Nebraska Legislation targets fat-dissolving procedure

Doctors would be prohibited from administering certain substances aimed at dissolving fat under a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature.

A hearing is scheduled today on the proposal, Legislative Bill 713.

The bill would affect a procedure called lipodissolve, which is administered by injection. The bill says the substances including sodium deoxycholate could not be administered for dissolving fat unless part of clinical testing approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The bill was introduced by State Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha. Ron Schroeder, an aide to Pahls, said the senator introduced the bill because of concerns raised by Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

Schlessinger, an Omaha dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, said there has not been enough research to show whether lipodissolve is safe and effective.

The FDA has not approved the combination of drugs used in the lipodissolve injections, said Susan Cruzan, an FDA spokeswoman. She said the FDA is looking into whether there are concerns over how the lipodissolve is affecting patients.

Omaha World Herald