Dear Dr. Pierone,

I was wondering if it is safe (for an HiV+ person) to undergo a lypolisis treatment (injection in fat tissue with a substance derived from soja beans). Manybeauty clinics in my country perfom this treamtment for correction of ones figure. I am not (yet)on meds and have a healthy CD4 count and low VL.

Thanks a lot!

Soja beans have an ingredient that is related to phosphatidylcholine. This chemical will dissolve fat and has a medical use as intravenous injection for patients who have a fat embolism. A fat embolism is when fat globules are introduced into the blood stream. An example would be a traumatic large bone fracture with escape of fat cells from the bone marrow into the veins and then onward to the lungs.

Various forms of phosphatidylcholine have been used as injection under the skin into fat deposits where they will dissolve fat cells. However, it is painful, often expensive, and not very effective. I just had a conversation with a dermatologist who I know to be very talented and ethical. He recently left a very successful practice because his partner insisted on performing this procedure because it was such a money maker, despite the fact that they were not seeing benefit for patients.

There is no specific contra-indication for HIV patients to have lipolysis, but based on this information, it does not sound like a great treatment.

I hope this information helps and best of luck!