Lipodissolve, also called mesotherapy, is a process by which drugs are injected directly into fatty tissuewhere they can break down the fat. Once broken down, the fat is flushed from the body. Proponents of this treatment tout it as a non-surgical, and therefore safer, alternative to liposuction. But can such claims reasonably be made right now? The answer has just come from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): No!
In early April the FDA sent a warning letter to several websites and practitioners who promote lipodissolve. It turns out that while several of these individuals are claiming that the procedure is safe and effective, the FDA has not evaluated or approved the treatment for use; this is a big no-no in the medical field. The letter goes on to state that “the FDA is not aware of any credible scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of any of these substances for fat elimination, and their safety when used alone or in combination is unknown.”
The FDA decided to take action on lipodissolve after it received several reports of patients who had suffered various adverse and potentially permanent effects from the lipodissolve chemicals and procedures. These effects included scarring, skin deformation, and deep, painful knots under the skin. In addition to the FDA, several prominent medical associations have also issued warnings about lipodissolve: American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).
Liposuction, unlike lipodissolve, has been proven to be safe and effective through numerous placebo-controlled studies. Until the FDA, or medical science, is able to confirm the claims of lipodissolve proponents, it should not be considered to be a safe or effective alternative to liposuction. Of course, a board-certified doctor will be able to answer all of your questions about lipodissolve and liposuction, and will be able to guide you to the process that will give you the safest and most reliable results.