Liposuction is the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, and a recent study shows liposuction may also lower your triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides are a type of fat present in your blood. At high levels, triglycerides are linked to hardening of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls. This condition is called “atherosclerosis,” and it can lead to:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke

At the 2011 conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Dr. Eric Swanson presented the study for which he was the author. There were 322 patients in the study, all of whom were receiving liposuction. A small percentage were undergoing abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) as well. Some of the patients had normal triglyceride levels while the remainder of patients had elevated levels.

According to the study, the patients with normal levels experienced no change; however, the people with elevated levels experienced a 43 percent decrease in triglycerides three months after the surgery. It remains to be seen whether their levels will remain low in the months and years to come.

Based on this study, it appears liposuction has health benefits for people with high, “at-risk” triglyceride levels. Dr. Swanson cautioned people currently taking medications for triglycerides not to think of liposuction as an alternative treatment. Those people should continue to take their medication; but it seems that people with risky levels can both improve the aesthetics of body contours while enjoying the corollary benefit of lowered triglycerides.

If you are interested in liposuction in Dallas, Texas, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center to schedule a consultation with experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Vasdev Rai.