Physiological and psychological changes following liposuction of large volumes of fat in overweight and obese women

Abstract

Background Liposuction can remove a substantial amount of body fat. We investigated the effects of liposuction of large volumes of fat on anthropometrics, body composition (BIA), metabolic hormones, and psychological measures in overweight/obese women. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine both physiological and psychological changes following liposuction of large volumes of fat in humans. Method Nine premenopausal healthy overweight/obese women (age = 35.9 ± 7.1 SD, weight = 84.4 kg ± 13.6, BMI = 29.9 kg/m2 ± 2.9) underwent liposuction, removing 3.92 kg ± 1.04 SD of fat. Following an overnight fast, height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences were measured at baseline (one week pre-surgery) and post-surgery (wk 1,4,12). Blood samples were drawn for fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Examination Self-Report (BDDE-SR), and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS) were administered. Results Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat consistently decreased over time (p < .05). Glucose did not change significantly, but insulin decreased from wk 1 to wk 12 (p < .05). Leptin decreased from baseline to wk 1 (p = .01); ghrelin increased but not significantly. Changes in body fat and waist circumference (baseline to wk 1) correlated positively with changes in insulin during that period, and correlated inversely with changes in ghrelin (p < .05). BSQ scores decreased significantly over time (p = .004), but scores for BDDE-SR (p = .10) and ZDS (p = .24) did not change significantly. Conclusion Liposuction led to significant decreases in body weight and fat, waist circumference, and leptin levels. Changes in body fat and waist circumference correlated with concurrent changes in the adipose-related hormones, insulin and ghrelin (baseline to wk 1), and body shape perception improved. Thus, besides the obvious cosmetic effects, liposuction led to several positive body composition, hormonal, and psychological changes.

Association Between Anthropometric Measurements and the Amount of Fat Aspirated in Waist and Abdominal Liposuction: A 20-year Retrospective Study

“…And some studies have found that central obesity is positively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and some other diseases (26,27). Other studies showed that waist circumference decreased signi cantly after liposuction (F 3,24 = 44.5, p < 0.001; post hoc, all p's < 0.03) (28)(29)(30). However, to our knowledge, very few studies have discussed the connection between WC and liposuction volume and provided an equation for lipoaspirate estimation.…”

The Effects of Large Volume Liposuction on Body Weight

“…Saleh et al, [7] in their study showed that significant effect in buttock and thigh measurements preoperatively and 4 months after large volume liposuction. Geliebter et al, [13], found that abdominal circumference decreased overtime, in periods from October 2015 to May 2017 with total of 83 patients.…”

“…Geliebter et al, [13], demonstrated that body composition analysis at 10 weeks after liposuction caused a (9.4±1.8) kgreduction in body fat (16±2%) of total fat mass. While the visceral adipose tissuedid not change.…”

Effect of Liposuction on Overweight/Obese Patients’ Eating Concerns, Body Shape Concerns, and Self-esteem

“…In agreement with these results, a study in New York, United States using the same BSQ tool reported significant improvements in body shape concerns following liposuction. [30] A main objective of cosmetic interventions in general, and liposuction in particular, is to improve patients' selfesteem. In the present study, the scores of self-esteem were low in all its three domains of appearance, academic performance, and social evaluation.…”