Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani is a Harvard-educated, Johns Hopkins trained, a renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon based on Manhattan’s famed Fifth Avenue and the founder of LUXURGERY - The confluence of luxury and aesthetic surgery. Furthermore, he is an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Washington University – St. Louis School of Medicine. His commitment to excellence has earned him several global accolades. Dr. S has authored over 200 publications and abstracts and is recognized as an international authority on aesthetic plastic surgery. Dr. Shridharani serves as an international Global Thought Leader and has lectured on nearly every continent. He serves as a Principal Investigator for clinical trials. Dr. S serves as the cosmetic surgery expert and Brand Ambassador for Haute Living.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Body contouring continues to be arguably the most sought-after procedure globally. With the advent of new technologies and repurposing existing injectables, we present four of the most frequently used injectables or drugs for body contouring. The treatments range from permanent destruction of fat to filling and plumping along with tricking the body into improving its own skin quality and texture, finally improving the appearance of cellulite by dissolving the collagen bands known as septae which tether the skin and create dimpling of the butts and thighs.
Each of these treatments does come with its own risk profile. Some can destroy the skin if injected too superficially. Others can block blood vessels and decrease blood flow to vital structures. Others can over dissolve certain tissue and create increased sagginess. Therefore, going to an expert on the subject matter is so important. Currently, there is an outage in our world: it is expensive to be cheap, meaning bargain shoppers for cosmetic treatments get just that... cheap quality work.
Below is an organized list by Dr. Sachin Shridharani of each drug, what it is used for, and what to expect post-treatment.
Kybella: Fat Destroyer
Kybella is deoxycholic acid found in the gastrointestinal tract that naturally metabolizes fat. Dr. Shridharani’s Surgery in a Syringe℠ uses Kybella to permanently destroy fat in the double chin, as well as areas including arms, abdomen, and thighs.
Risks: Temporary numbness, swelling, and bruising of the treatment.
Treatment plan: most individuals require two to four treatments to reach their ideal aesthetic goals.
Longevity: Although the remaining fat cells can expand with weight gain after treatment, new fat cells can never grow back.
View this post on Instagram
Radiesse: Volumizer & Collagen Builder
Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxyapatite. As a gel, it is injected deep into the dermis, adding volume to the skin while stimulating the production of your own collagen. Once the gel is absorbed by the body, only the collagen is left behind.
Risks: As with any injection, injections with Radiesse may cause slight discomfort.
Treatment plan: Radiesse is injected in a single 15-30 minute session. Patients may choose to do multiple treatments depending on desired results.
Longevity: Results have been shown to last a year or more in many patients. Results vary by patient depending on the body’s metabolism of the product.
Sculptra: Wrinkle Corrector
Sculptra Aesthetic is used primarily on patients concerned about wrinkles due to aging. Similar to Radiesse, it adds volume to the skin and replaces lost collagen through injection into the dermis. It provides the foundation for the retention of skin laxity and volume.
Risks: Most patients experience a little bit of swelling and slight redness, which seems to resolve/go away in a matter of hours but can last for a few days.
Treatment plan: Sculptra injections take around 20-30 minutes. The patient can decide if they wish to come back for multiple treatments depending on their desired outcome.
Longevity: One treatment of Sculptra can last well over a year depending on the patient’s absorption rate.
QWO: Cellulite Eliminator
QWO at LUXURGERY with Dr. Shridharani is the world’s first and only FDA-approved injectable for the treatment of cellulite. When injected, this drug enzymatically disrupts the fibrous septae responsible for creating cellulite, resulting in smoother skin.
Risks: Bruising can last one to two weeks after the first treatment.
Treatment plan: QWO is administered through injections which can take around 20-30 minutes.
Longevity: To date, we have data to support longevity for a few years and will continue to monitor how many years patients can expect to see substantial improvement.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Out of the four body contouring methods, which is most commonly used?
With all the noise out there surrounding the use of injectables for the body in an on and off-label way, we want to cut right to the chase and help discuss the top line and most frequently used injectables for body contouring. Each does something very different but there is plenty of overlap in the space.
What is the best body contouring method out of the four?
With many drugs and methods for body contouring, patients often ask which is better than the other. In short, there is no better drug, but rather the best approach for each concern. The effectiveness of each method is fully dependent on the patient's desired results.
Which body contouring method requires the least amount of downtime?
Recovery for each of these four treatments is very similar, with a brief downtime ranging from hours to days.
For more information, visit Sachin Shridharani, MD, FACS's social media:
