A botched Hi-Def Liposuction can impact the patient's well-being & mental health. Here are the common complications to look out for & what to do about it.
December 20, 2024
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While plenty of weight loss programs 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.
Fat reduction treatments (non-surgical and surgical) can reduce 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 Liposuction and fat freezing.
In terms of suitability, 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 treatment candidates are individuals with an ideal weight range with decent skin elasticity.
Understanding Body Fat
Before we look at fat reduction options such as Vaser Liposuction and Fat Freezing, we first need to understand how our bodies utilise and store energy from our food. Calories 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 body fat and muscle mass. However, fat cells are not reduced proportionately from our bodies during weight loss. Some areas will experience more fat loss while others are lesser. How our bodies respond to weight loss depends greatly on our genes, 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 reduce this localised fat significantly. Only through targeted fat reduction treatment/procedures can we reduce these localised fat cells from troubled areas such as the belly, thighs, and others.
Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis)
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, as your body will metabolize and expel them naturally. 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 time we need to expel the damaged fat cells from our bodies fully.
Thirdly, fat freezing results are not evident immediately as it is a gradual process. Achieving some substantial results can take between 3 to 6 months. Finally, one rare but serious side effect that may occur from fat freezing is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH), whereby the size of fat cells expands after cryolipolysis.
Fat Freezing Side Effect: Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)
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, the treated area becomes more prominent 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, once formed, PAH is permanent and can only be treated surgically with liposuction or Vaser Liposuction.
Vaser Liposuction vs Fat Freezing
VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) Liposuction, is a form of ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. It was introduced to the Singapore in 2008 by Dr. Ivan Puah and two other doctors.
Vaser Liposuction is a lot less traumatic, and less painful as compared to traditional liposuction. As it only targets fat tissues selectively, other vital connective tissues and blood vessels are left relatively undisturbed, which means the chances of bruising and severe downtime are greatly reduced.
“Generally, the results from non-surgical body contouring are slower than surgical body contouring ones such as liposuction or Vaser Liposuction. In most cases, surgical fat removal yields immediate visible results since more than 90% of localised fat are 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 patient complaints, a drop in a patient’s satisfaction rate, and higher costs from having multiple sessions,” says Dr Ivan Puah.
One other advantage that Vaser Liposuction has over Fat Freezing is its capability to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. So essentially, patients can achieve permanent fat removal and skin tightening benefits with Vaser Liposuction.
Liposuction Not Just By Any Doctor
Before opting for Vaser Liposuction 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 Ministry of Health Singapore accreditation. It is critical to find a doctor who can strike a delicate balance between science and art.
Body Sculpting: 30% Science And 70% Art
Amaris B. Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr Ivan Puah, holds this philosophy regarding body sculpting procedures.
Although it takes the scientific know-how and experience to carry out body contouring treatments, it takes an 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 the targeted areas for safe and effective fat reduction.
Dr Ivan Puah is an accredited liposuction doctor and has been performing liposuction, various types of body sculpting, and enhancement procedures, including 4D Liposuction (Hi-Definition Lipo), gynecomastia surgery, and fat grafting for over 15 years.
He received professional training in Colorado and Argentina for Vaser Liposuction. Under the tutelage of a 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.
Over the years, Dr Puah’s “30% science and 70% art” approach to body sculpting has earned Amaris B. Clinic multiple accolades. This includes the “2019 Body Sculpting Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific” and “2020 Body Sculpting Medical Center of the Year in Asia Pacific” by Global-Health Asia Pacific. These recognitions are presented to medical entities that consistently maintain high standards of quality care based on market research, consumer surveys, and a panel of medical industry experts and professionals.
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, and aftercare steps.
Dr. Ivan Puah values attention to detail and is meticulous in his approach to body sculpting and aesthetic procedures. Dr Ivan Puah is the chairman of the Liposuction Peer Review Committee in Singapore. He is also the appointed trainer for doctors on injectables such as cosmetic injectables by Merz Aesthetics Singapore and Allergan Singapore.
