In the last few decades body contouring surgery, specifically abdominoplasty - alone or in combination with liposuction - gained popularity. This surgical procedure is aimed at reducing body fat in certain areas of the body.
A recent study conducted by Saleh and colleagues showed that large-volume liposuction can be safe and an effective procedure that can produce desirable body changes and salutary health benefits. From July 2003 to December 2005, 60 women ages ranging from 30 yrs. or more (but not older than 46 yrs), had liposuction on different parts of their bodies: waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees.
The procedure was done using a tumescent infiltration formula - a method by which fluid and anesthetic are infused into the tissues using blunt cannulas and high-vacuum suction. A cannula is a tube for insertion into the body designed to fit tightly around a trocar (an instrument provided with a sharp three-sided point fitted inside a tube. It is withdrawn from the cannula after insertion, so that fluid/fat may run out of the latter).
Results
- There was a significant decrease in body weight or body mass index (BMI) at 6 weeks and 4 months after surgery
- Blood glucose levels decreased not significantly after 6 weeks, but significantly 4 months after surgery. This confirms the findings of Gonzalez and colleagues that surgical removal of subcutaneus fat by large-volume liposuction leads to a decrease in blood glucose levels over the 4 weeks postoperatively
- Pulse rate and systolic blood pressure decreased over the 4 months after surgery. The surgeons believe the beneficial changes occurred as a result of increased insulin sensitivity and weight loss. Circulating insulin has been suggested as an important factor affecting blood pressure and to be predictor of later abnormal heart function.
- There was a significant decrease in the total blood albumin and total cholesterol levels 6 weeks after surgery - but they returned to levels before surgery 4 months after the procedure.
- There was a significant decrease in the uric acid levels at 6 weeks and 4 months postoperatively.
Reminders:
Persons considering this type of surgery must ensure that they are in top physiological state that is: have no acute illness such as infections, fevers, not malnourished, not smoking (or stopped smoking for at least 6 months prior to surgery); have high blood pressure, etc.
Ensure your physician is a board-certified plastic surgeon and is a current member of a national and state/provincial association of plastic surgeons such as the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
References:
Saleh Y et al. " Safety and benefits of large-volume liposuction: a single center experience" International Archives of Medicine 2009;2:4
Gonzalez-Ortiz M et al. "The effect of surgically removing subcutaneous fat on metabolic profile and insulin sensitivity in obese women after large-volume liposuction treatment" Horm Metab Res. 2002;34:446-449
Perez RA "Liposuction and diabetes type 2 development risk reduction in the obese patient" Medical Hypothesis 2007;68(2):393-396
Stevens GW et al. "Does lipoplasty really add morbidity to abdominoplasty? Revisiting the controversy with a series of 406 cases" Aesthetic Surgery July-August 2005;25(4):353-358
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