Will Liposuction Help or Hurt a Diabetic Patient?

Question

I am a 5 yr diabetic, which is not well controlled.  I weigh 165lbs at 5'4''.  Can having the surgery help or harm me?

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

You should be fine having liposuction with diabetes, but make sure your sugars are well controlled around the time of surgery. Also, whether or not liposuction is beneficial to alleviate diabetes is controversial. So, don't have the procedure if your goal is to cure your diabetes. Talk with your plastic surgeon about your aesthetic goals to make sure it's safe for you and make sure your primary care doctor clears you for any surgical procedure. Good luck!

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is very general.  There are risks of undergoing surgery if you are diabetic and your sugars are not well controlled.  Please see your endocrinologist and come up with a plan for controlling your sugars.  Once you are stable, then consider surgery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Well controlled diabetes is not a contraindication to liposuction surgery and/or other elective plastic surgical procedures. Always best to check with your primary care physician or endocrinologist for “medical clearance” prior to surgery. Managing your sugar level around the time of surgery (to avoid hypo as well as hyperglycemia), while you will have altered oral intake, will be important.

When the time is right, seek consultation with well experienced board certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you would be pleased with. It will be important to educate yourself about the potential risks/complications associated with surgery and have a good idea of realistic expectations.

I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Louis DeLuca, MD · Answer

Good Morning Shab,

	Patients with diabetes have a slightly higher risk for complications such as wound healing and infection. Fortunately, these are rare occurrences and a diabetic patient can certainly be an excellent candidate for liposuction. It is important to recognize that liposuction can help to remove excess fat and improve contour in various areas, but it will provide little beneficial effect associated with to the physiologic issues associated with diabetes.

	Interstingly, I have found is that many of my patients with a weight problem have used liposuction as an impetus for behavior modification including diet and exercise routines that provide long term results. If for no other reason, work with your doctor to get your diabetes well-controlled so you can minimize the complications associated with your condition.

Shain A. Cuber, MD · Answer

Diabetics can have an increased complication rate after surgery. Longer healing times and a higher infection can occur, but they are much more common in patients that don't have a tightly controlled blood glucose level. That is in addition to the other medical problems that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. Once your blood sugar is in control, you can have a great result with liposuction just like any other patient and I have performed liposuction on several diabetics with a wonderful outcome. Good luck.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD · Answer

Many diabetic patients think that if I reduce my fat, I will reduce my diabetes.  It is not true. A type I diabetic does not produce insulin from the pancreas, so losing weight or fat will not change that condition. A type II diabetic, or adult onset, is usually genetic and is related to being overweight or obese. Liposuction normally removes only 2-3 pounds, so it will not have any affect on your control
You need to be aware that uncontrolled diabetes increases your risk of infection and poor healing. So there doesn't seem to be any reason to consider liposuction. Also remember that poorly controlled diabetes will ultimately lead to kidney problems, arterial blockage and vision problems. The better your control, the lower the risks.
Discuss these issues with your Diabetes MD.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Shab
The problem is not the diabetes but the control. I have operated on many diabetics successfully and without complication. I suggest you discuss your problem with your internist and if need be your endocrinologist. Once under control most plastic surgeons have no problem with conservative liposuction on a diabetic with clearance from their medical doctors.
Good Luck!

Michael Diaz, MD · Answer

I would be very careful with cosmetic surgery. Diabetics tend to have higher complication rates, especially with liposuction. I generaly will not operate on patients whose diabetes is not well controlled.
I recomend that you talk to your family physician first about your surgical plans. Your diabetes should be well controlled before having any cosmetic surgery.

Will Liposuction Help or Hurt a Diabetic Patient?

Answers (8)

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