- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
More answers
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- Weight-loss hypnosis: Does it work?
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- Vegetarian diet: Will it help me lose weight?
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- Belly-dancing: A good exercise for weight loss?
- Ear stapling for weight loss: Does it work?
- Coffee calories: Sabotaging your weight-loss plans?
- Blood type diet: Does it work?
- Coconut oil and weight loss: Does it work?
- Trying to lose weight? Watch what you drink
- Vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss: Do they work?
- FucoThin: Can it help burn fat?
- HCG injections: Good for weight loss?
- Weight-loss exercise: How do I fit it into my day?
- Body fat: Where does it go when you lose weight?
- Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Does it work?
- Protein shakes: Do they increase weight loss?
- CortiSlim: Do cortisol blockers increase weight loss?
- Fat but fit: Can I still be healthy?
- Metabolism: What's the best way to boost it?
- Walking: Is it enough for weight loss?
- Bitter orange weight-loss supplements: Do they work?
- Phentermine: Can it help me lose weight?
- Hoodia: An effective appetite suppressant?
- Water retention: Are there any natural diuretics?
- Slow metabolism: Is it to blame for weight gain?
- Breakfast: Why is it so important?
- see all
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Question
Lipodissolve: Does it get rid of unwanted fat?
I've been hearing about Lipodissolve, the new fat-dissolving shot that's supposed to give you the same results as liposuction. Does it work? Does it have any side effects?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Lipodissolve is a brand name for a new injection that allegedly dissolves fat on your hips, waist, thighs and buttocks. The injected material, which can be injected near the parts of your body where you want to lose fat, is being advertised as a noninvasive alternative to liposuction. However, these injections are not approved for use in the United States, nor have they been proved safe.
Only a few, small scientific studies have been performed to test the safety and efficacy of the fat-dissolving shots. So far, the shots have not worked for everyone who has received them, and there have been serious side effects reported, including:
- Bacterial infection
- Granulomas — masses of inflamed tissue
- Necrosis — death of skin or muscle tissue
- Allergic reactions
- Skin ulcerations
- Scarring
These side effects can be very difficult to treat. Another safety concern to keep in mind is that some of the providers of the shots are not physicians. Although most states consider administering the injections to be a medical procedure and would require a physician to inject them, this is not always the case.
Your best bet to safely melt away the pounds is still diet and exercise. Before starting a new program, talk to your doctor to make sure your weight-loss plan will be safe and effective for you.
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