Indiana Plastic Surgery Blog

No, we can’t claim that fat of all kinds, amounts and shapes is healthy or fashionable. However, medical research suggests that fat around the hips, thighs and buttocks may work advantageously against heart and metabolic diseases.

Hip fat burns at a slower rate than tummy fat, a distinction that, for the body, means the release of fewer cytokines associated with health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Additionally, hip fat absorbs harmful fatty acids, and produces anti-inflammatory agents and adiponectin, the fat-derived hormone that assists in moderating metabolic functions and suppresses the development of diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity.

When you carry lots of fat around the tummy, you have a higher risk for both diabetes and heart disease. Also known as visceral fat, this dangerous fat lies closer to vital organs, whereas subcutaneous fat is situated closer to the skin and is more visually accessible. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are the culprit here, a protein that accelerates inflammation. As Dr. Rallie McAllister explains, “pear-shaped individuals tend to have more subcutaneous fat, while people who are apple-shaped tend to have more visceral fat.” In other words, it’s better to be a Jennifer Lopez than a Rosie O’Donnell.

Yet another advantage of the healthier, hip fat is that it more stubbornly resists modification compared to tummy fat, and therefore releases fewer cytokines. No longer an aesthetic enemy, hip fat indicates health, and as we all know — health is beauty.

The trick, then, is to keep the waist trim while maintaining the full shape of the thighs, buttock and hips. This might be a challenge for science, a task that has already caught the attention of researchers at Oxford University who believe that we may in the future be able to redistribute body fat to the hips in order to benefit from the purported health benefits.

Related Links

• BBC News: “Having a big bum, hips and thighs is healthy”
• Body Shape, Fat Distribution May Be  Best Predictor of Health Risks

Q: What is the best type of liposuction?

A: While the operator is always the most important factor, several new liposuction platforms have been introduced in recent years. There is no best method because each platform has particular benefits. For example, water assisted liposuction is great for removing a large volume of fat, while ultrasonic liposuction is great for precise body contouring.

Q: Why do I keep hearing about new liposuction methods?

A: Plastic and cosmetic surgeons are trying to set themselves apart with more effective liposuction methods. You might hear about “reduced downtime” or “reduced trauma to surrounding tissues” in the marketing for these procedures; just know that any proven liposuction technique will utilize the same basic tools as the standard tumescent liposuction technique.

Q: Can I get liposuction anywhere on my body? What is the most common area to treat?

A: Many people aren’t aware that liposuction can be done on so many areas of the body. While the abdomen and thighs are probably most common, you can also get liposuction below your chin or even on the ankles.

Q: What type of doctor is most qualified to perform liposuction?

A: See a board-certified plastic surgeon for your liposuction.

Q: Is liposuction “minimally-invasive” like some of the advertising says?

A: The techniques have improved over time, making recovery quicker and incisions smaller, but liposuction is still cosmetic surgery. It’s not like getting a quick Botox injection.

Click here to read more about Liposuction in Munster, Indiana.