While weight-loss injections have gained popularity, liposuction remains a common cosmetic procedure for removing unwanted fat, typically from the abdomen or thighs. However, experts caution that the surgery is not always a permanent solution and can lead to fat accumulation in other areas, some of which may pose greater health risks.
Liposuction involves physically removing fat cells, a process that is permanent in the treated area because the cells do not regenerate. According to Nora Nugent, a consultant plastic surgeon and president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, if a patient gains weight after liposuction, the existing fat cells in other parts of the body will enlarge. For instance, fat removed from the abdomen might subsequently build up on the thighs or hips.
Nugent emphasizes that liposuction should be considered a body-contouring tool rather than a weight-loss therapy. The ideal candidate is someone who is already at a healthy weight but has specific areas of stubborn fat.
A more significant concern highlighted by experts is the potential for redistributed fat to be stored as visceral fat. This type of fat is located deep within the abdomen, surrounding vital organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. While essential in small amounts for protecting organs, excess visceral fat can release hormones and inflammatory chemicals that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Liposuction targets subcutaneous fat, the layer just beneath the skin, and cannot remove visceral fat. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism followed 36 women of healthy weight who underwent liposuction. Over six months, these women experienced an average 10% increase in visceral fat levels, even without significant weight gain. Researchers suggested this was a compensatory response by the body to maintain energy balance after a marked reduction in subcutaneous fat.
Professor Tunc Tiryaki, a consultant plastic surgeon, notes that not all individuals experience an increase in visceral fat after liposuction. He suggests that underlying health issues, such as type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, may make individuals more prone to visceral fat accumulation. However, the study also indicated that daily exercise in the four months following liposuction could prevent an increase in visceral fat levels.
Experts reiterate that avoiding significant weight gain after the procedure is crucial to mitigate the risk of fat redistribution. Nugent also stresses that liposuction, despite its minimally invasive appearance with small incisions, is a surgical procedure that requires careful consideration by patients.