Your view: A response

Dear Mike,

My name is Sheila Armbruster, and I am sure you don't know me, although I am in your place of business quite often. I usually just nod and go on my way. I am a local business owner here in Sikeston and my business is called Defining Looks. I was out of town a few days and I was given an article upon my return that was published on June 26. I would like to respond to that article if you will allow me. I feel that the article was referring to me personally, and to my business. Forgive me if it's boring for you to read.

Dr. Stone made a comment that he had a pt that had been treated at another site for LipoDissolve who had been given twice the dose of PCDC for the starting dose. I do not inject more than 100cc of PCDC at one visit. The physicians in the area use a much higher dose and a different technique than I, however I inject the medication with 250 injections. I think he must have been told that I used 250 injections and assumed that I was injecting high doses of medication like he does in each injection, which would have lead him to believe that I had injected 250 cc of PCDC. He is in error. I always adjust the dosage according to the client size and the overall health condition of the client. As I am a small person myself, I have always had to titrate my personal medication dosage by cutting the prescribed dose in half then titrating up until I achieve the desired results. I have carried this over into the lipodissolve procedure. I have started as low as 25cc per visit, and the most I have given at one time is 100cc. I inject only .2cc of PCDC in each injection, and they are 2cm apart. The PCDC is instilled evenly under the tissue, and therefore results in a more even appearance when the swelling recedes. My clients have no knots and the recovery time is much more rapid. I have treated several clients who have previously gone to a doctor to have the LipoDissolve procedure, and have reported that they hate to have to go back because the doctor hurt them so badly, but because they had to buy so many visits up front, they could not afford to lose the money. I do not require any visit, or area limits. I feel the art of body sculpting is not like fast food. It is a process that takes time and care to improve the body shape in whatever area the client wants to improve.

Dr. Stone also made a comment about the need to know the anatomy of the body to insure that the injections are given in the correct spot, especially in the neck area. I would like to respond by saying that I have successfully injected several neck areas, and have had no difficulty. I am very sure where the needle is placed before I inject. I use an insulin syringe to inject, and make sure the tissue is appropriately raised to prevent any complications.

Many people are under the idea that a defibrillator and other resuscitation equipment is readily available in all healthcare settings. This is not the case at all. I have been an RN for 21 years, and have operated in many diverse healthcare situations, and I have never had this type of resuscitation equipment available to me or my staff. I have performed many more invasive procedures than lipodissolve as a DON in nursing homes in MO, ARK, TX, and OK, and if an emergency arose, I initiated CPR, and dialed 911. This is the standard of practice in the healthcare setting.

The education topic was also addressed as far as attending the classes for lipodissolve procedure. I am not adverse to education, or seeking licensures. I am a licensed cosmetologist, RN, tattooist, piercer, and an ordained minister with a bachelors degree in practical ministry. However, I am not in agreement with the technique that is currently taught here in the US. I was instructed under a physician in Armenia, and have received information from a physician in Brazil. The classes that are taught here are backed by pharmaceutical companies who are also the companies responsible for supplying the drug to the physicians. They, therefore teach high volume infusion technique. I wonder why they would prefer this technique? When I conversed with the pharmaceutical representative about the technique, I asked if they had tried smaller doses of the medication to see if the results were comparable with less side effects, he said that he had not. It has not been an option offered. I agree there need to be regulations in place to see that clients are not harmed. I have recently been informed that there are tattooists performing lipodissolve in their facilities without any oversight or education in healthcare issues. This is scary since there are no classes required in the state of MO to be a tattooist-it only takes $. The tattoo surveyors are cracking down on these sites, and they will soon be stopped.

In conclusion, I would like my clients to know that I am not operating illegally, and I am not uneducated in the area of LipoDissolve. I am covered by a medical director, and am reviewed by him. We are all attempting to help people to feel better about themselves. Most women that I come in contact with in my business do not have the luxury of enough money to afford hair styling, permanent makeup, spa services, and LipoDissolve. My goal is to change that. I want them to be able to reach their goals no matter how simple they may appear. For example, a woman came and said the doctors in the area won't touch her because she is so overweight. When I asked what she wanted to achieve, her response was that she wanted to wear Capri pants this summer. A few injections in the inner thigh and anterior lower leg, and wah-lah, she's in Capri pants this summer! It's not too much to listen to their goals---it's not about what we want them to look like, it's about loving people for who they are. We all swore to do no harm, and to be fair, bad things can happen to any technician, but the only harm I've heard of is staph infection at the injection sites of the LipoDissolve. All of the cases have been from the medical doctors in the health care setting that is supposed to be so safe. When,at times, I have found myself to be the pt, I have always thought the student more careful, with a sense of fear, and a respect for the unknown, and a heart to help others. They weren't in it to "turn a buck". They were in it for the love of the people. That is what it's all about, isn't it?

Thank you,

Sheila Armbruster