We typically consider liposuction to be a strictly cosmetic procedure, but at our recent ASPS annual meeting in Denver, on September 23-27, a study was presented by Dr. Eric Swanson that indicated for the first time that liposuction patients experience lower triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, and perhaps decreasing the risk of heart attack, diabetes or stroke.<\/p>\n
The study measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and\/or tummy tuck. \u00a0Of those, 71 percent had liposuction only. \u00a0In cases where the patients had normal triglyceride levels prior to surgery, the levels remained unchanged. \u00a0Yet in those with elevated levels of triglycerides prior to surgery \u2013 those that were elevated \u00a0>150\/mg\/dl, experienced an average 43 percent reduction in triglyceride levels after surgery. \u00a0This level of reduction is about twice that normally achieved through current drugs prescribed to treat elevated triglyceride levels.\u00a0The effect was the same in both men and women.<\/p>\n
White blood cell counts decreased on the average of 11 percent. \u00a0Typically, increased white blood cell counts are often associated with a higher rate of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity and inflammation within the body. \u00a0There were not significant differences in the cholesterol levels of the patients detected following liposuction.<\/p>\n
Although more research remains to be done, this study is important for several reasons. \u00a0Dr. Swanson indicated, that for many years in the medical community it was thought that the \u201cvisceral fat\u201d surrounding the internal organs was of greater importance in predicting cardiovascular disease and risk of diabetes than the \u201csubcutaneous\u201d fat which is removed during liposuction. \u00a0This study suggests that the subcutaneous fat, which is the fat we are able to reach through liposuction, is equally important. \u00a0For patients with elevated triglyceride levels, who have considered liposuction, this may come as very welcome news. \u00a0Patients may not only improve their physical appearance, but may also have a reduced health risk post liposuction treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We typically consider liposuction to be a strictly cosmetic procedure, but at our recent ASPS annual meeting in Denver, on September 23-27, a study was presented by Dr. Eric Swanson that indicated for the first time that liposuction patients experience lower triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, and perhaps decreasing the risk of heart … Continue reading Liposuction May Reduce Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, or Diabetes for Certain Patients<\/span>