Liposuction and Plastic Surgery Information - Liposuction not suitable for childhood obesity

Liposuction not suitable for childhood obesity - ASPS

Thursday, 05 April 2007

Following media stories of obese teenagers seeking and undergoing liposuction, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has issued a warning that liposuction and tummy tucks are inappropriate ways for children and teenagers to lose weight.

"The teenage years can be extremely tough for kids who are teased about their weight; however, liposuction and tummy tucks are not the answer,"
said ASPS President Roxanne Guy, MD. "My message to young kids is that proper diet and exercise are still the best ways to slim down."

Medical studies have already established that liposuction does not provide any medical benefits to an obese patient. Other studies have shown that liposuction does not provide the same health benefits as diet-induced weight loss in obese people.

There was considerable media attention when Brooke Bates, a 12 year old girl who underwent liposuction in an attempt to shed some of her 220 lbs. However, the media controversy associated with this individual case should be put in context. In 2006, only two per cent of all plastic surgery procedures were performed on teens. The top three procedures were:

nose reshaping (47,800)
male breast reduction (14,000)
ear pinning (10,000)

"There is no doubt some teenagers may physically and psychologically benefit from having plastic surgery," said David Sarwer, Ph.D., associate
professor of psychology, Center for Human Appearance, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "For example, ear surgery or nose reshaping may significantly improve a teenager's self-esteem and body image. The desire to be thin, no matter how strong, does not justify the use of body contouring procedures to treat childhood obesity when there is no data supporting their effectiveness."

"Liposuction can be ideal for patients who have reached physical maturity, are at or near their ideal body weight, and have stubborn,
localized deposits of fat they want removed," said Dr. Guy.

Tags: liposuction, obesity, teen,