subject: Does Liposuction Have Any Positive Effects On Metabolic Syndrome? [print this page] Although not everyone has heard of it, metabolic syndrome is impressively common in America. According to some estimates, one in four Americans have it. At the age of 50, the numbers spike to an impressive 44%.
Metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome, syndrome X and Reaven's syndrome) is the name given to a combination of medical disorders that drastically increase a person's chance of developing diabetes and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it is estimated that 50% of all people who suffer from coronary heart disease have metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome appears to be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics problems, old age and a sedentary lifestyle. However, one of the largest indicators appears to be one's waistline. People who have an "apple shaped" body, and who store large amounts of body fat around their abdomens seem to be the highest risk group of people.
Experts estimate that somewhere around 70% of American adults are overweight or obese. Some recent studies suggest up to 80% of these overweight or obese Americans could suffer from metabolic syndrome.
Given the strong connection between the size of one's tummy and metabolic syndrome, an increasing number of overweight individuals have begun to seek liposuction as a cure for metabolic syndrome.
However, experts remain divided as to the efficacy of this approach. Some doctors assert that liposuction cannot remove a sufficient amount of fat to significantly improve metabolic syndrome. Others maintain that metabolic syndrome is not caused by the external fat that can be removed through surgery, but by internal fat deposits that liposuction cannot reach. However, there are some doctors who maintain that large volume liposuction can improve metabolic syndrome. The majority of these doctors admit, though, that large volume liposuction is a risky procedure that is likely to cause as many problems as it might solve.
The best way to combat obesity and its pursuant metabolic abnormalities is through a healthy diet and regular exercise. In some cases, liposuction can provide a helpful stimulus to patients to do this. Some patients find that the improvement of their appearance after a liposuction gives them a boost of motivation that can help them to make lifestyle chances that can help them in the long run.
However, if a person does not change his or her habits, he or she will gain weight again, and it's even possible that the excess fat will be more deleterious the second time around, because it will lead to more concentrated fat deposits.
Liposuction works best for body contouring, not as a form of weight loss. It can very effectively target areas of excess fat to improve one's appearance, but its results are primarily cosmetic in nature.
People who are contemplating undergoing liposuction and who would like to know more about whether or not they would be good candidates should consider meeting with a surgeon in their area. Many surgeons offer free consultations to potential clients. Your surgeon should be able to help you to understand whether liposuction would be appropriate for your and whether or not it can help you to meet your goals.
