Health for Body Mind and Soul

Some people who struggle with weight issues sometimes turn to procedures, such as liposuction, to help alleviate the problem. However, a new study published on WebMD by Dr. Robert Eckel indicates that liposuction is only a short term solution to the problem.

In the study, Dr. Eckel analyzed 32 women.  The women in the study had the following characteristics:

• Roughly normal body mass index, some slightly above and some slightly below healthy levels
• None had a liposuction procedure before
• 14 received liposuction, 18 served as the control sample for the group
• All participants made no significant changes to diet or exercise patterns

After 6 weeks, the liposuction patients showed an initial decline in overall body fat percentage by 2.1%.  The control group showed a decline of 0.28%.  From the 6 week period up until the 12 month mark, there was no significant difference in body fat noticed between the two groups.

The researchers did notice, however, that the fat returned in places on the body that were not touched with the liposuction procedure.  In this study, the fat most commonly returned in the abdomen and triceps areas.

In the future, this small scale study may be expanded to include additional study participants and more overall data.  However, many have praised this study for a new way at looking at the overall health of the liposuction procedure.

Most physicians will agree – liposuction is no alternative for a healthy lifestyle.  A healthy lifestyle combines a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein with moderate physical activity at least 5 times per week.

Read the original publication on WebMD here: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/news/20110503/study-fat-may-return-after-liposuction