Get back in shape

TO say that 2020 has been a tough year for everyone is an understatement. Now we're almost at the end of it with just seven weeks to go before Christmas and the festivities that come with it. Things may be muted compared to previous years, but the holiday spirit won't be, and, as always, you'll want to look your best in festive photos.

But the stress from the pandemic and, all that extra snacking done while you work from home, may have pushed your weight up, and your enthusiasm for exercise down. If you're looking for a quick fix, there are two new treatments done under medical supervision that may help get you back on the healthy track.

ReduStim

Excessive fat isn't just ugly, it could also signal certain health issues.

While subcutaneous fat, the type that lies under the skin and which you can pinch, is easier to get rid of with diet and exercise, visceral or abdominal fat that surrounds the vital organs are tougher to treat.

Visceral fat is also considered more dangerous as it is closely associated with health problems such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure.

Unlike other body treatments that target subcutaneous fat, ReduStim, a treatment which uses a low frequency alternating Biomagnetic field, claims to reduce visceral fat. In the process, the treatment also eliminates subcutaneous fat and improves lymphatic drainage to get rid of toxins and water retention.

"You will also see an adjunct fat loss," says Kevin Chua, founder of Dr Kevin Chua Medical & Aesthetics Clinic.

While results vary with individuals, Dr Chua says patients can expect to go down one to two dress sizes in 12 sessions.

Getting a ReduStim treatment involves being zipped up in a special suit, and lying on the back for 30 minutes. It is a non-invasive and non-aggressive treatment and is said to burn 600 calories in each session.

Patients are fully-clothed and get zipped up in the suit from their chest to the feet. Over the session, the suit slowly inflates and emits low-frequency electromagnetic energy that stimulates gradual muscle contractions, which in turn stimulate fats to break down. The suit deflates slightly and the process is repeated.

While the treatment is generally pain free, patients may experience slight discomfort as the suit inflates, with the feeling of being gently squeezed all over. This is why patients are encouraged not to come for the treatment after a heavy meal.

"ReduStim helps anyone who wants to get rid of excess abdominal fat, and also for overweight patients," says Dr Chua.

He recommends twelve 30-minute sessions, two to three times a week, for best results. The package price is S$1,800 for 12 sessions before GST.

DRx Medical Weight Loss Program

It sounds simple enough - watching food intake and regular exercise can help a person lose weight. "But most times people don't see the desired results or they fall off the bandwagon after a while," says Harvey Ho at DRx Clinic Singapore.

While he specialises in dermatology, Dr Ho also has an interest in evidence-based weight loss holistic programmes and lifestyle medicine. Under his supervision, patients who embark on the DRx Medical Weight Loss Program can expect to see at least a 10 per cent reduction in weight, after three months.

Besides following a diet and exercise regime that involves building muscles, the programme also includes FDA and HSA-approved medications, energy supplements, lymphatic massages and the use of body toning devices, making it a 360 degree approach to weight loss.

"Obesity or weight-related issues not only can affect our overall health and wellness, it increases the risks of numerous health disorders which may lead to metabolic and cardiovascular disease, cancer, organ dysfunctions, and physical limitations," says Dr Ho.

The programme is targeted at patients who have a BMI of 25 or higher. "But those who have a slightly lower BMI but have a cardiovascular risk, would also benefit from this," he says. "We want to jump start their weight loss goals, and then help them maintain it."

While the medical benefits include reduced risk of diabetes, lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels, the programme also offers lifestyle benefits such as better sleep and improved mental and social wellbeing.

As the programme is done under doctor's supervision, patients are required to check in with Dr Ho every week for best results.