Fat Reduction Techniques: A Complete Guide for 2020

So what is the best body fat removal procedure in Malaysia?
First, let us understand what is body fat, and then we will proceed to explain in detail on fat reduction procedures.

What is body fat?

The words ‘body fat’ conjures negative impressions of obesity and unattractiveness. However, different types of fat in your body serve different roles; some which can impart negative effect on your health and contribute to disease, while others are beneficial and necessary for your health.

The main types of fat cells are white, brown, and beige cells. They can be stored as essential, subcutaneous, or visceral fat.
Fat found in muscle tissue and under the skin is subcutaneous fat while the one that protect our organs are visceral fat.”Essential fat” is necessary for overall health as they help protect internal organs, stores fuel for energy and regulates important body hormones.

Fat accumulation procedure

White body fat forms the largest part of our body. They are stored under the skin or around the organs in the belly, arms, buttocks, and thighs. These fat cells are the body’s way of storing energy for later use. The majority of our body fat is subcutaneous. It is the fat that you can squeeze or pinch on your arms, belly, thighs, and buttocks.

Visceral fat, also known as “belly fat,” is the white fat that’s stored in your abdomen and around all of your major organs, such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, and heart.
High visceral fat levels can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, artery disease, and some cancers.

Essential fat is exactly that, essential for your life and a healthy body. This fat is found in your brain, bone marrow, nerves and membranes that protect your organs. Essential fat plays a major role in hormone regulation, including the hormones that control fertility, vitamin absorption, and temperature regulation.

So, it is the excess storage of fat and non-essential body fat that you should worry about.

Fat metabolism in body

Fat metabolism refers to the processes involved in the biosynthesis and breakdown of fats.
Generally, to reduce body weight, there must be a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body expends. It is believed that a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day is effective for healthy and sustainable weight loss.

However, the loss of muscle is not desirable. While this method may work, we want body fat loss, not just water or muscle mass. This is why attention must be paid to the correct calorie deficit based on your existing percentage of fat and your activity level. Also when weight loss occurs from diet and exercise, your body shrinks overall in size, you are not able to pick and focus on certain body parts.
Last but not least, weight and fat loss shrinks existing fat cells, but doesn’t destroy them completely. So if you gain weight, those fat cells will expand again.

Measuring your BMI

BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters.
Many doctors use the results to help categorise your body weight as either: underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight or obese.
Each of these categories then corresponds to the following BMI ranges, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source:

While this method is simple, its accuracy suffers. The BMI method doesn’t distinguish between lean muscle and fat mass. For example, if a person is fit, but weights more than average, he/she could be categorised as overweight or obese simply because a muscular athlete may have a higher BMI because of extra lean mass.
This leads to confusion and frustration.

Body fat calculator

Specifically, your body fat percentage tells you the percent of your total body weight that is fat. A lower body fat percentage means higher percentage of lean muscle mass on your body.
There are a few methods, some quite sophisticated and accurate, while others are basic ways which provide a rough indication of your body fat percentage.

One of the most popular (and cheapest) method is using the skinfold calipers.
It is often used by fitness trainers or as part of a weight loss program. It involves pinching fat at certain points of the body and measuring the thickness in the fold of skin.
Another is body fat scale which involves stepping on a scale that work by the help of bioelectrical impedance sensors. When you step on the scale, a small electrical current runs up through your leg and across your pelvis, measuring the amount of resistance from body fat. With both methods, it is possible to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) so you can measure your own body fat or have a certified trainer or other trained professional take the measurements and calculate your body fat percentage.

Other technologically advance methods include:
1. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
2. Hydrostatic weighing
3. Air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod)
4. 3-D body scanners

Popular techniques to for body fat reduction (invasive and non invasive)

Thanks to technology advancements, it is now possible to spot reduce stubborn fat, which means you can pick and choose specific body parts to trim, tone and sculpt. In 2020, most body sculpting procedures and devices are proven safe, highly efficacious and are able to improve body contours without surgery (minimally or non- invasive), scars or downtime.

The most popular invasive body fat reduction procedure remains to be Liposuction, which gives immediately results but long downtime and possible significant post-operation complications.

On the other hand, non-invasive body fat loss procedures have increased in types as well as popularity since recent demand and acceptance for no-downtime, minimal discomfort and high efficacy body fat reduction procedures surged dramatically. Each works differently to achieve the same goal – to be the best non-surgical fat removal procedure.

Ultrasound therapy: Device uses sound waves which causes the fat to dissolve over time.
Cryolipolysis: Device uses cold to freeze the fat which in turn kills the fat cells.
Radiofrequency: Device uses heat to destroy fat cells.
Injections: Injected substance dissolves excess chin fat.
Laser : Device emits specific laser wavelength to liquefy fat cells.

Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive technology that uses extreme cold to destroy subcutaneous fat cells and help reduce the size of a fat bulge. A suction device is placed on the body part to be treated and during the procedure it transmits low temperatures via the skin to freeze fat cells until they reach “death cell” stage, essentially destroying them. Because skin, muscle and nerve tissue freeze at a lower temperature than fat, these tissues remain unharmed. CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis technology and has become one of the most popular treatments for effective fat reduction.

Laser fat reduction

SculpSure® is another successful laser fat reduction procedure. A specific laser wavelength is delivered through the skin, targeting subcutaneous fat cells with high temperature (heat) until these fat cells are broken down. Simultaneously, a constant cooling mechanism ensures that skin and surrounding cells remain protected in the process. The laser beams transmits through the skin; hence SculpSure® is non-invasive and there is no downtime involved.
Multiple treatments are required to meet desired expectations. Results are visible gradually and are typically final within 1 to 3 months.
Fat loss is permanent if patient maintains a balanced dietary habit and do not gain weight.

Fat reduction injections

Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps break down fat for digestion. In injectable form, deoxycholic acid can break down fat cells on contact for isolated reduction of a fat pocket. Currently, Kybella® (Injectable Deoxycholic Acid) is the only FDA approved form of injectable deoxycholic acid, and can be used to effectively remove a double chin by reducing the submental (refers to the fat present in the submental region underneath the chin and at the front of the neck) fullness under the chin.
Treatment involves local anesthetic and multiple injections underneath the chin. A standard Kybella® procedure takes about 20 minutes. There is little to no downtime expected, though some common side effects include temporary, mild swelling, numbness, redness, and bruising at the chin. Most patients are able to return to full activity within 1-2 days. A typical patient requires 2 to 4 treatments, spaced 1 month apart, for optimal results.
Like most fat reduction procedures, fat cells are destroyed permanently and would not return, so Kybella® offers lasting results barring significant weight gain.

Ultrasound fat reduction

FDA cleared ultrasound fat reduction treatments include UltraShape, which uses a pulsed ultrasound technology, and Liposonix, which uses a high intensity focused ultrasound.
Both treatment brands utilises highly focused sonic waves to target fat cells. The waves create rapid pressure changes which cause the fat cells within the selected body part to breakdown. Subsequently the destroyed fat cells are metabolised naturally by the body, hence reducing the size of fat deposits in the targeted body part. The ultrasound energy transmits through the skin so the procedures are non-invasive and there is no downtime.
Multiple treatments are likely required to achieve the desired body part size reduction based on patient’s expectations. Results are visible gradually and are typically final within 1 to 3 months.
Fat loss is permanent if patient maintains a balanced dietary habit and do not gain weight.

What is the best non surgical/ non invasive fat removal technique?

As highlighted above, there are numerous safe, effective non-invasive fat removal procedures available now. However, the best non-invasive fat removal procedure would be one that works for your body type and lifestyle.
To determine that, speak to a qualified and experienced body-shaping specialist or doctor. At Clique, we discovered that multiple sessions of different modalities (ICE FIRE – combination of Coolsculpting and truSculpt iD) as well as Sculpsure (laser), Coolsculpting (cold) plus skin tightening and muscle-sculpting (EMSculpt, truSculpt® flex) gave the best results.

Coolsculpting fat reduction- A modern approach

CoolSculpting® uses cryolipolysis technology, which uses extreme cold to destroy subcutaneous fat cells and help reduce a fat bulge. It has since become one of the most popular treatments for effective fat reduction.

The fatty area (body part to be treated0 is sucked into a handpiece between two metal plates and the area is slowly cooled. Current treatment guideline is 25 minutes per body part.

How much does fat reduction procedures cost?

Prices vary for different technologies and body parts involved.
At Clique, we recommend a full body consultation session with our doctors so we can determine the best body fat removal procedure for you. The best fat reduction procedure needs to be sustainable according to your lifestyle, state of health and your desired goals.
You can find our GENERAL price list here as reference. We welcome you to make an appointment with us in order to get the best quote and advice for the optimum results.

Management guidelines after undergoing fat reduction

In general, non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction procedures requires little, if any, downtime for recovery. For most patients, the procedure is painless and one may resume normal activities immediately. However, depending on your state of health and lifestyle, your doctor will prescribe necessary medications and provide post-treatment care instructions after the procedure. It is important that you follow all instructions provided by your doctor to minimise any complications.

If you notice swelling, redness or numbness or suffer from unexplainable pain, do notify your doctor immediately.

Conclusion/Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, current body fat removal procedures in the market are safe, effective and offers an easy way to eliminate fat cells for good. When managed together with a healthy lifestyle, it can offer tremendous improvements on areas previously thought to be a lost cause. Coupled with its non-invasive nature, it the perfect choice for those with a fear of minor surgeries, or those with truly busy schedules.
However, patients must manage expectations as multiple treatments are likely required to achieve the desired body part size reduction. Fat loss is only permanent if patient maintains a balanced dietary habit and do not gain weight.