Mesotherapy versus liposuction

I get numerous emails from both women and men who want to get a liposuction procedure done so that they can lose weight without the pain of dieting and/or exercise. I guess we Americans like short cuts. (Related article: Can I have plastic surgery safely?)

Then there are those who are simply terrified of going under the knife. The thought that they might never return from the sleep in the surgery room is too scary for them, despite the fact that problems related to anesthesia are rare. These are the people who fall into the trap of diet pills (think TrimSpa) or all kinds of other solutions for weight loss that just don't work. (Related article: Plastic surgery goes mainstream)

One popular procedure among those who do not want a plastic surgery procedure is known as mesotherapy. All you need to do is to get a couple of injections and you are done. But not so fast. Mesotherapy is not necessarily a substitute for liposuction. According to a recent report published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), patients should be skeptical of mesotherapy until the safety and effectiveness of the procedure are confirmed. "The promise of a non-surgical, permanent method for fat removal and body contouring is obviously very appealing, but mesotherapy is not proven to be the miracle cure to a thinner you," said Dr. Alan Matarasso, study co-author. "The problem with mesotherapy is the whole technique is shrouded in mystery. Liposuction remains the only proven method to safely and permanently remove fat." (Related article: Liposuction safety)

Touted as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, mesotherapy involves injecting medications and plant extracts into layers of fat and connective tissue under the skin. The injected ingredients may include agents that are used to open blood vessels, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID), enzymes, nutrients, antibiotics and hormones.

Mesotherapy may be used in conjunction with dietary modification, hormone replacement therapy, exercise and nutritional supplements. No drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in mesotherapy.

Although the practice of mesotherapy has been around for decades in Europe, it has only recently been introduced in the United States. There are no published scientific studies demonstrating if the effects are permanent, why or if certain ingredients work, or how safe mesotherapy is for patients. In addition, there is no standardization in mesotherapy. The types of drugs used vary from physician to physician as does the quantity and frequency of injections.

Mesotherapy may cost $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment with three to six treatments required. This can prove costly for patients who may not receive the desired results. Currently, liposuction is the only method that has been proven to safely and effectively remove fat. According to ASPS statistics, liposuction was the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2004, with more than 325,000 procedures performed.

"Without data to support claims that mesotherapy works, the procedure appears to be a mystic type of therapy," said Dr. Susan Kaweski. "The DATA Committee has not seen any long-term studies that would prove mesotherapy actually removes fat from the body. We need to know a lot more about this procedure before plastic surgeons can endorse mesotherapy and recommend it to patients."

So if you are afraid of liposuction, then you must learn to diet and exercise, if you are serious about getting a great body.

Recommended articles

Plastic surgery - the perfect gift

Plastic surgery in Mexico

Plastic surgery overseas

Laser resurfacing procedures basics

Recently I had discussed laser treatments and laser mole removal. But like anything else in life, not everything is for everyone. So one needs to do in-depth research and work only with well-established doctors and plastic surgeons before making decisions about plastic surgery.

Let me share the experience of Carlita, a 40 year old Latina, who went to get laser resurfacing done to prevent cystic acne breakouts. She tells me, "My doctor said that this laser would also build collagen and improve the overall look of my skin. I was eager to get started. Unfortunately, I now have hyperpigmentation all over my face. I have stripes and swirls all over and I am horrified. My doctor says that it will fade with time. It has been two months already. How much longer do I have to wait to see results? It has been the most depressing, stressful time in my life. I look scary and skin whitening and bleaching creams aren't helping. I would appreciate any feedback or advice on how long should I expect this hyperpigmentation to last."

First of all, you have to understand that I am not a dermatologist or expert in laser procedures. This is not medical advice but some thoughts on how should you go about getting the right treatment. So, here are a few things for you to know about laser surgical procedures:

1. There are many types of laser procedures but generally they can be divided into ablative and non-ablative. Non-ablative lasers do not cause many reactions and are used in medical spas and plastic surgeon's office for the so called "lunch hour procedures." They can be used in facials to treat minor wrinkles and expression lines, improve skin texture, and overall rejuvenation. Ablative lasers, such as CO2 laser, have a deeper effect and are used for the treatment of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and scars including acne scars.
2. Lasers are, in general, not recommended for people with darker skin tones. Your doctor should have told you this if you have darker skin like many other Latinas.
3. The results of laser treatments take up to 6 months to be noticeable. Also, it takes up to a year to totally heal. In the case of hyperpigmentation, according to many doctors, it can take up to 2 years to disappear, but in most cases in about 3 to 4 months it goes away without any intervention (or in other words, use of skin whitening creams). So your doctor maybe right and the hyperpigmentation will go away in another one or two months.
   Hyperpigmentation is the biggest risk in laser treatment. Some people get it but most do not. Most doctors think it is genetic; so if your relatives have it, you have a higher risk.
4. I assume that you are using a strong sunblock. Our recommendation will be 45 SPF or higher. Doctors say that from 30 SPF and up, the protection is almost the same. I still believe that the higher the better. You should use it often during the day if you live in a very sunny area. Avoid any skin irritants, such as products with strong fragrance, any AHA or similar peelings.
5. It is too early to start applying bleaching/whitening creams. Your skin has to heal and these creams are very irritating. Also, if your skin is darker, try not to use anything containing hydroquinone. Consult your doctor on this.
6. My final recommendation will be that you try to go to another doctor for a second opinion and consider legal action against the previous doctor, if appropriate.

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this, but do not get discouraged. Try to use makeup to cover your skin. Go to a Mac or Sephora store and get a makeover. Buy the right foundation and concealers for you. Try to eat right and take all the nutrients your skin needs to heal. The better your health and emotional well being, the better you will heal. And remember, there are many treatments and many more are coming, so if the hyperpigmentation remains you can try something else.

Recommended article: Plastic surgery safety

Plastic surgery is a perfect gift these days

There is no doubt that plastic surgery is now mainstream but apart from why people have plastic surgery it is important to study other trends in plastic surgery. In a recent survey by American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), some findings emerged that are very interesting:

1. Nearly half of the surveyed surgeons have seen facial plastic surgery given as a gift in the past year. So next time you wonder what an appropriate gift for your spouse can be, do not fret. Simply order a gift certificate for Botox or even liposuction or tummy tuck. And if you never liked the way her/his nose looked, well consider rhinoplasty.
2. Teens undergoing cosmetic surgery. In many reality television programs I have seen mother and daughter having surgery done at the same time. Some kind of bonding experience for women in this century. The question is When is the right time for plastic surgery. If you don't like something about your body, why don't you fix it with plastic surgery as early as possible? May be yes, but in many cases young people are not always mature enough to appreciate the implications of plastic surgery.
3. Nearly equal in popularity are couples that chose to refresh their appearance together. Aha! So if you think your marriage is on the rocks, how about some plastic surgery!
4. Medical spas also continue to rise in popularity with 14 percent of surgeons saying they perform non-invasive procedures in this setting. So apart from a facial, manicure, or hair color, why not some laser treatments too?
5. As reported in previous years, women tend to be the most likely candidates for facial cosmetic surgery -- nearly eight in ten facial cosmetic procedures(78 percent) were performed on women. The most common surgical procedures for females were eyelid surgery, nose surgery and facelifts, while non-surgical procedures included Botox, filler injections, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. Botox for women showed a 92 percent increase from last year.
6. Not surprising, the majority of surgeons say that patients are not requesting specific celebrity features when they come in for cosmetic surgery, but rather view themselves as individuals and do not identify with celebrities. However, when asked, some men specifically desire Brad Pitt's features (7 percent), particularly his nose, as well as George Clooney's appearance (3 percent). Women most desire Angelina Jolie's lips (11 percent), while three percent mention features of Nicole Kidman, particularly her cheeks and nose.

Related articles

Plastic surgery in Mexico

Plastic surgery overseas

Recovery from plastic surgery

Links

AAFPRS