Mesotherapy (Fat Dissolving)
Fat-dissolving and skin-tightening procedures for body contouring that are less invasive can seem very appealing when weighed against other invasive options, such as liposuction. Some of the latest innovations include mesotherapy (lipodissolve), which involves the injection of various cocktails into the skin to dissolve fat, Thermage (also known as Thermacool or Thermalift), which uses radiofrequency to tighten facial skin for a "nonsurgical" face-lift, and LipoSonix, which uses high-intensity ultrasound to target and destroy fat cells.
Pioneered by the French physician Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952, Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that is widely used in Europe and elsewhere to treat various injuries and medical conditions. This medical specialty targets problem areas with microinjections of conventional or homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Tiny "medicinal bullets" are delivered directly into the mesoderm (middle layer of skin) that are highly specific to the condition being treated. Among its many applications, Mesotherapy can be used for the following:
Mesotherapy has long been an art in Europe and South America, where it has helped women achieve a reduction in cellulite and localized fat without surgery. Mesotherapy has recently been brought to the United States and is now being used here by many experienced plastic surgeons. Unlike liposuction, which involves the removal of unwanted fat cells, mesotherapy involves small injections which result in breakdown of fat cells. These injections include natural-occurring substances, such as phosphatidylcholine, which is present in all living tissues. When injected in fat and cellulite, however, the fat cells become inflamed and disrupted, and their contents (fat) gets carried away.
Mesotherapy can be applied for two main purposes
Mesotherapy can be used to treat cellulite, which is where the greatest benefits are being achieved. Cellulite is due to superficial fat and causes puckering and dimpling of skin. Most women with cellulite can see visible improvement, and some see resolution of their cellulite, depending on the severity and extent of cellulite.
Mesotherapy can also be used to treat localized fat...which is the term plastic surgeons use to describe bulge areas that go out instead of in. Liposuction can also be used to treat localized fat (see below).
So, mesotherapy can be used to treat cellulite, which results in smoother appearing skin, but no reduction in volume, or it can be used to treat localized fat, which results in a reduction of volume of fat, but no change in skin surface. It is also possible to treat both of these problems in the same body area (such as outer thighs), but it is recommended to address them at different treatment sessions to avoid over-treatment in any given area.
Liposuction Vs. Mesotherapy
Liposuction is capable of removing fat cells from mild, moderate, or significant areas of localized fat. It is very effective in doing so. Mesotherapy is generally used to improve upon very mild areas of localized fat.
How it is done and Recovery
Mesotherapy is a procedure which is done without sedation or other forms of anesthesia. The injections are so small that many patients describe them as more of a nuisance than a discomfort. Whether you are seeking mesotherapy for localized fat or cellulite, only one treatment area is recommended at any given time (example: both hips, or both inner thighs, or abdomen). This is because the injections cause inflammation, redness, and burning about an hour after the injection has been performed. These symptoms last 1-3 days. If an excessive amount of injection is used, the symptoms can be more intense and last longer.
After a few days, your redness and burning will probably be gone, but you might feel swollen and extra sensitive in the area of injection for several weeks. You should not have additional injections in the same area until your swelling and sensitivity have returned to normal.
A total of 2-3 sessions (at 6-12 week intervals) are recommended for cellulite and 3-5 sessions are recommended for localized fat.