Liposuction, which is a cosmetic operation, is the most frequently, performed cosmetic procedure. When done by the untrained providers, it can be a dangerous procedure causing complications including death. But can Liposuction be healthy for you, reducing the bad, artery clogging fats? This is exactly what was presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
A new study, measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. Most of the patients, 71 percent, had liposuction only. Triglyceride levels in patients with normal preoperative levels were unchanged. However, patients with at-risk levels, defined as greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl, experienced an average post surgery reduction of 43 percent – about twice the effect achieved with a commonly prescribed drug. The study also found that white blood cell counts decrease an average of 11 percent after the procedure.
Eric Swanson, M.D., ASPS Member Surgeon and study author, said “For years, it has been assumed that ‘visceral fat’ surrounding the internal intestinal organs has greater metabolic importance and is more directly linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than ‘subcutaneous fat’ that lies under the skin. These new findings support recent studies suggesting subcutaneous fat, which can be reduced by liposuction, is just as metabolically important.”
The results need to be reproduced and further investigation is necessary, but I found this to be great news. The fact that reducing the fat around the abdomen would have such a great effect on blood lipids is indeed groundbreaking news. Imagine the day when insurance companies would pay for liposuction for people who have high triglycerides. To find out more about liposuction and see before and after pictures go to www.BetterPlasticSurgery.com.