In recent months I became conscious of my arms. Also my alcohol intake, but not yet out of the pandemic, there’s not much that can be done about that. Tank tops and anything sleeveless, actually, were shunned in favour of billowy, forgiving sleeves. I didn't think much more about them (such is life) until someone with arms to rival Michelle Obama's (google them immediately) extolled the virtues of Aqualyx, a treatment that wages war on small but stubborn fat deposits on arms, legs, midriffs and even chins. And so off I went to Dr David Jack’s properly plush – lots of antiques and chinoiserie wallpaper – Harley Street clinic.
I had a full consultation with Dr Jo Mennie, who's both chatty and charming, that involved pictures, doctorly pinching and analysis. Then, a naturally occurring fat-digesting enzyme called deoxycholate was administered by cannula, into three different areas on the backs of my arms. The enzyme destabilises the fat cell membrane, i.e. dissolves it, and it's then expelled through the liver, i.e. peed out. It wasn't so much painful as uncomfortable, but it was over in 10 minutes regardless. That evening my arms began to swell, an inflammatory response that Dr Mennie had warned me about. In the morning they were black, blue and do not touch me! tender, but that soon dissipated too.
It was only well after the second treatment that the shrinking – no hyperbole – started. I noticed it when I was in my towel, post-shower. Ooh, I thought, impressed, standing on profile pretending to hold a drink so as to expose the new and narrowed width of my arm. Not quite those of a retired olympian, but a vast improvement nonetheless. How many sessions is case and area dependent, but anywhere between two and six is normal. I've heard this treatment being referred to as both 'body contouring' and 'lunchtime lipo' – I am inclined to go with the former, but that's not to say that this can't, in tandem with exercise and sensible eating, be transformative.
£600 per session with Dr Jo Mennie at Dr David Jack Clinic
96 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 7HY