Fat-dissolving injections (lipolysis) – removing stubborn fat deposits

Every fat cell has a membrane that protects it and maintains its integrity. The active substances in the lipolytic cocktail act precisely on that membrane – destabilising it and encouraging the breakdown of the fat cell from within. The released fats are gradually removed and broken down by the body through normal metabolic pathways, primarily via the lymphatic system and the liver.

The process is not instant. The body gradually eliminates the broken-down fat cells in the weeks following the procedure. The first changes are usually noticed after two to three weeks, and the full effect develops over the following one to two months.

The result depends on the product, the area, the number of treatments and the tissue response, so it is assessed at the follow-up appointment. With a stable body weight, the change in the treated area can be long-lasting, but the remaining fat cells can enlarge again if weight increases.

Lipolysis is not for everyone – and that is important to say right away. The treatment is not intended for people who want to significantly reduce their body weight, but for those who are already close to their target weight yet are still bothered by certain areas.

Good candidates are people who exercise regularly and watch their diet, but whose double chin, stomach, flanks or inner thighs simply do not respond to the effort they put in. Lipolysis does not change the overall figure in these cases, but rather refines those details that spoil an otherwise good silhouette.

Each treatment is planned individually. At the initial consultation, the doctor assesses the amount and distribution of fatty tissue, the condition of the skin and the general health of the patient – only then is it determined whether lipolysis is the right solution and which preparation is best suited.

At Imedic poliklinika, we use two lipolytic products – Lemon Bottle and Aqualyx. They differ in composition, mode of action, target areas, number of treatments required and expected tissue response, so they should not be treated as interchangeable. The choice of product is always made individually, in consultation with a doctor, following an examination of the treated area.

Lemon Bottle is a lipolytic preparation whose formula is based on three active ingredients of natural origin – vitamin B2 (riboflavin), bromelain and lecithin, which work in synergy.

Vitamin B2 accelerates fat metabolism and acts as a catalyst in the lipolysis process. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapple that has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps break down fat cells. Lecithin, obtained from soya, is a decisive factor in the destruction of the fat cell membrane, whilst simultaneously preventing adverse skin reactions.

One of the main advantages of the Lemon Bottle preparation is the minimal occurrence of swelling after application, making it particularly suitable for facial treatments – double chin, cheeks – but also for smaller body areas. The treatment can be repeated after just seven days.

Read more about this product on our page about Lemon Bottle.

Aqualyx is a product used for injection lipolysis. Its main active ingredient is deoxycholic acid, a molecule naturally found in our bodies whose role is to break down and absorb fat.

When injected into fat tissue, Aqualyx destroys the membrane of fat cells and turns them into tiny droplets which are then naturally eliminated from the body. As this is a substance the body already recognises, the process is gradual and well tolerated.

Aqualyx is particularly suitable for larger body areas – the stomach, flanks, thighs, upper arms – where the amount of fatty tissue is more pronounced and where a precise, deeper action of the preparation is required.

Lipolysis on its own removes fatty deposits – but the skin above the treated area must be firm enough for the result to look good. When fatty tissue diminishes and the skin lacks sufficient tone, sagging can occur which spoils the effect of the treatment. For this reason, lipolysis is rarely used as an isolated procedure in practice. Most frequently, it is part of a broader protocol that simultaneously addresses both fatty deposits and skin condition.

Examples of protocols:

• Double chin: Lipolysis reduces fatty tissue under the chin, whilst Morpheus8 or Attiva simultaneously tighten the skin and improving its texture – preventing sagging after volume loss.
• Larger body areas: on the stomach, flanks and thighs we combine lipolysis with body skin tightening treatments, such as Alma PrimeX and Morpheus8.

Lipolysis is used on areas where stubborn fat deposits persist despite physical activity and proper nutrition. At Imedic poliklinika, we treat:

• Double chin – one of the most common indications; find out more on our page about Double chin removal.
• Stomach – the lower part of the belly that remains a problem even for people with a normal body weight.
• Flanks – localised fat deposits that barely respond to exercise.
• Inner thighs – an area prone to fat accumulation regardless of physical activity.
• Upper arms – excess fat on the inner arm that is difficult to lose through exercise.