HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE
WORK?
The procedure utilizes the injection of a variety of
injections in various combinations into the middle level of the
skin. Hence, the term “meso”or Greek for middle. These injectable
medications are prescription medications as the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) considers these substances, once injected, to
be drugs.
The injected material stays in the
middle layer of the skin where there are few dangers of other organs
being affected. The needles used for mesotherapy are 6mm or less in
length or less than one half inch in length. In contrast, the
needles or used in traditional liposuction which carries a much
greater danger. Liposuction can and does cause death in patients.
Injections with 6mm needles used in mesotherapy/liposculpture
generally do not kill anyone.
Anytime that something is injected into the skin it becomes
surgical. It is also a cosmetic procedure. The trend in cosmetic
surgery today is towards less invasive techniques for safety reasons
and also due to the fact that the best candidates for mesotherapy
are also the best candidates for liopsuction. The difference is the
considerably lessened surgical risk factor involved.
The injected material in mesotherapy stays in the middle
layer of the skin where there are few dangers of other organs being
affected. The needles used for mesotherapy are 6mm or less in length
or less than one half inch in length. In contrast, the needles or
used in traditional liposuction carry a much greater danger.
Liposuction can and does cause death in patients. Injections with
6mm needles used in mesotherapy/liposculpture generally do not
“kill” anyone.
WHAT DRUGS ARE INJECTED?
There are a variety of drugs and drug combinations that can
be injected.
In medicine many medications are often used in alternative
ways for which they are not approved. This is called “ off
label” use and is quite common. If such drugs were not approved
drugs in one form or another they would not be available for
purchase by any physician or sold by any compounding pharmacy.
Areas injected with the various solutions generally start
“dissolving” first by getting softer. After several injections the
area generally becomes noticeable thinner. This will depend upon the
individual case and does require monitoring through individual
consultation.
One of the nicer factors involved with mesotherapy is the
fact that we can also inject various substances to enhance the
visual effect of your skin and nourish the skin and give the
appearance of a more youthful skin. This cannot be done with
liposuction which only withdraws fat cells.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF
MESOTHERAPY/LIPOSCULPTURE?
Side effects are generally mild and self limited. They
include initial increase swelling in the area(due to the addition of
added fluid to the area ),bruising, some itchiness in the area
injected and some increase in heat in the area injected. The side
effects are generally very mild and short lived.
The duration of the effect of liposculpture (mesotherapy)
is the same as with liposuction i.e. permanent with the use of
sensible diet and exercise.
TRADITIONAL LIPOSUCTION(suction
assisted lipectomy)
Liposuction uses a large trocar or large cutting instrument
with a central clear area in order to withdraw substances from the
body. Through the central portion of this instrument come the fat
cells.
Traditional liposuction risks involve asymmetry, rippling or
bagginess of skin, pigmentation changes, skin injury, fluid
retention, excessive fluid loss leading to shock, infection,
sometimes thermal injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound
device. The recovery time is back to work one to two weeks with no
strenuous activity for 2 to 4 weeks. Occasionally, general
anesthetic is used depending upon what is being
done.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
THEN?
The difference in mesotherapy is the general lack of down
time and lack of need for general anesthesia. Weeks off from work is
usually required in traditional liposuction but is not necessary
with mesotherapy/liposculpture. Because the procedure does not
involve an aggressive invasion of the body, the patient may go back
to work the same day. The concept behind mesotherapy/liposculture is
an example of biochemistry in action. There is a short wait for the
chemistry to take effect, and the results can be
considerable!
Criticism of this technique is leveled because of the lack of
“scientific evidence of the safety and efficacy”. The truth of the
matter is that surgery itself has a scientific exclusion.
Surgery, because of its’ very nature, does not have to be proven in
advance with “scientific evidence of safety and
efficacy”.
Where is the
research on safety and efficacy for liposuction in advance of its
introduction in this country? Surgical devices,
however, have to be proven and approved to be
sold.
Mesotherapy can treat larger and smaller areas than
traditional liposuction. We can treat jowls on a face, double chin
syndrome, “love handles”, thighs. We can rejuvenate the skin’s
appearance with chemistry.
Botox® injections are really a variety of mesotherapy type
injections. Botox generally is injected into the subcutaneous
tissues. Mesotherapy actually goes slightly higher up in the skin
surface. This is just a factor to consider when approaching the
comments of some naysayers on this procedure.
GIVE US A CALL!!!!
If you decide that this procedure is for you, please give
this office a call for your consultation.
The surgical fee will vary according
to the area treated, the number of sessions, and the complexity of
the procedure. Multiple sessions of this treatment are required for
results.
