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The Skinny About Dissolving Fat
From time to time, patients ask me whether the unwanted fat on their hips, or abdomen, or knees can be dissolved without surgery. Inevitably, they have read or heard about a procedure that accomplishes this in the popular press. I have even seen, over the years, patients that have had this procedure, called mesotherapy, and are now unfortunately suffering from some of its undesirable side effects.
Mesotherapy involves a series of injections of various substances that will dissolve fat cells. Over time, the body absorbs the by-products, and the fat in the area disappears. This treatment has been available in various parts of the world, including Europe, and increasingly in the United States, and has always been a source of controversy and speculation.
I recently came upon an interesting and alarming article detailing a study recently published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. This paper reported a series of difficult to treat infections after courses of mesotherapy in 16 patients. The authors noted that surgical drainage was the most effective in treating these infections.
Other important risks to note about mesotherapy are that it can result in prolonged swelling and redness in the area of injection, and residual lumpiness and unevenness can occur. The injection substances themselves are unregulated and vary from practitioner to practitioner. The procedure is not FDA approved and not recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
When it comes to mesotherapy – it is definitely an example of “if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.” For dissolving fat, nothing works better than a healthy diet and regular exercise, and maybe a little bit of liposuction, if all else fails!
Read the full article from Reuters : Fat-dissolving Procedure Carries Risk http://bit.ly/142Xiz
About Dr. Chang
Dr. Carolyn Chang is one of San Francisco’s premier plastic surgeons, known for delivering the most naturally beautiful results. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Chang serves as the Vice-Chairman for the Department of Plastic Surgery at California Pacific Medical Center.
Dr. Chang specializes in cosmetic surgery. In particular, her areas of expertise include natural facial rejuvenation and mommy makeover procedures. She is an expert in the natural SMAS-Platysma facelift and is known for delivering the most naturally beautiful results. She is also one of San Francisco’s premier mommy makeover specialists, specializing in breast surgery and body contouring and she currently performs one of the largest volumes in the area of post-pregnancy rejuvenation.
Dr. Chang’s aesthetic judgments and superb surgical skills have drawn attention from television producers, beauty editors, skin care companies, and professional associations who call upon her for her knowledge of plastic surgery advancements and professional expertise. CNN, The Doctors, and National Geographic have recently sought her professional expertise for their programming. Harper’s Bazaar Magazine named Dr. Chang on their Hot List of the 24 Best Beauty Surgeons, and W Magazine named Dr. Chang one of America’s top doctors for revisional plastic surgery.
Dr. Chang is known for her natural results and exceptional sense of aesthetics. With a “who’s who” roster of celebrity patients, including actors, musicians, artists, dignitaries, and socials, Dr. Chang is one of the country’s most sought-after plastic surgeons.
Dr. Chang and her husband Patrick King live in San Francisco, with the joy of their life, daughter Jacqueline.
For more information about Dr.Chang, please visit www.drcarolynchang.com.
