Introduction
Today, surely there is no need to explain what liposuction is as most people already know. A thing however that needs explanation is the difference between liposuction (surgical removal of fat cells through cannulaes) and mesotherapy (removal of excessive fat through injections, no narcosis or surgery is needed). If you are given just this information, then naturally a person considering a fat removal surgery requires the second, easier way – MESOTHERAPY.
The mesotherapy principle
As opposed to liposuction that mechanically sucks excessive amount of fat cells out of the body through the cannulaes, mesotherapy dissolves these fat cells, but they are not removed. What happens is that through multiple injections a special solution is injected into the fat pockets, dissolving the fat. A logical question now takes place. How can any effect come when the fat, however dissolved, remains in the body? The answer is not that complicated. Your normal body waste system makes sure that the fat is excreted from the body.
We mentioned some “buts” in the introduction. For one thing the result does not come after one treatment as with classic liposuction, but it is necessary to repeat them – 4-5 times, with a one week gap between these. But mainly, mesotherapy enables to remove only small fat deposits!
Am I a suitable candidate?
Who is in fact a suitable candidate for mesotherapy? Usually only very slim patients with normal weight and BMI of 25 at the most, who have a well shaped figure apart from localised fat deposits (double chin, small underbelly, small pockets of fat in the inner knee area etc.) Any bigger or more extensive fat surpluses or excess fat corresponding to overweight must be treated with a classic liposuction procedure.
What does the surgery involve?
It is an outpatient procedure. This means that an anaesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area, which makes the skin numb after 30-45 minutes after application. After that the skin is disinfected and fat-dissolving injection application takes place. What happens is that using a very tiny needle the solution is injected fairly deeply into the undesirable fat layer. These multiple injections, due to the ointment, are painless and it is only seldom that patients report slight stinging or pressure.
Is anaesthesia used?
Yes, it is so-called topic anaesthesia. An anaesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area so that the multiple injections through the skin do not cause you any pain. The ointment takes about 30-40 minutes before it makes the skin numb in the particular area.
How long does the procedure take?
If we subtract the time needed for anaesthetising the skin – that is 30 – 40 minutes, then a single application into one area takes roughly only 10 minutes. When treating more areas the time multiplies accordingly. Generally speaking, one treatment takes approximately one hour.
If you want to know, however, how long the whole treatment lasts, then we must take into account the fact that the effect will come only if you have at least for such treatments, in some cases five, always with a gap of a week between each session.
What happens after the surgery?
With a bit of exaggeration we can say that virtually nothing. After the surgery the areas are not bandaged not even glued and you are discharged, no need to be accompanied. You may experience minor pressure, but not pain, in the treated area after the anaesthetic has subsided. Analgesics are not required. The skin is red from multiple injections.
What kind of after effects shall I expect?
Immediately after surgery the skin is red from injections and sometimes slight swelling occurs. In the following few days minor bruising may appear in the injection areas.
Is it painful?
With mesotherapy we cannot talk about pain. At the worst, the application can be desribed as – sometimes not an entirely pleasant feeling.
What could go wrong?
We have not encountered any complications with this procedure so far.
Is it possible that the fat will come back?
As with classic liposuction, the result is permanent providing the patient maintains his weight. It is logical that no surgery can have a permanent result if the patients himself is not disciplined in terms of diet and exercise.
Are there any scars left?
There are not any and it is not even possible since the application of fat-dissolving solution is given with a very tiny injection needle.
How long before I can get back to normal?
Your normal daily routine is not affected by this procedure at all. It is only that in the first 48 hours following surgery it is advisable to avoid any strenous physical activity.
Summary
Mesotherapy is a simple injection outpatient procedure that enables us to remove or correct minor fat deposits without the necessity of classic surgery. In no case, however, should mesotherapy be treated as the substitution for a classic liposuction method, it is only its “supplement”. Just to give you an idea: only 10 percent (at the most!) of all candidates for fat removal surgery are suitable for mesotherapy, and the rest (90 percent of patients) are recommended to undergo a liposuction procedure to correct their fat deposits.
Do you find this information a bit confusing? Don’t worry. Which procedure is the most suitable for you will be discussed and then determined at the time of your consultation.