Dec Feature: Burn Fat without Exercise!
We all know that diet and exercise is the key to fat loss. However, not all of us are fans of intensive workouts at the gym! What can we do to maintain our figure amidst the festive feasting? In Dec’s feature, Dr Karen Soh, medical director of Privé shares with us two treatments that can help burn fat without breaking a sweat – Emsculpt and Coolsculpting.
Q: When it comes to fat loss treatments, it’s never a permanent thing, and how you care for your “new” figure is important. What is your advice for maintaining the results of your Emsculpt and Fat Freezing treatments? What is the after-care like?
A: As your body will flush out the treated fat cells and will continue to do so the next 2-3 months after the fat freezing session, it is important to remain patient while the body eliminates the waste. Avoid overeating and try to maintain your post-treatment weight. There are no specific after-care procedures, only to be mindful of your diet. Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out toxins and waste more effectively. You should also observe a healthy balance diet while limiting sugars, simple carbohydrates, saturated fats and processed food. Emsculpt helps to build muscles while burning fat; muscles should be consistently engaged for maintenance so hitting the gym or doing weights at home could help the results last longer.
Q: When can you see results from an Emsculpt and Fat Freezing treatment, how many treatments do you need to do for best results, and how long do the results last? Also, how long should you wait in-between treatments, and why?
A: It often takes a few treatments to get optimum results, and there are a lot of factors that play a part in achieving good results – for instance, their age, skin quality and elasticity, body fat percentage etc. Most patients will feel that the treated area is firmer and tighter within days. Most patients would require a minimum of 4 sessions, spaced 2-3 days apart for optimal results. They would typically see results about 2 weeks after their final treatment and will continue to improve for the next several weeks. However, as it is with muscles, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. Hence, regular treatments are required to maintain.
For Fat freezing, results may last indefinitely as the treated fat cells will be flushed and permanently removed from the body. As long as you maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle so that you don’t encourage the growth of new fat cells, the results will be maintained. It may take several weeks for the full results to become apparent, but once the fat cells have been metabolize and eliminated, they are gone forever. As your body takes time to metabolise and remove the treated fat cells, you may need to wait 2 months in between treatments on the same area to see if a repeat cycle is necessary.
Q: Is it possible to do both Emsculpt and Fat Freezing treatments together — Do both treatments complement each other? Or is it the case of choosing one or the other?
A: Yes, it is possible to do both treatments together since they complement each other. At Privé, we recommend doing Fat Freezing first to eliminate the fat cells from the body, followed by Emsculpt to tone and build muscle as the body fat percentage needs to be low enough for muscles growth results to show. We usually recommend waiting 2 weeks in between treatments.
Q: How do I know which treatment – Emsculpt or Fat Freezing, is better suited for my concerns?
A: Fat Freezing assists in fat reduction, while Emsculpt is designed to help build new muscle fibers and tone existing ones for more defined/ sculpted muscles while simultaneously burning fat. Emsculpt requires good patient selection and accurate diagnostic evaluation. For instance, adults in good shape who desire more definition of their abs or lifting of the buttocks are ideal candidates. It is well-suited for those who work out regularly but just can’t seem to get a six-pack or a perky buttock. Good candidates are those already physically active and adhere to a healthy diet and lifestyle, with a low body fat percentage. The best candidates for Fat Freezing are those with noticeable fat bulges in certain areas they would like to get rid of, and have sufficient pinchable fat to treat. While Fat Freezing is a great non-surgical alternative to liposuction, do note that it is not a weight loss solution for people who are obese. A detailed body analysis with our doctor is crucial to determine your course of treatment. It will allow us to understand your specific concerns, the severity and the overall quality of your skin.
Q: What body types/physiques are completely unsuitable for either Emsculpt or Fat Freezing treatments, and why?
A: People who are obese may not benefit as much – These treatments are designed to target and treat stubborn fat cells or muscles in a specific area rather than overall weight loss, and hence may not be sufficient to yield desirable results for obese individuals. However, they may still benefit from these treatments when complemented with a healthy lifestyle, exercise and prescription medication (if needed). We would advise obese patients to come for a consultation so we can tailor a treatment plan for them.
Q: What are some important things to take into consideration when thinking of doing a treatment like Emsculpt and/or Fat Freezing?
A: The commitment for Emsculpt would typically take 4 sessions over a span of 2 weeks. It can be done very quickly in 30 minutes, 20 minutes for arms and there is no downtime. For Fat Freezing, you may experience some temporary discomfort during and after your treatment when the treated area is being massaged, to help break up the fat and enhance the results. Both treatments are not meant for weight loss.
