Metabolic modulation by lipoplasty: a case report and invitation for investigators

Metabolic modulation refers to the change in glucose metabolism that may be caused by the reduction in body fat after large-volume liposuction. Since the authors began doing liposuction in 1989, they have had several diabetic patients whose insulin or oral diabetic needs have been substantially reduced after liposuction. When the charts for these patients were reviewed, it was found that they had improved diets, increased exercise, and decreased weight. The authors were uncertain about the relation between fat removal and metabolic modulation. They recently had a patient whose fasting blood sugar went from 200 to 100 mg after large-volume liposuction, and has stayed that way for more than 1 year. In addition, this patient lost 60 more pounds in the year after liposuction. It appears that removal of fat may improve several metabolic parameters, so the authors have started a multicenter study to evaluate this finding.