Fat Loss Is Only A Few Injections Away

The battle is the same but the weapons are changing. Since the beginning of February 2003, Dr. Barry Lycka has started to use a new cosmetic technique to tackle upper arms that flap, inner thighs that jiggle and those love handles that no one loves. Instead of going under the knife, a growing number of Edmontonians are tackling fat with a series of injections. The procedure is called mesotherapy/ lippodissolve therapy and it is taking North America by storm.
Doctor Lycka has successfully treated 100's of patients and has found 9/10 of those treated respond, often with dramatic results.

Why is it so popular?

It is a simpler, less invasive technique to liposuction; it melts away cellulite and unwanted inches but doesn't require patients to take days or weeks off work.

"It's a highly precise technique. It can shape bodies is a softer, more controlled way than I can with liposuction." says Lycka.

Take for example Jane who is now 49. She had three liposuction procedures and got great results - for liposuction. But some irregularities remained and they were impossible to remove further with liposuction. With just two sessions of mesotherapy/lipodissolve (combined in alternate two week sessions of endermologie -a suction assisted massage) - the irregularities melted away - leaving the patient thrilled. "I am so glad Dr. Lycka brings on these new therapies - just when aging forces me to need them."

And take the example of Denise, a 39 year old secretary. Originally a size 13 - she now is a size 9 thanks to mesotherapy/lipodissolve and Endermologie. And take the example of Indra. At the age of 55 she looks great and even still participates in the sport of ballroom dancing. But her upper abdomen would not respond to exercise and dieting. With two treatments of mesotherapy/lipodissolve - her upper abdomen is significantly better.

And Dr. Lycka is glad this is working so well. An 18 year veteran of liposuction procedures - Dr. Lycka is finally doing less. Accustomed to doing up to 8 liposuction procedures a week, this very physical procedure has taken its toll on Lycka's body - leaving him with a chronic shoulder injury from the constant movement required in liposuction.

"When my friend Dr. Tony Lockwood - a plastic surgeon from Winnipeg - introduced me to this procedure - I said "Wow". I originally was a skeptic - but in a few short months I have become an advocate. Why? This really works. But don't believe me - ask Jane, Indra and Denise."

Liposuction removes fat cells through a suctioning procedure whereas mesotherapy/lipodissolve involves injections into the mesoderm - the middle fat layer of the skin - with special ingredients that break down the fat cell membrane and let the fat out. Original techniques of this developed in France in the 1950's by Dr. Michel Pistor and they were accepted as part of the regular armentarium of French medicine in 1988.

But the North American experience began when Dr. Lionel Bissoon, who learned the technique in France about 6 years ago, began treating patients. The most famous is Roberta Flack (who is famous for "Killing Me Softly With His Song") who had a long battle with extra pounds and felt that the extra pounds were indeed killing her softly. Since starting mesotherapy/lipodissolve - along with exercise and changing her diet - Flack lost 40 pounds.

Recently, the modern era of lipodissolve therapy began when the European community began investigating this treatment.Last year over 18,000 people were treated, with a 93% response rate.

Two people chosen by 20/20 were treated during a show in 2003. One was Josselyne Herman-Saccio, a 35 year old mother of two. After six weeks she lost 3 or 4 inches from her waist and three or four in her hips. Another was Katie Noonan- Ewald , a 32 year old business executive. In 12 weeks she lost 24 inches from her waist and another 12 inches from her hips, legs, and saddlebag area, according to Bissoon's records.

"Although injections may seem strange to some patients, we have been using injections in dermatology for years" says Lycka. Some scars - keloids and hypertrophic scars for example - literally melt away with injections of cortisone. mesotherapy/lipodissolve injections are not that much different."

Where the fat goes

Once broken down, the fat ends up in the bloodstream. There it is either burned as energy or excreted. To hasten this, injections of multivitamins and diets consisting of bulk are suggested.

Still, some controversy surrounds some of the injections found in the technique. Phosphotidylcholine, one of the ingredients that break down the fat cell membrane, has been banned in Brazil, an investigation by the television show 60 minutes found.

Lycka says this restriction arose when citizens were using the medicine in an unsafe manner. For example, the procedures were so popular in Brazil; they were being done in the back rooms of hair salons. "Any medication, when not used safely - can be dangerous," says Lycka.

More recently, experiments have tried treatments with and without phosphotidylcholine and this chemical can probably be omitted.

What a treatment is like

"The injections themselves sting very little because very tiny needles are used" says Lycka. "But then the medication burns likes fire ants under the skin for 20 minutes." For a few days there's bruising and swelling and the discomfort can last for a few weeks. Recently, new advances have made this treatment much less painful and more predictable.

Denise, Dr. Lycka's patient, says, "It is that bad. I'm melting fat while I'm sitting, sleeping, and walking. What could be better?"

So for most - the little bit of pain is worth it. Why? Results start to be visible in as little as 72 hours. And with successive treatments, the results are cumulative. Compare this with the results of liposuction which take a good month to achieve - and there's the surgical recovery that's necessary.

Who gets mesotherapy/lipodissolve?

Contrary to popular belief, mesotherapy/ lipodissolve is not just for people with too much money and not enough motivation to shed pounds the old - fashioned way - with diet and exercising. Nor is it just for the vain.

In fact, Dr. Lycka has treated many people of different walks of life. Many of his clients are devoted athletes who exercise hours everyday. "Unfortunately, fat happens," says Lycka. "From the hockey player to the ballerina. The body is built so that you cannot directly burn the fat on top of a muscle by exercising the muscle below it."

Who are the most common customers?

Career women and men- who don't want the hassle of booking time off work or take time from their regular activities - make up the majority of Lycka's clientele.

The visit

The injections, followed by a shot of multivitamins, take about 5 minutes, and offer an alternative to the 3 hour - or more - liposuction procedure. "It's lunch time lipo," says Lycka.

The costs

Packages of four treatments are recommended per area. Costs will be determined by number of treatments purchased and number of areas treated. These costs may only be quoted during a consultation with Dr. Lycka.

What areas can be treated?

The abdomen, especially the upper, the flanks, the neck, the lower lids, the inner thighs, the knees, the saddlebags and the inferior buttocks are the best areas for treatment but other areas such as the arms, the jowls, areas under the bra, can all be treated.

Making an Appointment

If any of this appeals to you, you should phone Dr. Lycka's office immediately at 1-780-425-1212 to avoid disappointment as procedures are very popular.