Type 2 Diabetes and Liposuction - Is it Safe?

According to an estimate from the FDA, one in three Americans will develop type 2 diabetes during their lives. As of 2014, nearly 10\\% of the American population was living with the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that impacts the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose) AKA an important source of fuel for your body. With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells) or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes starts with resistance to insulin. Since insulin regulates the level of blood sugar in the body, a person with the condition can be subject to periods of low and high blood sugar. A resistance to insulin can lead to Type 2 diabetes as well as the need to regulate blood sugar levels on a daily basis. The disease is often found in people that are overweight. Since there are a large number of overweight people that have Type 2 diabetes, many of them consider having liposuction to remove fat cells from the body.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

The signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes take time to develop. It's possible to have Type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Some of the significant symptoms include:

• Increased thirst
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections
• Areas of darkened skin (usually in the armpits and neck)

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

It is easy to ignore Type 2 diabetes and this is especially true in the early stages when the symptoms aren't very evident. Once a patient becomes symptomatic, the condition impacts many major organs including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Controlling the blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications. Although the long-term complications of the condition are gradual, they can become disabling or even life-threatening. Some of the potential complications of diabetes include:

• Heart and blood vessel disease - Type 2 diabetes patients suffer from the risk of dramatically increasing heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and narrowing of the blood vessels.
• Nerve damage (neuropathy) - Nerve damage is one of the most deadly complications that results from Type 2 diabetes. The condition causes tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Eventually, you may lose all sense of feeling in the impacted limbs. There is also the possibility of suffering damage to the nerves that control digestion which can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.
• Kidney damage - Diabetes can sometimes lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Eye damage - Diabetes increases the risk of serious eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. It may damage the blood vessels of the retina and potentially lead to blindness.

How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Patients can prevent Type 2 diabetes with healthy lifestyle choices. Patients that have already received a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes can use healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent complications. If patients have pre-diabetes, lifestyle changes can slow or stop the progression of diabetes. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Eating healthy foods - The importance of eating healthy cannot be stressed enough. Eating the right foods can completely improve the level of health of a Type 2 diabetes patient. Choose foods lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Exercise – Exercise is an important routine in the lifestyle of a diabetic. Patients should get a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity, or 15 to 30 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, on most days.
• Keeping fit – Patients that are overweight can lose 5\\%-10\\% of their body weight to reduce the risk of diabetes. Focus on permanent changes to eating and exercise habits by remembering the benefits of losing weight such as a healthier heart, more energy and improved self-esteem.

Liposuction and Type 2 Diabetes Patients

The decision about whether or not liposuction is safe for diabetics can sometimes be hard to make. Liposuction is sometimes listed as a condition that is too dangerous for diabetics to undergo because:

• Any surgical procedure has high risks for people with diabetes since the condition increases the risk of post-op infection and slows down the healing process
• Blood sugar levels may be difficult to control after the surgery
• Blood sugar levels can be impacted by nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia as well as by a lack of activity during the recovery time

However, many physicians consider liposuction safe for diabetics if certain conditions are met:

• People with well-controlled diabetes, and who haven’t experienced kidney problems, are good candidates
• Surgeons work to keep the surgery safe by ordering extra blood work before the procedure to make sure patients have their diabetes under control

For patients who are concerned about surgery, or who have diabetes that is less controlled, SmartLipo is a good option to break down fat cells under the skin through the use of a laser that liquefies the fat

Patients with diabetes should consult with a board-certified doctor before making the decision to undergo liposuction. The doctor can perform a complete physical examination of the patient to determine the current state of the diabetes condition. The doctor can also determine if diabetes will impact the patient to the point that the surgery is too dangerous to perform.