Although liposuction, the surgical removal of body fat, is known for its cosmetic results, it may also offer some serious health benefits, according to a new study. The research revealed that liposuction and/or tummy tuck patients saw a reduction in key health measurements that make them less susceptible to diabetes, heart disease and stroke-namely, their triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts.
Patients who started with high triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, saw a 43 percent decrease after surgery and an 11 percent drop in white blood cell counts. Very high triglycerides and white blood cell counts are leading indicators for serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
“The decrease in these levels after liposuction was surprisingly dramatic, and revealed that the permanent removal of excess fat cells by liposuction has a major impact on circulating levels of triglycerides,” said Eric Swanson, MD, ASPS Member Surgeon and study author.
“For years, it has been assumed that ‘visceral fat’ surrounding the internal 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,” says Dr. Swanson.
Although the results seem to be favorable, further research is necessary to examine the actual health benefits of liposuction. The promising data will be shared at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual conference, going on now.
If liposuction not only made you look better, but healthier too, would you be more inclined to try it?
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