Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. Many men and women are able to achieve dramatic body contouring effects by the procedure, which removes stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise. But a recent study published in the Journal of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery has also found that liposuction may have unintended health benefits. The study, which evaluated more than 300 liposuction patients, found that the procedure may lower fat levels in the blood. An analysis of fat levels in each patient’s blood, measured as triglycerides, was conducted before and after liposuction. Patients with high triglyceride levels prior to surgery experienced a 43% reduction 3 months after their procedure. According to the study, the reduction in triglyceride levels achieved after liposuction was greater than what is commonly achieved by medications which are commonly prescribed to address this issue. Both men and women experienced a similar reduction in triglyceride levels. In addition, many patients experienced a significant reduction in white blood cell counts. Lower white blood cell counts are typically considered healthier. The effects identified by this study are very significant since elevated triglyceride levels increase your risk of serious health conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Coronary artery disease
The study found that these effects were only achieved in patients who were near their ideal body weight. This is most likely due to the fact that liposuction leads to a larger percentage of body fat reduction in patients near their ideal body weight. In addition, changes in triglyceride levels were not noticed in patients with normal levels prior to surgery. Instead, this benefit only impacted patients with elevated levels. While liposuction shouldn’t be considered a substitute for other medical treatments intended to address high triglyceride levels, it does provide a very nice additional benefit for people who are ideal liposuction candidates and would like to experience the procedure’s body sculpting benefits. If you live in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and are interested in liposuction, please contact Dr. David Bottger today to schedule your initial consultation.