What Are the Potential Side Effects of Liposonix on the Abd. and Hip Areas? What About Fatty Emboli?

Liposonix uses high intensity focused ultrasound to damage fat cells while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. These damaged cells undergo programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) and are treated like debris in the body. This means that just like an inactivated bacterial cell or dead cell, the body's natural cleaning system (consisting of a variety of cells and body systems), cleans up the cells. These adipose cells do not enter the bloodstream, and therefore there is no risk of fatty emboli. Other side effects include discomfort, swelling, and redness, all of which are tolerable and go away within a week or two. 

Liposonix causes fat reduction and body contouring by means of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).  The ultrasound is passed through the skin and disrupts the fat cells below causing a thermal wound in the fat. As this heals, the fat shrinks - and so too does the stomach and thighs.  Potential side effects include pain during treatment,  tenderness and bruising after treatment.  The latter can last a good week or two before resolving spontaneously.  Studies have not demonstrated an increase in blood fat levels after liposonix and the likelihood of fat embolism is remote.   Fat embolism usually occurs after severe trauma and therefore one would not anticipate this event after a Liposonix treatment.