ASPS And American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Offer Patient Advisory For Those Affected By Fig LipoDissolve Closures

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 17 Dec 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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Responding to recent reports of the Fig LipoDissolve Centers going into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) offers the following advice to patients currently in treatment there or suffering from unwanted outcomes. Although neither Society recommends the use of injection lipolysis for fat reduction until appropriate research has documented the safety and efficacy of this non-FDA-approved treatment information is available for those patients needing help.

- If you are in the middle of lipolysis treatment and have concerns:

Contact ASAPS at 1.888.272.7711 or http://www.surgery.org or ASPS at http://www.plasticsurgery.org to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can provide you with safe options for continuing your body contouring process.

- If you are in pain, have a complication such as swelling or bleeding or need immediate attention; please contact your nearest hospital emergency room.

- If you are seeking body contouring or are considering your various options please remember the following:

All procedures involving injecting pharmaceutical or other agents into the body are medical procedures and need to be conducted in an appropriate medical setting by a physician. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can help you weigh your options to achieve the optimal outcome you desire.

The ASPS and ASAPS do not recommend that their patients undergo injection lipolysis treatments.

All medical procedures have risks. If you decide a procedure is right for you, make sure you have done your homework, that the procedure has been fully explained by your healthcare provider and that you have thoroughly read and signed informed consent documents.

"The proliferation of advertising of such treatments and the abrupt closing of Fig LipoDissolve Centers nationwide has raised many questions from both patients considering treatment, and those who have already been injected with the unproven medical treatments touted to reduce localized fat. Said Alan Gold, MD President - elect of the Aesthetic Society, "To date, injection lipolysis, LipoDissolve or any fat-melting injection has not gone through FDA sanctioned clinical trials or the research necessary to document the results claimed or clearly identify the potential underlying complications." "Consumers should not ignore the proliferation of blogs and media that are reporting the ineffectiveness and the complications experienced by fat-melting injections," said Richard A. D'Amico, ASPS President." This mixture is not FDA approved nor has it been formally tested for predictable results or safety. That alone should steer consumers away from the marketing hype."

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

About ASAPS


The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery