DENVER -- Researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center will conduct the first federally-funded, long-term study of body fat changes in patients following liposuction surgery. A small study conducted at CU-Health Sciences Center in 1991 showed the body replaced fat after it was removed in some patients, and the same research team has received NIH funding to investigate the findings further.

"If fat does return after liposuction in some patients, we would like to know how this works," said Dr. Robert H. Eckel, professor of medicine in the division of Endocrinology at CU School of Medicine, and lead investigator of both studies. "The process of how the body regulates fat distribution is poorly understood, and there may be genetic reasons fat cells come back in some people and not in others."

Fifty-five participants in the three-year study will be randomly selected to either receive the surgery or be placed in a non-surgery control group. Both groups will have advanced screenings, tests and monitoring for up to three years.

Liposuction will be performed on the first group by leading surgeons at the University of Colorado Hospital. While the surgery is not free, the cost is reduced, and all patients will receive some compensation and three years of monitoring and screenings. All control group patients also will have the opportunity to have the surgery at the same reduced rate after the study.

If you are a healthy, normal or slightly overweight man or woman age 18 to 50 who plans to have liposuction in the abdomen for men, or thighs or buttocks for women, you could qualify for this study. People who are morbidly obese, who have health problems or who have diabetes will not be able to participate.

Those interested in participating in this long-term liposuction study should call the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at (303) 315-4542.