Effects of orlistat on visceral fat after liposuction

Liposuction can aggravate metabolic complications associated with obesity. It has been shown that the recovery of weight lost through these interventions is associated with body fat redistribution toward the visceral cavity, increasing metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease such as insulin resistance and high triglyceride levels.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of liposuction on body mass redistribution and metabolic parameters 6 months after surgery and to evaluate the use of orlistat treatment (tetrahydrolipstatin) in controlling these parameters.

A population of 31 women with a mean body mass index of 26.17+/-3.9 kg/m(2) and undergoing liposuction of more than 1,000 cm(3), was studied. Twelve of them were treated postsurgery with 120 mg of orlistat every 8 hours for the following 6 months. Anthropometric, analytical, and radiological (computed tomography) tests were performed to quantify visceral fat area before surgery and 6 months after surgery.

Despite weight loss after liposuction, visceral fat was not modified. Patients treated with orlistat showed a greater reduction in visceral fat, although not statistically significant. Orlistat use induced a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values of 20.0+/-22.5 mg/dL, compared with an increase of 8.46+/-20.1 mg/dL in controls (p=.07).

Visceral fat does not decrease despite weight loss after liposuction. Orlistat use postliposuction might be a useful tool because it shows a tendency to reduce visceral fat and improve blood lipids profile.