Changes in Selected Morphological Parameters and Body Composition, as Well as Mean Body Surface Temperature Assessed by Thermal Imaging, in Women After Abdominal Liposuction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess changes in selected morphological parameters and body composition, as well as in the mean body surface temperature determined by thermal imaging, in women after abdominal liposuction. As abdominal tissue edema and inflammation often persist after liposuction, body composition and surface temperatures were analyzed 3 months after surgery, during a control visit to the clinic. The 12-week delay allowed to eliminate the confounding effects of post-surgical inflammation on our results. We found a statistically significant decrease in all the analyzed morphological parameters and a change in body composition. A reduction in the subcutaneous fat tissue in the abdomen resulted in upward trends in the surface temperature of most of the analyzed areas, with a highly significant increase in the abdominal area. These studies can be considered pioneering and significant in confirming the role of subcutaneous fat as a factor regulating the body surface temperature.