It can be frustrating to try to lose weight. Even if you eat well and work out regularly, you may still have some stubborn fat deposits that just won’t go away.

Some people think about liposuction to get rid of those last few pounds, but going under the knife has its own risks. Cool sculpting is another choice, but it doesn’t work for everything. Injection lipolysis, or fat-dissolving injections, are another way to get rid of stubborn fat for people who don’t like the idea of surgery.

What are Fat Dissolving Injections?

It might seem like all your body wants to do is make you fat, but every day, your digestive system breaks down fat. Your body makes bile acids like cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid to break down the fats in the food you eat. The same chemical, deoxycholic acid, is used in injection lipolysis to kill fat cells in other parts of your body.

The idea behind fat-melting injections is to use the same process that happens in your intestines to break down fat deposits in other parts of your body. Kybella, which is approved by the FDA, and Aqualyx, which is not approved by the FDA but is available in many other countries around the world, are the two main treatments that can be used.

Since fat-dissolving injections use a modified form of bile acid to break down fat pockets, the broken-down fat cells and the chemical used for the treatment can both be removed by the lymphatic system. This is one of the things that can’t be done with the treatment because your body can only get rid of so much fat at one time. Because of this, injection lipolysis is usually done over a number of shots.

With injectables like Kybella or Aqualyx, you don’t have to worry about the risks of surgery that come with even minor liposuction. Most people don’t need much time off, and the side effects aren’t usually bad for most people. Still, some people may be allergic to the ingredients in the injection, and the procedure could damage nerves.

It’s important to keep in mind that treatments like Kybella are very different from options like Wegovy, which is a drug that is injected into the body and is meant to change how the body uses energy. Wegovy works by making insulin work better, changing how glucose is made, and doing other things to help people stop eating and control their blood sugar levels. All of these things can help reduce fat gain instead of taking fat away directly.

Getting Rid of That Double Chin

As a way to change the shape of the body, fat removal with injectables isn’t meant to get rid of a lot of extra weight. Aqualyx and Kybella are cosmetic procedures that are used to get rid of fat in certain parts of the body. They are not as invasive as other weight loss procedures that are meant to help people lose a lot of weight. Instead of fixing a high BMI, injectables are used to change the shape of the jawline or get rid of stubborn love handles.

The dreaded double chin is one of the body parts that gets the most attention. This fat under the chin or in the jowls is called submental fat. It can be hard to get rid of, and some people are just more likely to have it. Small amounts of deoxycholic acid can be injected under the jaw in a series of injections to break down fat cells. Since important nerves run along the jaw, there is a small chance that the injections could damage those nerves.

Fat dissolving injections can also be used to treat stubborn fat around the waist, also called “love handles” or “muffin top,” as well as extra fat under the arms. Even though these parts of the body are bigger and can hold more fat than the chin, getting rid of fat with injections should still be thought of as a way to shape the body rather than a way to lose weight. Diet, exercise, and living a healthy life are still the best ways to get rid of extra body fat.

Exactly how Long Do Fat-Dissolving Injections Work?

Some people may always feel the effects of injections that melt fat, such as Kybella or Aqualyx. If your weight stays the same and you don’t gain weight, it’s unlikely that your body will replace fat stores that have been lost. If, on the other hand, you gain a lot of weight after your injections, your body may start to store new fat in the area that was treated.

Even though fat-dissolving injections can have long-lasting effects, there is no better way to lose weight than to eat well and exercise a lot. Long-term weight loss takes work, and even though injection lipolysis kills fat cells, they don’t grow back. However, if you start gaining weight again after treatment, those unwanted fat deposits may come back. This is why it is important, no matter what treatment you are thinking about, to stick to a diet that is high in healthy fats, low in carbs, and free of sugars and processed foods.

Are injections that burn fat safe?

No medical procedure is completely risk-free, from major surgeries to small injections. People often use the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a measure of how safe something is. In this case, fat-dissolving injections get a mixed report card. Kybella is something that the FDA approved in 2015. On the other hand, Auqalyx has not been approved by the FDA.

When given to the right people and given the right way, fat-melting injections usually don’t cause many problems or side effects. Still, there are some people who shouldn’t use fat-melting injections. You shouldn’t get injections that break down fat if:

• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you have lipodystrophy (the inability to produce fat)
• you are prone to infections or have skin diseases
• you have any fat processing disorder

There are a few things to think about when deciding whether or not injectables are the right choice for you. Some people can’t get lasting results because their skin isn’t flexible enough or their weight changes too much.

Age is a factor, and most doctors don’t recommend these injections for people over 60. Older people’s skin often loses its elasticity, and when fat is taken away, the skin around the face can become loose. In the same way, getting fat-reducing injections might not be the best idea if you are still having trouble gaining weight.

Body Contouring Versus Weight Loss Procedures

Small parts of the body can be fixed with cosmetic procedures like Aqualf, but it’s a different story to get to a healthy weight and stay there for good. Diet and exercise will always be the most important parts of a long-term plan to lose weight, but for some people, these are not enough. For these people, the next step might be to look into weight loss surgery.

In the past few years, weight loss methods have come a long way. The gastric bypass was once thought to be the best option, but as more information comes in, it’s becoming clear that the long-term risks of this type of surgery may outweigh the benefits.