Fat Dissolving Injection at a Glance
The fat dissolving injection contains active ingredients that specifically target and break down fat cells, stimulating the body to naturally eliminate them.
Common treatment areas for fat dissolving injections include the abdomen, hips, thighs, double chin, and upper arms.
Visible results typically require multiple sessions of fat dissolving injections, usually ranging from 3 to 5 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
The treatment requires no downtime, allowing you to resume your normal activities immediately.
Common side effects of fat dissolving injections include swelling, redness, burning, and itching. These symptoms may persist for several days following the treatment.
The cost of fat dissolving injection treatment starts at approximately €220 per session (indicative price, individual billing according to GOÄ).
Who is the Fat-Melting Treatment Suitable For?
The fat-dissolving injection, also known as “injection lipolysis” or the “fat-melting” treatment, is an effective solution for addressing excess fat deposits. This procedure involves the injection of a specific substance under the skin, which dissolves and breaks down fat cells.
Fat-melting via injection closely resembles the natural fat-burning mechanism in the human body. It is a minimally invasive treatment, making it suitable for patients who prefer to avoid surgery. It carries minimal risks and has few significant side effects.
It is important to emphasize that the effectiveness of this treatment depends on various factors and cannot be guaranteed. Results may vary from patient to patient and are typically achieved over multiple sessions. Therefore, the degree of success ultimately relies on the patience and perseverance of the patients.
Effective Against Localized Fat Deposits
For individuals who wish to eliminate a double chin or reduce abdominal fat while being otherwise satisfied with their appearance, there has long been a dilemma. Targeted fat loss in specific body areas has not been feasible. Although creating an energy deficit through diet and exercise can lead to overall fat burning, it is impossible to predict which fat deposits the body will utilize and metabolize. Whether you will lose more belly fat, get rid of excess chin fat, or tone up thick upper arms remains uncertain.
Until a few years ago, the only solution for those aiming to lose fat in a specific area, such as getting rid of a stubborn belly fold that persists despite numerous diets and countless sit-ups, was liposuction.
Fat-Melting Treatment Mimics Natural Fat Burning
Extensive research has been conducted to find alternatives, and the fat-melting injection has emerged as a breakthrough solution. Its active ingredient can selectively burn localized fat with precise accuracy, offering a natural and relatively risk-free method. Moreover, the cost-benefit ratio of the fat-dissolving injection is highly appealing.
The fat reduction triggered by a fat-melting treatment closely resembles the process that occurs during natural fat burning in the human body. This is one of the reasons why serious incidents have hardly ever been reported since the introduction of the treatment.
Fat-Melting Treatment Requires Patience
As the treatment mimics the natural process of the body’s fat metabolism, it does not yield dramatic overnight results. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks after the initial treatment for the first signs of fat reduction to become noticeable.
Additionally, the treatment needs to be repeated to achieve visibly significant results. Typically, it is recommended to undergo 3 to 4 sessions, with intervals of 6 to 8 weeks between each session. Some may perceive this as a disadvantage of the fat-dissolving injection. However, it is important to recognize that fat-melting takes time. Nonetheless, this treatment avoids the risks and high costs associated with surgical interventions like liposuction.
Particularly for individuals with a normal weight, this treatment option becomes an interesting choice for eliminating excess fat in problem areas that cannot be addressed through exercise and diet.
Fat-Dissolving Injections Do Not Replace Dieting
First and foremost, injection lipolysis is not intended for weight reduction. A suitable diet is the adequate method for addressing weight-related concerns. Furthermore, it is not an efficient approach for removing larger fat deposits without dieting, typically found in the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Individuals seeking quick results in these areas would be better advised to consider liposuction.
When Fat-Melting Treatment is Contraindicated
It is critical to note that pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as individuals with diabetes and vascular diseases (microangiopathies), are absolute contraindications for the fat-dissolving injection. The treatment is relatively contraindicated in cases of autoimmune diseases (e.g., scleroderma), severe liver or kidney disease, allergies to any of the ingredients, or coagulation disorders.
5-Step Treatment Process
The treatment with the fat-dissolving injection follows a five-step process in my practice in Munich. Typically, I recommend a superficial anesthesia using lidocaine cream, which requires approximately 30 minutes of application time. Overall, the fat-melting treatment takes about an hour, or slightly longer for initial appointments. Patient comfort is important to me, so I allocate sufficient time for the procedure. Local anesthesia may be omitted for small treatment areas.
Consultation
The first step involves a thorough discussion of the patient’s current situation and aesthetic goals. What is the desired outcome of the treatment? Is the goal realistically achievable? If all questions are satisfactorily answered, the patient then signs a consent form for the treatment and a fee agreement. Subsequent “surprises” are excluded. This step typically takes 15 to 30 minutes for new patients.
Local Anesthesia
Since the fat-dissolving injection involves multiple punctures, I recommend a local anesthesia with lidocaine cream. It requires a 30-minute application time to take effect.
Cleaning & Disinfection
Thorough cleansing and disinfection of the treatment area are essential to prevent bacterial infections.
Injection
The actual injection process is relatively quick and typically takes no longer than 15 minutes. The injection needles I use are very thin. For larger treatment areas, I may use a special attachment that allows for simultaneous administration of five injections, if it is well tolerated by the patient.
Aftercare & Control
After the injection, we will take a look in the mirror together to do a brief check to ensure that everything is okay, and the results meet your expectations – and then we’re done. Due to the numerous injections, your skin may be significantly reddened. Bruising (hematomas) is also possible. Additionally, the treated area may experience noticeable swelling. These symptoms typically subside within 3–5 days.
How Much Does the Fat Dissolving Injection Cost?
The following prices are indicative and for orientation only. Individual treatment costs are always calculated and billed according to the German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ). Therefore, they may differ from the indicative prices, even significantly. Please note that public and private health insurance providers will generally not reimburse the costs of a fat-melting treatment.
Treatment | Indicative price in € (incl. VAT) |
---|---|
Double chin | 220-390 |
Belly | 800-1200 |
Hips | 800-1200 |
Upper arms | 390-1200 |
Lipomastia (man breasts) | 850-1200 |
Pubic mound | 220-390 |
Consultation | 75 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
The variant of the fat-dissolving injection that I use off-label in my practice in Munich contains a compound developed by the Lipolysis Department of Network Global Health, a global association of physicians. It is a combination of phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and deoxycholic acid (DOC). The FDA-approved medication KYBELLA (Allergan) and the medical device AQUALYX (Marllor Biomedical) have introduced alternative formulations on the market that solely rely on DOC as the active component. Treatment protocols as well as achievable results, by my judgement, are similar to the fat-melting treatment described in this article.
Typical side effects include redness, swelling, and bruising. Additionally, there may be burning and itching sensations. Generally, these symptoms subside within 3–5 days. In rare cases, persistent redness, permanent nodules, and indentations due to uneven fat reduction may occur, as well as vegetative disturbances such as temporary lightheadedness, increased sweating, nausea, diarrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, and allergic reactions. In cases of poor tissue blood flow, there is a low risk of necrosis.
Yes, injection lipolysis has also shown good results in the treatment of cellulite (gynoid lipodystrophy). For cellulite treatment, the combination of active ingredients is distributed superficially at numerous injection points throughout the targeted area. The results achieved can vary from case to case. However, there is no guarantee of treatment success, as is the case with most therapies. Some reports have described reductions of 50% or more, while other treatments have fallen short of expectations.
The Lipolysis Network, an association of physicians specializing in the treatment and development of the fat-dissolving injection, has advised against treatment in only three cases: the under-eye bags in the facial region, the inner knees, and the ankle area. Additionally, in my clinic in Munich, I do not perform treatments in the upper cheek area near the eye region.
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Are you looking to finally get rid of your double chin without undergoing surgery? Then you’ve come to the right place with Dr. Eva Maria Strobl. She offers an innovative solution with the fat-dissolving injection to reduce excess fat tissue under your chin. In this article, you’ll discover whether the fat-dissolving injection could be the right solution for you.
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About the author:
Dr. med. univ. Eva Maria Strobl is the owner of LIPS and SKIN Aesthetic Medicine practice in Munich. She is a trained specialist in general medicine (MedUni Vienna) and has over 10 years of specialization in non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Dr. Strobl is a member of the German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Therapy e.V. (DGBT), the German Society of Anti-Aging Medicine e.V. (GSAAM) and of Network Global Health. She publishes regularly on her blog and on DocCheck.