New research suggests that liposuction may have benefits that are much more than cosmetic.

A study being presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' annual conference in Denver, Colo., this weekend finds that liposuction patients experience a reduction in triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, which could potentially decrease patients' risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The study measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. Of those patients, 71% underwent liposuction only. Triglyceride levels in patients with normal pre-operative levels were unchanged. However, patients with elevated, at-risk levels (>150 mg/dl) experienced, on average, a 43% reduction in triglyceride levels after surgery, or about twice the effect achieved with a drug commonly prescribed to reduce triglyceride levels. The effect was similar in both men and women.

These findings do not mean liposuction can replace medications in patients with very high triglyceride levels, notes Eric Swanson, MD, a Leawood, Kan.-based plastic surgeon and author of the study.

"High triglyceride levels are known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease," he says. "The decrease in these levels after liposuction was surprisingly dramatic, and revealed that the permanent removal of excess fat cells by liposuction has a major impact on circulating levels of triglycerides.

"These findings suggest that patients who are considering liposuction who have at-risk triglyceride levels may reduce their risk of developing these serious health problems, while correcting body disproportions," he adds. "Patients not only look better, but may be healthier, too."

The study also found that white blood cell counts decrease, on average, 11% after liposuction. High white blood cell counts are associated with a raised level of inflammation within the body and have been linked to coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. No significant changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or HDL cholesterol were detected after liposuction, says Dr. Swanson, adding that further research must be done to determine whether these favorable changes in triglyceride and white blood cell levels translate to reduced health risk.

The study raises questions about the way body fat contributes to disease risk, says Dr. Swanson. "For years, it has been assumed that 'visceral fat' surrounding the internal organs has greater metabolic importance and is more directly linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than 'subcutaneous fat' that lies under the skin. These new findings support recent studies suggesting subcutaneous fat, which can be reduced by liposuction, is just as metabolically important."

Mark McGraw