I never knew that aging can result in a natural decrease in certain hormones which accelerates after 30 until I personally experience it in myself.
I'm currently in my mid-30s and I'm very curious about it and what these changes will bring to my body. So I went online to do a research and found out that it is, in fact, very normal to have a significant decrease in estrogen in females, testosterone in males, and growth hormone in both sexes as we age. These three hormones play important metabolic roles and the decrease in these hormones cause a decrease in metabolism and ultimately impacts our waistlines.
What's more frustrating was that the dip in our metabolic rate after 30 makes it very difficult for me to lose the weight even with strict dieting and exercising.
Just like most of the working adults, I have a day job which requires me to be desk-bound from 9 pm - 6 pm every day. What's worse, I enjoy relaxing on a sofa to use my smartphone when I get home. Although I do go for jogs once or twice a week, I do know that that is not enough.
This was me taken 5 years ago when I was 29 years old (not yet 30).
This was me taken before my Liposuction procedure this year.
I felt so disgusted that I feel like cutting the fat off my body so that I can be slim again. I believe a lot of people have fantasized about it but never attempted it, of course.
I tried drinking the Cucumber Lemon Mint Ginger Water recipe that was on the internet but it didn't seem to help a single bit.
I went on to google to find out if there are treatments that can help me to get rid of my body fat and found out that CoolSculpting and Vaser LipoSelection are two available options I have in Singapore. They are designed to remove excess fat and contour your body to help you achieve a better figure.
Here are the differences between Vaser LipoSelection and CoolSculpting to help you better understand why I chose liposuction in the end.
What is LipoSelection?
Vaser LipoSelection is a high tech liposuction technique that uses ultrasound energy to melt the fat before it is sucked out. The ultrasound energy is delivered by inserting an ultrasound probe into the fat and moving it back and forth in a fan-shaped pattern to break down the fat. After the fat has been liquefied, it is removed by a liposuction cannula.
Liquefying the fat is very helpful as it allows the surgeon to remove the fat more aggressively yet with a lower risk of creating grooves and depressions.
Another positive effect of the ultrasound energy is that it tightens the skin, which is very useful because the removal of fat tends to create skin laxity.
Advantages of Liposuction
• more aggressive and complete fat reduction
• better contouring result
• more immediate results
• the possibility of combining heat-energy skin tightening technologies
• the possibility of simultaneous surgical procedures
Disadvantages of Liposuction
• the possible surgical risks
• the downtime of a few days with some activity restrictions for 3 to 6 weeks
• the potential for surface irregularities
What is Cool Sculpting?
Coolscupting is a non-invasive fat freezing treatment that allows us to get rid of unwanted fat without surgery. Coolsculpting uses a technology called cryolipolysis cause the fat cells to undergo cell death. These dead fat cells are then removed by the body’s natural physiologic processes.
Advantage of CoolSculpting™
• a noninvasive technology
• no or minimal downtime
• fewer risks (though not risk-free)
• treatment at a lower price, depending on the amount done
• a treatment option for those who can’t have or don’t want surgery
Disadvantages of CoolSculpting™
• less dramatic results compared with liposuction
• surface irregularities
• rare risks of pain or paradoxical increase in fat
• treatable body part areas is limited by the fit of application head
• bulges must be pinchable to fit into the cup
I did a consultation at MH Plastic Surgery with Dr Martin Huang before I made my final decision. After examining my body, Dr Martin Huang said I am a suitable candidate for both the procedures. After weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to go with Liposuction in the end since I wanted faster results, and I do not mind having an invasive treatment done despite the downtime.
Many told me that they watched liposuction videos online and that freaked them out. Therefore, I made it a point not to go and watch them out of curiosity so that I don't scare myself too much. That said, my procedure was early in the morning and I was instructed not to consume any food after 12 midnight.
When I arrived at the day surgery, I was told to change into surgical gowns. Dr Martin Huang did markings on my body and I was ushered to the operation theatre. Everything was very professional and systematic. I just have to listen to the instructions from the nurses.
When I woke up a few hours later, everything was done. There was an elastic compression garment over my tummy area to help the swelling go away in a shorter time and also ease the pain.
After the procedure, I felt a little sore and the treated area was also swelling. The pain was quite bearable though. I was given medication to consume till my next appointment. During the recovery stage, the doctor advised not to do any intense activity and to rest more.
Currently, I am still in my recovery stage and I will definitely share more about my recovery and result in my next blog post.
If you have any questions with regards to my Liposuction, please feel free to leave a comment below or email me at william82@hotmail.com and I will address them all in my next post.