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Wednesday, May 04th 2011
Lose a Fat Cell, Get a Fat Cell: Is Liposuction Worth It?
I couldn't help but think of the irony of it all when I read about the latest on liposuction earlier this week. Although it's the number one plastic surgery procedure in the U.S. – nearly half a million people each year willingly have it to reduce their much-hated saddlebags and poochie tummies – it's not foolproof.
Turns out that in the quest to shape and contour their bodies into perfection, patients are ending up with fat that shows up elsewhere, most assuredly where it’s not wanted; akin to an uninvited guest.
In other words, you might be minus the distressing saddlebags, but now you have fat in other places like your upper abdomen, around your shoulders or the triceps of your arms. As stated in the New York Times, the body "defends" its fat. Even if liposuction suctions out just a pound of the gelatinous goo, it will come back to haunt you back about a year later, albeit in a different guise.
In laboratory rats, studies have shown that when fat was surgically removed, it always came back, and it came back in places other than where it was removed. New fat cells grow to replace the ones that are lost. And scientists have found that although fat cells live an average of seven years, each time a fat cell dies, another one is formed and steps up to the plate.
Despite all this, the study that found all this new information also found that the women who had liposuction remained happy; they had gotten rid of the fat that they wanted banished. And what of the women in the control group – those who did not get the liposuction but were told they could get it after the study if they still wanted it?
More than half still chose to have the liposuction done.
Comments
May 11, 2011 13:May 1 | Donna Hull said
May 08, 2011 16:May 4 | Casey said
that is so WEIRD! Shows how
that is so WEIRD! Shows how little attention I pay to cosmetic surgery that I don't know anyone who's had this happen to them. Or if they did, they hide it well.
May 06, 2011 17:May 5 | rosalba said
Lose a fat...
Going under the knife for medical reasons is scary enough but, for vanity? I don't think so...
May 06, 2011 13:May 1 | Kris @ Attainable Sustainable said
This is NOT something I would
This is NOT something I would have done. I'd rather deal with a little excess fat than have someone messing around under my skin.
May 05, 2011 23:May 11 | Jane Boursaw said
Hmmm... I'm not sure I'd get
Hmmm... I'm not sure I'd get liposuction done - that's just weird that the fat shows up elsewhere. But I've certainly pondered some low-invasive face-tightening ideas. Or what about that cool-sculpting? Anyone have any intel on that?
May 05, 2011 20:May 8 | Vera Marie Badertscher said
Liposuction
Count me among those who have never considered it. Lord knows I've got enough extra to donate a few pounds, but I have enough real maladies without going to a doctor for the sake of looking different.
May 05, 2011 15:May 3 | Melanie said
Go under the knife then end
Go under the knife then end up with an even weirder shape? No thanks!
May 05, 2011 15:May 3 | Merr said
I have known women who have
I have known women who have had this procedure only to watch them gain weight afterwards. Perhaps the weight gain was new weight...or maybe a redistribution.
May 06, 2011 07:May 7 | Sheryl said
I've seen this too, Merr.
I've seen this too, Merr. Sometimes I think the person feels like they can go ahead and eat, since they won't get fat again. But sadly, it doesn't work like that.
May 05, 2011 15:May 3 | Kristen said
I've heard this. So one more
I've heard this. So one more reason to stick to the gym instead of the doctor's office!
May 05, 2011 10:May 10 | Roxanne said
This is EXACTLY why I'd never
This is EXACTLY why I'd never do it. I know people who have had this happen. It's one thing to be a naturally pear-shaped girl. It's another thing to try and change that and end up misshapen somewhere else.
May 06, 2011 07:May 7 | Sheryl said
I know. I can't seem to get
I know. I can't seem to get the image of the Michelin Man out of my head!
May 05, 2011 09:May 9 | Alexandra said
Have never understood the
Have never understood the desire to have liposuction. Your post only reinforced my lack of comprehension. Why do it, if the fat comes back?
May 06, 2011 07:May 7 | Sheryl said
You'd think so, but so many
You'd think so, but so many of the women in the study said they'd still do it again despite the fact that it comes back. I guess if there's an area of your body that is disproportionate with the others, it's worth it to them.
May 05, 2011 09:May 9 | Living Large said
Personally, I hate being
Personally, I hate being around doctors and hospitals so much, I would never have this done. But to each their own.
May 06, 2011 07:May 7 | Sheryl said
I agree - with both
I agree - with both statements. If someone wishes to get this done, I certainly would not judge them. What's important to one person is not necessarily important to another.
Nov 25, 2011 11:Nov 11 | Cynthia said
I agree with Sheryl
Thank you Sheryl! If someone wants lipo its their personal choice. I want lipo and breast augmentation. I am willing to take the risk and pay.
