Introduction
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia refers to a condition in which there is an overgrowth of fatty tissue on any part of the body, including the targeted area. The skin may become hardened and visibly enlarged. This side effect has been reported in a study of 0.0051 % or about 1 in 20,000 treated patients.
What Is Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is a procedure that uses a handheld device like a vacuum suction on a localized area using a cold temperature of about 30 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce subcutaneous fat cells. This treatment was approved by the food drug administration as a part of cosmetic surgery.
Cryolipolysis usually helps to contour the body by reducing the bulgy fat in a specific area like the inner and outer thigh, inner arm, lower chin, midline waist, and beneath the buttock region. It also aids in tightening the skin and removing the cellulite from the skin. Treatment does not require anesthesia and hardly takes 30 to 60 minutes; it may require multiple sessions in some cases. The visible results usually take three to six months to appear.
How to Remove Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia?
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is not harmful, but it cannot be removed unless treated surgically. Usually, one has to wait up to six to nine months for the fat in the affected area to become soft so that it can be removed safely using liposuction. There are chances that paradoxical adipose hyperplasia could recur. It was also noticed that, in a few cases, it was not removed. The skin of the affected part had become hard, like a nodular structure fusing with the inner layer of skin.
How Is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia Caused?
There are no scientific studies on the exact cause of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. There is some theory that explains the possible cause. According to one of the theories, it could be a possibility that a few fat cells in the body are not easily broken down in cold temperatures compared to other fat cells. The cause of fat cells being intact is unknown, so those few cells do not reduce or die like other fat cells which were targeted. In fact, these cells may continue living and increase their size in counteraction. It was assumed that due to this hyperactivity, some kind of molecule permits the growth of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels supply blood to overgrown fat cells, providing them nourishment to further grow abnormally in its size.
Another theory is suggested from the concept of a medical device called Brava. A special bra is worn prior to breast augmentation with the fat graft, which uses a negative suction pressure for fat to attach to the breast by increasing blood supply and other growth factors cells on-site that help in the binding of fat graft used for breast augmentation, so as per this theory it is believed like Brava device, cryolipolysis also uses negative pressure suction that might lead to overgrowth of fats cells.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia?
This side effect of cryolipolysis may be quite depressing for the one who experiences it because the outcome of treatment is the total opposite of what was expected. This could also affect one psychologically because the body’s contour becomes disproportionate, unlike prior to treatment, when the body looked chubby, soft, and fatty. Now the body looks uneven, firm, and raised, and the body takes the shape of the device, which is somewhat rectangular in shape, and the overgrown part looks like a hard knot or nodule. Though paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is not a painful, harmful, or life-threatening condition still, it could be very distressing and saddening for one who experiences it.
Is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia Treatable?
There is the possibility of treatment, but since the side effect are seen after three to six months, one has to wait for too long before starting treatment because, as a result of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, the skin becomes hard and firm, and it takes a few months for the overgrown area to become soft. There are various treatment options that one can opt for later, namely liposuction, VASER, abdominoplasty, and smart lipo.
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Liposuction is a type of plastic surgery treatment that helps to remove or reduce fat using a negative suction pressure device helpful in obese treatment. This treatment is performed under anesthesia.
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VASER(Vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) is a type of ultrasound device that emits powerful radiofrequency waves to break fat cells.
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Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is an invasive cosmetic surgical treatment used to remove excess fat and skin from the lower and middle abdominal skin, which helps in a shaped contoured body.
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Smartlipo is a type of laser-guided liposuction that helps in the removal of stubborn fat. A small incision near the target area is made, and a thin tube is passed through the tube; laser light is emitted to the area, which helps in melting and loosening fat cells faster and more efficiently.
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There are not many other treatments for paradoxical adipose hyperplasia as the exact cause is not known. It is advised that if one experiences signs and symptoms of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia and should avoid further sitting if planned, then one must try other treatment options for reducing fat.
How Is Liposuction Helpful in Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia Condition?
Liposuction is an invasive procedure with a cannula and suction device used physically for the suction of fat cells. The results are drastically visible and instant, unlike cryolipolysis. The results attained by liposuction are permanent if the weight is maintained by diet and exercise.
Liposuction removes all the overgrown fat cells that give the body a bulgy and irregular appearance; the procedure helps to attain a toned and sculpted appearance. It may require multiple sittings depending on the overgrown structure due to cryolipolysis.
Conclusion
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is an uncommon side effect of cryolipolysis affecting only 1 in 20,000 people getting treated; one must consider all the benefits and side effects of cryolipolysis or any other cosmetic treatment for fat removal or shrinkage before planning the procedure. Consult a certified healthcare provider to discuss all pre and post-procedure instructions and alternative treatment.
