According to an estimate from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in ten Americans have diabetes, with 90 to 95 percent of those individuals dealing with type 2 diabetes. The FDA currently estimates that one in three Americans will develop the disease during their lifetime. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in people over 45 years of age.
Type 2 diabetes forms due to an initial reaction by the body’s cells to ignore the orders of insulin. This hormone is made by the pancreas to facilitate the consumption of sugar by the cells and regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. As a result of such resistance, type 2 diabetics pancreas’ will produce extra insulin. Eventually, however, this increased insulin secretion cannot be sustained, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
The disease commonly affects overweight people, and because of this trend, people often wonder whether liposuction can help remove excess fat from the body and help manage their diabetes.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction has grown more popular in recent years as a fat-removal solution for both men and women. Patients aiming to get rid of annoying excess fat without spending copious amounts of time and energy working out often turn to this procedure.
The operation, also commonly referred to as liposculpture, has its risks and side effects like any other surgery or procedure. Patients often wonder whether they can gain the fat lost back after the procedure (yes, if healthy habits are not adopted) and whether it has a positive impact on their metabolism (not directly). People also commonly ask if they can return to their old eating habits without consequence (no, this is not ideal).
Is it Safe For Diabetic Patients?
Liposuction is on occasion, considered dangerous for diabetic patients for the following reasons:
- Surgical procedures pose a high risk to diabetics because the condition increases the risk of infections after the operation.
- Diabetes can slow down the healing process after liposuction.
- Blood sugar levels can be difficult to control after the procedure and can be impacted by increased nausea and vomiting due to the use of anesthesia.
Despite these concerns, liposuction should be OK for people with diabetes if they meet the following criteria:
- They have not experienced kidney problems.
- They receive extra blood work to make sure their diabetes is under control.
Patients with type 2 diabetes should make an appointment to review their case with a certified surgeon before deciding whether or not to go through with the procedure. Noninvasive alternatives to liposuction could better serve patients who contend with diabetes. Although these procedures generally remove less fat per session and require longer periods for results to appear, they come with far fewer risks than invasive treatments. Browse through the noninvasive section of the website to learn about and discover which of these alternatives best aligns with your desires.