How much weight loss causes loose skin?
When one experiences rapid weight loss of about 20kg or more, the chances of loose skin increases as the collagen fibres do not have time to adapt and recover.
According to the World Health Organization in 2021, more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight globally, out of which 650 million are obese.
Being overweight and obese poses a real problem for the world population as they can lead to chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes and high blood pressure. Besides this, the extra weight also affects musculoskeletal health, putting stress on joints, potentially leading to osteoarthritis and affecting the quality of life.
The good news is that being overweight and obese is preventable. Losing weight requires willpower and dedication and, more importantly, making appropriate lifestyle changes and adopting the right methods.
The main motivator for those who want to lose weight is to improve overall health, lower the risks of chronic disease, enhance self-confidence and improve their quality of life, such as mood, sleep and energy level.
According to clinical data, an average weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of the body weight can significantly improve blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol. [1]
An energy imbalance between calorie intake and calorie output is the fundamental cause of overweight and obesity. For example, when your food intake is high in fat and sugars coupled with physical inactivity OR when you eat more required calories, your body converts and stores the extra calories as body fat.
Our bodies need nutritional energy such as fats, carbohydrates and proteins so that our vital organs can function properly. We fuel our bodies with energy when we eat and drink, which is used up through everyday movement.
To maintain a stable weight:
ENERGY (IN) = ENERGY (*USED)
*For normal bodily functions/physical activity
When we talk about "maintaining a healthy diet," it means balancing the energy one puts into the body with the energy used.
According to Health Promotion Board Singapore, the daily calorie intake for most females is 1800 kcal. For most males, the daily calorie intake is 2200 kcal. However, factors such as age, gender, physical activity level and body size also affect the amount of calories your body will need to keep going.
A calorie is a unit used to measure the energy value of food.
Your body will require fat, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water to function properly. Carbohydrates and protein yield 4 calories per gram, while fat yields 9 calories per gram.
To lose weight, an individual will need to consume FEWER calories than the body needs each day. However, weight loss is not as simple as it seems because factors such as hormonal changes, genetics, health condition and age play a part in the energy imbalance between calorie intake and calorie output.
It is a tailored programme created by Dr Ivan Puah to help individuals who want to lose extra weight safely and steadily.
During the consultation, Dr Puah will assess the patient’s health condition, discuss the weight loss goals in detail and develop the most appropriate plan.
Dr Puah believes that when patients gain the right knowledge, coupled with a fact-based and science-based approach he planned, patients can lose weight effectively and maintain it.
Addressing the root cause of weight gain is important as weight loss and management is more complex than just "calories in and out."
We can’t stress enough that the foundation for treating weight loss and obesity for some people is through exercise (fitness), making healthier food choices and lifestyle changes. Still, these are not enough for many others to lose and sustain weight loss.
Amaris B. Weight Loss & Management programme incorporates medical interventions such as metabolic medications (oral/injections) that help to suppress the neuroendocrine pathway for a more sustainable weight loss, with personalised diet recommendation and fitness regimen. Patients will be monitored and followed up closely while under this programme.
Losing weight can be stressful and tiring. We believe a holistic approach to weight loss encompasses a body, mind and health approach.
MLD Therapy can help you calm your nervous system, improve your digestive system, and stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen, nutrients and lymphatic fluid for a good overall health.
Skin is the biggest organ that bears the brunt of our neglect. The signs are sagging, stretch marks and cellulite. This calls for skin aesthetics treatment such as Ultherapy, lasers, or medical-grade skin peels to the rescue.
We often have patients asking this question, and understandably, it is easy to confuse the two. After all, isn’t losing weight and losing fat too?
In essence, weight loss indicates an overall body weight reduction from muscle, fat and water and a drop in your kilo weight. Fat loss is a reduction of fat mass.
Fat tissue (also known as adipose tissue) is responsible for storing fat (triglycerides) in our body. Subcutaneous fat is the soft, pinchable fat under the skin.
In comparison, intra-abdominal fat (visceral fat) is out of reach and packs around internal organs.
Under the influence of sex hormone production, males store more visceral fat, while women store more subcutaneous fat.
Weight loss can improve your overall health and fitness level and give you more energy. However, you can’t dictate the body to burn more fat or slim down on the specific body parts you want to.
Liposuction is the solution to get rid of the localised fat that does not respond to diet or workout.
This body contouring procedure can help remove stubborn and excess subcutaneous fat for a slimmer and more contoured physique.
It can remove fat from the face, arms, armpits, male chest, back, belly, waist, hips, thighs, knees and calves.
It’s purported that a fad diet can encourage rapid weight loss, which is enough to make many people overlook that there is not much scientific evidence behind its claims. Among others, followers of fad diets often find themselves having to submit to a regime that includes restrictions on what and when certain foods should be consumed. Additionally, these often involve consuming unnecessary and expensive food items and/or supplements.
There is no bullet magic when it comes to weight loss. Weight loss should be done correctly because shortcuts and cutting corners can lead to potentially severe outcomes.
Other red flags to look out for include the following:
A diet that promotes this particular practice is a big red flag. No one food can fulfil a body’s needs. Cutting out a type of food may be recommended (for medical reasons) but consuming only one type can border on the ridiculous.
Rapid weight loss can be detrimental to a person, especially over time. The body will go into chaos mode to deal with the hyper loss, which can lead to many other issues.
This is where what is suitable for A should be good for B. The problem is we are unique, and this requires a befitting approach. Understanding our body is crucial so that a tailored program can be drawn up to achieve true success - safely.
Undoubtedly, looking good helps raise a person’s confidence. Still, a real weight loss program should always include their well-being beyond what’s on the outside.
This is very important because any claim that can make a person healthier, such as weight loss, should always be backed by clear scientific evidence and/or proof. We tend to overlook this part because we are visual creatures of vanity and are easily taken in by what we see, such as images of success stories and the like.
The mentioned is not an exhaustive list, but it does serve as a good start. Ideally, one should consult a qualified and proven expert in the field before embarking on a weight loss program. Arranging a doctor’s consultation to better understand your body is a recommended first step. The goal is to lose weight without compromising your well-being.
At Amaris B. Clinic, we understand the quest to shed extra weight can be daunting for many. We provide tailored medical weight loss and management programmes prescribed by our medical director, Dr Ivan Puah, who holds a Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine.
Dr Ivan Puah is an accredited liposuction doctor and Chairman of Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore in Singapore with nearly two decades of surgical body contouring experience. He has completed fundamental and advanced Vaser Liposuction body sculpting surgical training under Dr John Milard and Dr Alfredo Hoyos in Argentina and Colorado.
Dr Puah is also trained in laserlipolysis (laser liposuction) in Italy and has received dedicated gynecomastia surgery training in San Francisco.
What causes unintentional weight gain?
A decrease in estrogen can cause women in menopause to experience weight gain around the abdominal region and the hips. Hormonal changes in your middle years can also cause your metabolism to slow down, leading to weight gain. Other medical conditions affecting hormone levels can cause weight gain in both sexes.
Can an ovarian cyst cause you to gain weight?
Ovarian cysts can cause you to gain weight. Some cysts are hormone-secreting cysts, which impact your health and weight. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is also interrelated to metabolic issues. This, in turn, can lead to weight gain.
Why does weight keep increasing?
The usual suspect for weight gain is consuming more calories than your body needs and burns. But the underlying problem could be an unknown health condition.
What kind of food causes weight gain?
Foods that cause the most weight gain include french fries, potato chips, sugar-sweetened drinks, fatty meat, processed meats, trans fat, potatoes, sweets and pastries.
Why can’t I lose weight despite exercising?
You lose weight in the kitchen but gain health in the gym. What you eat in private shows in public, so begin your weight loss journey from the kitchen. Eating the right food depends on your blood type, metabolism and more. The safest bet is to consume au naturale whole food.
I dieted and lost weight but why do I feel weak and tired?
While being overweight and obese is bad for your health, losing weight too fast is equally detrimental to your health. If you lose more than 1 kg a week for a sustained period, it is termed as "extreme weight loss."
You may notice that you feel cold frequently, your hair becomes brittle and falls off easily, and as your body is deprived of essential nutrients, feelings of weakness and fainting spells can occur. Due to insufficient calorie intake, your energy level takes a hit, too, causing you to feel tired, moody and weak.
A drastic or extreme diet is strongly discouraged as it can lead to electrolyte imbalances (these are critical for cellular function), a loss of muscle mass, gallstone formation, and a decrease in metabolism rate.
I noticed that I lost weight, but I am not dieting. Should I be worried?
If you are experiencing unusual weight loss over six months and losing more than 10 percent of your body weight, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Medical conditions that could possibly lead to unusual weight loss include thyroid-related problems, rheumatoid arthritis, gut-related diseases, diabetes, cancer, or clinical depression.
Does sleep deprivation cause you to lose weight?
Sleep deprivation causes hormonal imbalance, and this can lead to weight gain. But for the modern woman, getting adequate sleep is a luxury few have. It’s hard enough trying to juggle a successful career with other responsibilities. The last thing you need is excess weight pulling you back and slowing you down.
Reference
[1] Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC 24/7)
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.