Getting Back in Shape With Halley Body Slimming Clinic

Aging is real. I used to eat and not get fat but as I grow older, I realised that I can’t eat like before without gaining some weight.

The bulge over at the tummy area and the flanks, aka love handles, are growing. Although I am exercising regularly, the fats were still very stubborn. Hence, I have decided to pay Dr. Terence Tan from Halley Body Slimming Clinic (Halley Body) a visit.

You might remember Dr. Terence Tan as the doctor from Halley Medical Aesthetics (Halley) who did my Ultherapy face tightening treatment for me last year. Halley Body is Dr. Terence Tan’s newest clinic that is dedicated to, as the name suggests, body treatments. While Halley focuses on medical aesthetic treatments for the face, Halley Body offers non-invasive weight management, fat reduction, body firming, and muscle toning treatments.

During the consultation, with Dr. Terence Tan, I shared my concerns about my tummy and love handles with him and he recommended CoolSculpting to me since I was a suitable candidate. Dr. Terence Tan also went on to share what is CoolSculpting is. It is a non-invasive fat-reduction treatment that is approved by US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) to utilise cryolipolysis technology that targets only fat cells to contour the body by freezing away unwanted fat cells. The frozen and crystallised fat cells will be passed out of the body naturally after the treatment. Hence, the fat cells will be gone for good! The good thing about this treatment is that it involves no surgery and there is no downtime after treatment. Although the result is not immediate, many saw great results in after treatment.

CoolSculpting can be used to target all the stubborn bulges which include our double-chin, upper-arm, love handles, abdomen, butt cheeks, inner thighs, and even bra-line areas. But do keep in mind that fat reduction does not equate to weight loss. While you might not spot a significant difference in your weight, you will feel that your clothes fit better and the bulges, smaller.

Yes, I know. You must be wondering, what makes you a suitable candidate for CoolSculpting?

First and foremost, the doctor will take your body measurements and conduct a body analysis before the doctor recommends a treatment that is suitable for you. During the body analysis, Dr. Terence Tan shared that as long as a person has subcutaneous fat that is ‘pinchable’ and ‘grabbable’, they are likely to be a good candidate for CoolScuplting.

What to expect during the treatment?

Firstly, Dr. Terence Tan mapped out the specific areas to eliminate the fat cells. For my CoolSculpting treatment, he used the CoolAdvantage applicators to treat the stubborn fat on my abdomen and flanks. Compared to the legacy CoolSculpting applicators, the CoolAdvantage range of applicators reduces treatment time by nearly half. For instance, treatment time for the traditional CoolSculpting applicator takes 60 mins it is reduced to 35 mins with the CoolAdvantage applicator. The CoolAdvantage range of applicators also features an enhanced cup design for improved patient comfort as well as a larger cooling area to treat a bigger area at one time.

A cooling gel pad was placed on the treatment area before the applicator was applied, and you can feel a mild suction and a cooling sensation at the treatment area. Depending on the area where the vacuum applicator is being positioned, you may feel intense cold initially, followed by a numbing sensation after about 10 minutes into the treatment.

After the treatment, you may feel a tingling sensation as the area is massaged for 2 or 3 minutes. This massage is an important part of the treatment, as it helps to speed up the breakdown of the frozen fat cells. But all is well. Basically, the treatment is not uncomfortable, except during the beginning when there was some pulling and mild pinching from the suction of the applicator.

How long is the treatment?

To be honest, this depends on the individual again. My treatment time is 35 minutes per area. In my case, I had 12 sessions or applicators prescribed for my abdomen and flank, and the Halley Body team used 2 applicators at the same time, which reduced my treatment time by half. This DualSculpting method took 35 mins x 6, which meant that it took me about 5 hours to finish the whole course of treatment. Halley Body also offers also QuadSculpting, which is the use of four CoolSculpting machines in tandem to reduce treatment time by up to 85% with CoolAdvantage applicators. This is great for busy people who has lesser time on hand.

What can you do during the treatment?

Basically, you can do anything as long as you don’t move a lot as you do not want the applicator to shift during the treatment. I would strongly advise you to download some dramas or movies to kill time or bring a book along to read. Of course, you can also listen to some music or just take a nap. Just do whatever that you feel is most comfortable for you with while you sit still.

Side effects?

After the procedure, I had some redness as well as swelling around the treatment area with a slight tingling sensation and tenderness. After about a week, the swelling subsided but I still had some skin sensitivity and numbness. Even then, I could still go for a run 2 days after the treatment.

When can you see results?

Depending on individuals, you can start to see changes about 3 weeks after the treatment but the most optimal results will come after 3 months. This is me 3 weeks later in Tioman for a dive trip. I do feel that my clothes fit better and my tummy bulge is smaller.

How much fat can you lose with CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting can eliminate up to 25% of the fat cells in the treated area each time. Our body is unable to produce any new fat cells after five years of age, and the fat cells that die after fat freezing will be gone forever. That is why CoolSculpting is used to remove unwanted fat that we cannot get rid of through spot toning exercises.

What I really like is the gradual fat loss process over a couple of weeks, which revealed a flatter tummy that exercise didn’t help me achieve.

How much does the CoolSculpting treatment cost?

The cost largely depends on the areas of concern as well as the number of applicators and sessions needed. I had 12 CoolAdvantage (35 min each) applicators so the cost for my treatment is $9,120 (no GST).

I am currently on my 4th week after the treatment and I really can’t wait to see the end result in another 2 months’ time.