Mesotherapy

The art of reducing fat through small injections

Mesotherapy has long been an art in Europe and South America, where it has helped women achieve a reduction in cellulite and localized fat without surgery. Mesotherapy has recently been brought to the United States and is now being used here by many experienced plastic surgeons. Unlike liposuction, which involves the removal of unwanted fat cells, mesotherapy involves small injections which result in breakdown of fat cells. These injections include natural-occurring substances, such as phosphatidylcholine, which is present in all living tissues. When injected in fat and cellulite, however, the fat cells become inflamed and disrupted, and their contents (fat) gets carried away.

Mesotherapy can be applied for two main purposes…

Mesotherapy can be used to treat cellulite, which is where the greatest benefits are being achieved. Cellulite is due to superficial fat and causes puckering and dimpling of skin. Most women with cellulite can see visible improvement, and some see resolution of their cellulite, depending on the severity and extent of cellulite.

Mesotherapy can also be used to treat localized fat...which is the term plastic surgeons use to describe bulges....areas that go out instead of in. Liposuction can also be used to treat localized fat (see below).

So, mesotherapy can be used to treat cellulite, which results in smoother appearing skin, but no reduction in volume, or it can be used to treat localized fat, which results in a reduction of volume of fat, but no change in skin surface. It is also possible to treat both of these problems in the same body area (such as outer thighs), but it is recommended to address them at different treatment sessions to avoid over-treatment in any given area.

Liposuction Vs. Mesotherapy

Liposuction is capable of removing fat cells from mild, moderate, or significant areas of localized fat. It is very effective in doing so. Mesotherapy can only improve upon very mild areas of localized fat. Anyone with moderate or significant fat deposits will not see improvement. So, the bottom line is that mesotherapy is not a substitute for liposuction. If you need lipo, mesotherapy simply won't do it. This is because there is a limit to the amount of injection anyone can receive during any given treatment session.

How it is done (and recovery)

Mesotherapy is a procedure which is done without sedation or other forms of anesthesia. The injections are so small that many patients describe them as more of a nuisance than a discomfort. Whether you are seeking mesotherapy for localized fat or cellulite, only one treatment area is recommended at any given time (example: both hips, or both inner thighs, or abdomen). This is because the injections cause inflammation, redness, and burning about an hour after the injection has been performed. These symptoms last 1-3 days. If an excessive amount of injection is used, the symptoms can be more intense and last longer. One way to reduce your symptoms is to take benadryl every 6 hours for a few days after your injection. Also, some plastic surgeons prescribe steroids for a few days. This combination can markedly improve your symptoms.

After a few days, your redness and burning will probably be gone, but you might feel swollen and extra sensitive in the area of injection for several weeks. You should not have additional injections in the same area until your swelling and sensitivity have returned to normal.

A total of 2-3 sessions (at 6-12 week intervals) are recommended for cellulite and 3-5 sessions are recommended for localized fat.

Cost of Mesotherapy

As with all cosmetic procedures, costs vary. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 - $600 per sessions.

At The Loftus Plastic Surgery Center, the cost is $400 per session and $35 for a consultation, all of which are performed by our mesotherapy nurse specialist.

Liposuction

Tummy Tuck

Stretch Marks

Cellulite

Body Contouring Procedures

All Plastic Surgery Procedures