Can People With Type 2 Diabetes Have Liposuction?
Can People With Type 2 Diabetes Have Liposuction?
According to the FDA, about a third of Americans will develop type 2 diabetes, and the disease is rapidly growing throughout the country. Over 30 million Americans currently have diabetes, and over 80 million have pre diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes prevents the body’s cells from using insulin, which is produced in the pancreas and helps cells turn glucose into energy. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. This causes a wide variety of symptoms and can have serious health complications.
Not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight, but weight gain is strongly correlated with the disease. About 85 percent of people with the condition are overweight, so many are interested in liposuction to remove fat.
According to experts from the Cosmos Clinic, liposuction involves suctioning out fat cells from targeted areas of the body. This helps patients remove stubborn pockets of fat and achieve their ideal figure. Losing weight can help improve insulin resistance and lower blood pressure. However, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It only removes a few pounds of fat, and it’s possible to gain the weight back by not following healthy diet and exercise habits after the surgery.
One study from Washington University found that removing abdominal fat with liposuction had no effect on insulin sensitivity in people with and without type 2 diabetes. It also didn’t affect cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other symptoms associated with obesity. Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery, not one intended to improve the patient’s overall health. Therefore, it isn’t a recommended treatment option for diabetes or obesity.
Even though it isn’t a treatment for diabetes, some doctors approve liposuction for patients with the condition as long as they fulfill certain requirements. Patients whose diabetes is well-controlled and who haven’t had any kidney problems can be candidates for liposuction. Most surgeons recommend extra blood work before the procedure to ensure that the surgery will be safe.
There are also several safety concerns to be aware of when undergoing liposuction as a diabetic. All surgical procedures are risky for people with diabetes because the disease increases the chances of infection. Diabetes also slows down healing time, which can make the recovery difficult and increase the risk of complications. It can be difficult to control blood sugar levels after the operation, especially if the patient experiences nausea and vomiting after receiving general anesthesia. The lack of activity during recovery can affect blood sugar as well.
If your diabetes is not well-controlled or has been causing complications, surgeons will probably not consider you as a candidate for liposuction. Doctors also only recommend liposuction after patients have tried to reduce fat in the targeted area with diet and exercise. Everyone, including people with diabetes, should try lifestyle changes first for fat loss.
For those with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels should be the top priority. If your diabetes is well-controlled and you’re considering liposuction, consult with your doctor and a reputable cosmetic surgeon to find out if you could be a candidate.
