What can go wrong with fat dissolving injections?

Author: Dr. Antonietta Weimann IV  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

The FDA said it received reports of consumers experiencing serious side effects following the use of unapproved fat-dissolving injections, including:
  • Permanent scars.
  • Serious infections.
  • Skin deformities.
  • Cysts.
  • Painful knots.

Can fat dissolving injections cause nerve damage?

Common side effects of fat dissolving injections are redness, swelling, pain and bruising around the injection site. These will usually resolve after a few days. More serious concerns include infection, nerve damage, allergic reactions and uneven results.

Who should not have fat dissolving injections?

However, Aqualyx is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast feeding; patients with auto-immune disease, diabetics and patients who have had severe anaphylactic reactions and allergies. It is also not recommended for those people who have been diagnosed with lipodystrophy or any pathological conditions.

What are the side effects of fat burner injections?

Side Effects of Lipo Injections
  • Allergy reactions: itching, hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the tongue, throat, or mouth*
  • Stomach upsets: mild nausea, mild diarrhea is possible owing to the sudden boost in minerals and nutrients. ...
  • Headaches, light headedness.

Can fat dissolving injections cause lumps?

Possible side effects

Swelling usually resolves within a few days, at most, up to 2 weeks. Some people can bruise after the procedure. This will resolve on its own within a few days to weeks. A rarer complication is the development of nodules or lumps within the fat layer.

5 Reasons I DON'T Inject Kybella

Is it normal to have a hard lump after injection?

Getting a lump under your skin is a normal and expected injection site reaction.

Should you massage fat dissolving injections?

Massaging the treatment area following administration allows the product to be dispersed and evenly distributed. In addition, as the Aqualyx dissolves the fat, manual massage will aid the lymphatic system in removing the waste products.

Is there a risk to weight loss injections?

Other side effects included a 30 per cent higher risk of nausea or vomiting, 11 per cent higher risk of arthritis and a 6 per cent higher risk of low blood pressure.

How safe are fat injections?

A surgical fat transfer is generally a safe procedure, but it can occasionally result in: a collection of blood underneath the skin (haematoma) death of fat tissue (fat necrosis) a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a piece of fat (fat embolism)

Who should not take lipotropic injections?

You should also steer clear of both of these medications if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). Do not take any lipotropic injections containing phentermine if you have cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or have a history of drug dependency.

What not to do after fat dissolving injections?

Avoid excessive alcohol for 24 hours. Avoid intense exercise for the first day. Gently apply a wrapped cold pack intermittently for the first few hours after your fat dissolving injections (be careful not to apply any pressure).

How many fat dissolving injections do I need to see results?

Most patients require two to four treatment sessions several weeks apart to achieve optimal results. The amount of fat that needs removing is another factor that can affect the number of treatments needed. Patients with more significant amounts of fat may require additional treatments to achieve their desired results.

Which is better fat freezing or fat dissolving injections?

Both treatments can get great results for the ideal candidate. It should be noted that CoolSculpting treatments have shown very impressive results and is the safest and most effective fat reduction treatment. In the case of Fat Dissolving Injections, results have shown a reduction in fat cells in the treatment area.

What does nerve damage from injection feel like?

In its mildest form you can get a small numb area or an area of 'pins and needles' on your skin. There may be areas of your body that feel strange and painful. Weakness may occur in one or more muscles. and/or loss of control of the bowel or bladder.

Do you get saggy skin after fat dissolving injections?

If you have poor elasticity, after the fat dissolves in the injected area, you could end up with sagging skin.

Can injections cause fat necrosis?

Although rare, and with very few published similar case reports, it remains possible that fat necrosis resulting from insulin injections is under-recognised and under-reported. It is possible that cases with milder and more transient painful symptoms are not reported by patients.

What is the most common complication of fat grafting?

In a review of 22 articles including 3565 patients, Groen and colleagues7 identified that the most common complications of autologous fat grafting in cosmetic breast augmentation included induration, persistent pain, and hematoma occurring at 33%, 25%, and 16%, respectively.

Do fat injections work in belly?

Fat dissolving injections, such as Aqualyx, offer a highly effective and minimally invasive way to target and break down fat in areas like the chin, abdomen, and thighs. These fat cells are then naturally eliminated by your body, helping you achieve a more contoured appearance.

Who shouldn't take weight loss injections?

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should also avoid these medications, as there is insufficient evidence regarding their safety in these populations. In addition, patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to any component of the injection formulation must abstain from using these drugs.

What is the Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is a colloquial term, not a medically recognized condition. It describes the facial changes that can accompany rapid weight loss when using medications like Ozempic or another version of the same drug (generic name semaglutide) FDA-approved for weight-loss treatment.

What is the safest weight loss injection?

What is the safest weight loss injection? No one weight loss medication is safer than the others. Injections for weight loss (Saxenda, Wegovy, and Zepbound) have a similar safety profile. They are relatively new drugs, and their long-term effects are not well known.

Who Cannot have fat dissolving injections?

As long as you are generally healthy and don't have any skin diseases or infections in the treated area there are few medical reasons why you should not undergo fat dissolving injections treatment. Fat Dissolving Injections are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Does drinking water help fat dissolving injections?

The amount of fat dissolved may vary depending on the area injections are administered, how many sessions you take and how your body responds to the treatment. Enhanced results can be encouraged by drinking lots of water to help with lymphatic drainage and exercising alongside treatment.

Where does the fat go after fat dissolving injections?

Once these fat cells are broken down, the body naturally disposes of them through the lymphatic drainage system.

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