Plastic surgeons often advise patients to exercise after they've recovered from liposuction surgery in order to maintain the results. But can exercise after liposuction prevent looming health risks? A recent study by researchers from the University of São Paulo has revealed that exercise after liposuction surgery can prevent the development of harmful visceral fat. The study results were published in the latest issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Health benefits of exercise after liposuction
Researchers followed 36 women in the months after they received liposuction to remove abdominal fat. None of the women had engaged in regular exercise before the surgery. Two months after their liposuction, half of the women were instructed to begin a regular exercise routine. They worked out three times per week, while the other 18 women continued with their pre-surgical routines.
Four months after the liposuction surgeries, the Brazilian researchers found that all of the study participants still had flatter bellies. However, the women who had not exercised experienced an increase in visceral fat. These fatty deposits did not increase in the exercising group.
Four months after the surgeries, the researchers found that all of the study participants still had flatter bellies. However, the women who had not exercised experienced an increase in visceral fat, which did not develop in the group that had exercised.
What is visceral fat?
Fatty deposits that surround the internal organs, especially the liver, are known as visceral fat. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which can be targeted through liposuction, visceral fat lies deep within the abdominal cavity and can often go undetected. Visceral fat has been linked to a number of health issues, which include:
- metabolic disturbances
- heart disease
- diabetes
- breast cancer
Conclusion: exercise after liposuction is vital
The researchers concluded that “if one should choose to undergo liposuction, it is very important [to] exercise after surgery.” While many people may believe that liposuction is a weight-loss strategy, this surgery is designed to remove fatty deposits in places that have not responded to diet and exercise. It is often used to tighten up a patient's curves after they have already experienced major weight loss. To schedule a consultation with our Plastic Surgeon San Antonio patients can call Dr. Ortegon today at (210) 614-4320!