While there are plenty of weight loss programs that incorporate calorie-counting, weight training, and intermittent fasting, there is still the matter of eliminating localised stubborn fat that does not budge despite a strict diet or exercise regime. Undoubtedly, we can derive benefits from exercising and intermittent fasting. Such benefits include a reduction in overall body weight, improvement in cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels. On the other hand, fat reduction treatments can reduce and remove targeted stubborn pockets of fat that tend to persist around the belly area, thighs, and arms. To help you understand more about fat reduction treatments, we will discuss VASER Lipo and fat freezing.

In terms of suitability, both fat freezing and VASER Lipo are not gender-specific and both men and women can opt for these treatments. However, individuals struggling with obesity may not be ideal candidates for these procedures. The most suitable candidates for treatment are individuals who have an ideal weight range with decent skin elasticity.

Understanding Body Fat

Before we look at fat reduction options such as VASER Lipo and fat freezing, we first need to understand how our bodies utilise and store energy from the food we consume. When food enters our bodies,  we will break the nutrients down into amino acids, fatty acids, or glucose accordingly. The types of food that we consume are important, as they provide different types of nutrients that our bodies need in order to function properly. Calories or nutrients that are consumed in excess will mostly be kept as reserves in our bodies in the form of adipose (fat) tissue.

When our bodies lose weight, they lose both body fat and muscle mass. However, during weight loss, fat cells are not reduced proportionately from our bodies. Some areas will experience more fat loss while others are lesser. How our bodies respond to weight loss depends a lot on our DNA, age, and gender.  This is why you hear some people mention that when they lose weight, their bulging tummy is the first area to go while others may complain that their breasts are the parts that reduce the most. 

Targeting fat reduction from specific body areas is difficult with only dieting and exercise. Lifestyle changes are insufficient to target and reduce these localised fat cells significantly. Only through targeted fat reduction treatment/procedures are we able to reduce these localised fat cells from troubled areas such as the belly, thighs, and others. 

Fat Freezing

Cryolipolysis or otherwise commonly known as fat freezing is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that is purported to be able to get rid of fat tissues without any surgical risks involved.  This procedure involves vacuuming the targeted areas with a handheld device and applying subzero temperatures to freeze fat cells that are present underneath the skin. Eventually, these frozen fat cells will be disposed of as waste, and your body will then metabolize and expel them via natural means. After treatment, you can expect some redness and swelling but these side effects will subside over time. There may also be some mild bruising and discomfort, similar to that of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after an intense workout.   

Disadvantages Of Fat Freezing

Although fat freezing is a common non-surgical fat reduction treatment, it poses several drawbacks. Firstly, there is a risk that the skin’s surface could become irregular once it has healed. Secondly, multiple sessions are required to achieve some fat reduction results. Since more than one treatment session is required, the next session can only be performed 6 to 8 weeks after the initial session. This is the amount of time we need to fully expel the damaged fat cells from our bodies. Thirdly, the results of fat freezing are not evident immediately as it is a gradual process. It can take anywhere between 3 to 6 months to achieve some substantial results. Finally, one rare but serious side effect that may occur from fat freezing is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH), whereby the size of fat cells expand after cryolipolysis. 

Fat Freezing Side Effect: Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)

Picture above: Image of a patient suffering from PAH as a result of fat freezing.

Fat freezing carries the potential risk of a side effect known as Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). While the likelihood of this side effect occurring is rare, it is not unheard of. PAH is a condition where an area of fat hardens and appears larger after fat freezing. Instead of shrinking in size, the treated area becomes larger and more tender over time. In addition to the uncomfortable and disproportionate lumps on the treated areas, it is understandable that PAH can also lead to emotional distress and a loss of confidence as the condition worsens. Unfortunately, PAH is permanent in nature and can only be treated surgically with surgical fat removal such as liposuction or VASER Lipo. 

VASER Lipo vs Fat Freezing

Picture above: Dr. Ivan Puah performing VASER Liposuction surgery at his MOH accredited OT.

A different type of fat removal option is VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) Lipo, a form of ultrasonic-assisted liposuction, which was introduced to the Singapore market in 2008 by Dr. Ivan Puah and two other doctors. The beauty of this treatment is that it uses a special VASER probe that emits high ultrasonic frequencies to separate and emulsify the fat tissues for extraction. VASER Liposuction is a lot less traumatic, less painful as compared to traditional liposuction. As it only targets fat tissues selectively, other important connective tissues and blood vessels are left relatively undisturbed, which means that the chances of bruising and severe downtime are greatly minimized and avoided.  

With over 15 years of surgical experience in VASER Lipo, Dr. Ivan Puah has developed his own proprietary approach known as the MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique. This approach coupled with the technological advancement of VASER yields not just permanent fat removal, but also a sculpted physique for the patient, in accordance with the patient’s unique body shape.

“Generally, the results from non-surgical body contouring are slower than surgical body contouring ones such as liposuction or VASER Liposuction. In a majority of cases, surgical fat removal yields immediate visible results since more than 90% of localised fat is removed in one surgical session. On the other hand, non-surgical fat reduction claims to only reduce up to 25% of localised fat. It will take multiple sessions for non-surgical treatments to produce some results. This can inevitably lead to complaints by patients, a drop in a patient’s satisfaction rate, and higher costs from having multiple sessions,” says Dr. Ivan Puah. 

One other advantage that VASER Lipo has over Fat Freezing is its capability to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. So essentially, patients will have both permanent fat removal as well as   skin tightening benefits during the VASER Lipo process.

Liposuction Not Just By Any Doctor

Before opting for VASER Lipo in Singapore, we cannot overstate the importance of sourcing for doctors with credibility and experience. A credible doctor must have proper professional training, valid experience, and accreditation from the Ministry of Health Singapore. Moreover, it is critical to find a doctor who can strike a fine balance between science and art. Just like a sculptor, it takes knowledge, experience, and a keen artistic sense for a doctor to help you achieve your body goals.  

Body Sculpting: 30% Science And 70% Art

Amaris B. Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Ivan Puah, holds this philosophy when it comes to body sculpting procedures. Although it takes the scientific know-how and experience to carry out body contouring treatments, it takes a real artistic eye to sculpt an aesthetically-pleasing physique while keeping things looking natural. In addition to a keen eye for natural beauty, attention to detail and years of experience are vital to charting out the precise areas for safe and effective fat reduction.

Due to the delicate nature of body sculpting treatments, the Ministry of Health Singapore has strict requirements for carrying out liposuction procedures in Singapore. In fact, only a selected handful of doctors are given the accreditation to perform liposuction locally. Dr. Ivan Puah is an accredited liposuction doctor and has been performing liposuction, various types of body sculpting, and enhancement procedures including VASER Lipo, VASER Hi-Def Lipo, gynecomastia surgery, and fat grafting for over 15 years.  

He is also a VASER-certified physician with professional training in Colorado and Argentina for VASER Body Sculpting. Under the tutelage of a renowned French plastic surgeon, Dr. Puah has received mentorship and training in syringe liposculpture. He is also the only doctor in Singapore to receive dedicated surgical training in performing gynecomastia surgery in San Francisco. 

Your Comfort And Well-Being Is Dr. Ivan Puah’s Priority

At Amaris B. Clinic, your trust, comfort, safety, and well-being are their utmost concern. Before any procedure, Dr. Ivan Puah and his team will address your concerns and discuss the expected results, different treatment stages as well as aftercare steps during the initial consultation.

Dr. Ivan Puah values attention to detail and is meticulous in his approach to body sculpting and aesthetic procedures. In addition to professional training in syringe liposculpture, he also has extensive knowledge and experience in fat grafting and thread lifts. Dr. Ivan Puah serves as the chairman of the Liposuction Peer Review Committee in Singapore and is also the appointed trainer for doctors on injectables such as Botox and fillers by Merz Singapore and Allergan Singapore.

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Disclaimer: Costs and individual results may vary. Images above are for illustrative purposes only.