Before Your Treatment
Preparing for Fat-Dissolving Injections
A little preparation can make a real difference to your comfort, your recovery and your final result — particularly with the swelling that follows this treatment.
Fat-dissolving injections work by breaking down fat cells so your body can gradually clear them. This naturally causes swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising. Preparing well helps keep bruising and complications to a minimum and makes your recovery smoother.
Good preparation may help to
- Reduce bruising
- Lower the risk of complications
- Make swelling easier to manage
- Support healthy healing
- Make your appointment more comfortable
About one week before
Reduce your risk of bruising
Why: these thin the blood, which can increase bruising and swelling. Only where medically appropriate — and never stop anything prescribed without your doctor's approval.
Where safe to do so, avoid
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen, naproxen & other anti-inflammatories
- Blood thinners (only with your doctor's approval)
- Alcohol
Supplements to pause
- Fish oil & Omega-3
- Vitamin E
- Ginkgo biloba
- High-dose garlic, ginger or turmeric
You may usually continue
- Paracetamol, if you need pain relief
- Any medication prescribed for you (do not stop without medical advice)
Look after your general health
Staying well-hydrated in the days beforehand supports healing and helps your body clear the dissolved fat. Aim for around 2 litres of water a day (unless you've been medically advised otherwise), eat well and get good sleep.
48 hours before
Avoid alcohol
- Increases bruising & swelling
- Increases inflammation
- Lengthens recovery
Avoid excessive salt
- Takeaways
- Processed & fast food
- Crisps & salty snacks
Why: alcohol thins the blood and inflames tissue; salt encourages fluid retention, which can make post-treatment swelling worse.
Do instead
- Hydrate well (around 2 litres of water daily)
- Prioritise good sleep
- Eat nourishing, protein-rich meals
On the day of treatment
Please do
- Eat a proper meal beforehand — this helps prevent feeling faint during the injections
- Drink plenty of water
- Arrive with clean skin over the area, free of lotion, oil or makeup
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn't press on the treatment area
- If treating the chin, bring a scarf, snood or hoodie — the area may swell straight away and you may prefer to cover it on the way home
- Allow extra time so you arrive relaxed
Please avoid
- Alcohol
- Makeup, oils or moisturiser on the area
- Heavy caffeine on an empty stomach
- Strenuous exercise beforehand
- Tight clothing over the area (e.g. tight waistbands if treating the tummy or flanks)
Expect swelling — and plan around it
This is the single most important thing to know before treatment. Fat-dissolving injections cause noticeable swelling, and this is completely normal — it's part of how the treatment works.
Please be aware
- Swelling is often most pronounced under the chin, where it can look and feel quite full for several days up to a couple of weeks
- Body areas (tummy, thighs, arms, flanks) also swell and feel tender
- Bruising, firmness and lumps that settle over time are normal too
Clothing to plan for
- Loose tops or a scarf/hoodie if treating the chin
- Loose waistbands if treating the tummy or love handles
- Loose sleeves if treating the arms; loose trousers for thighs
When treatment should be postponed
For your safety, treatment may need to wait. Please tell us before your appointment if any of the following apply:
Postpone / cannot proceed if you
- Are, or might be, pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- Feel unwell or have a fever, cold, flu or any infection
- Have an infection, spot, rash or broken skin in the treatment area
- Have an active cold sore near the area being treated
Tell us first if you
- Have started any new medication
- Take blood thinners or have a bleeding/clotting disorder
- Have had recent surgery or another treatment in the area
- Have had any change to your medical history or health
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: fat-dissolving injections are not carried out during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Please contact us before your appointment if you
- Feel unwell or have a fever
- Develop a cold sore or any infection near the area
- Become pregnant
- Start new medication
- Have surgery or another aesthetic treatment
- Develop a rash, spot or broken skin in the area
Our priority is your safety
If we believe treatment is not in your best interests on the day, we may postpone it until it can be performed safely. Your safety will always come before proceeding with treatment.Layali Clinic · 442 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7DT · 07787 708200 · layaliclinic@gmail.com · Privacy Notice