An aesthetics clinic sponsored a CryoLipo treatment for me so despite the jitters, I went to try the procedure.
It’s supposed to bust the fat cells in my tummy so as to sculpt it. You can target other areas, e.g. arms, inner thighs, etc.
The Marketing lady arranged for my treatment to be at 2pm today. I asked her whether I could have lunch before that and she said it was ok to do so.
However, I decided to err on the safe side and skipped lunch. Thankfully, I did ‘cos when I reached the clinic, the counter staff told me it’s best not to eat anything before the procedure.
I wasn’t told what to wear (or not wear, for that matter) so I decided to exercise some common sense. I had a strapless bra on under a black tube and wore shorts over my undies. If I hadn’t worn the tube, I’d have to hold up my dress bunched up around my bust area. How inconvenient!
I reached the clinic 20 mins’ before 2pm and most of the staff were out for lunch (including the doc).
It was almost an hour and a half past 2pm before the procedure really began. By that time, I was cold, nervous, and hungry.
Amazingly enough, the counter staff were the ones who performed the procedure on me, with the doc occasionally coming in to supervise. It was pretty evident to all present that I was freaking out. I actually asked the doc when he came in whether my life was in danger!
The two ladies, let’s call them A and B, did little to inspire confidence in me. A had to make markings on my belly TWICE. The first time round, the doc didn’t approve of it. So a second set of markings had to be drawn on my belly. My belly looked like a map after that, with so many markings here and there!
A did the procedure for me while B appeared entirely new to the clinic.
While A was happily making markings all over my belly with first a marker, then an eyeliner pencil, I decided to ask her a probing question:
“How many times have you done this procedure?”
Her response was to totally evade the question. “We are very busy so I came to help out. I’m from the Hill Street branch.” This made me very, very nervous indeed!
The procedure had 2 parts – the first would be the cold treatment, and then the shock one.
Part One -> a device with a rectangular plate was placed on different parts of my belly, one part at a time (that’s why all the markings were needed). It would suck up the love handles and fatty bits and freeze the area to -3deg Cel. My belly isn’t very huge so the plate went on 4 times only.
Each time the plate was lifted, I’d feel the area it had been placed on and it’d be freezing cold, like how a slab of meat in the supermarket’s chiller section feels.
For some reason unknown to me, pain-wise, the left side of my body had maybe a 2/10 on the pain scale (which means it was almost painless), but the right side came close to a 7/10 (like someone was pinching my belly really hard)!
I was so relieved when the plate left my skin after the 4th round. Each round lasted about 4 minutes.
Part Two -> A gel was applied to my belly (kinda like before an ultrasound scan) then a device was used to administer shocks to the treatment area so as to break up the cellulite. The doc said the device looks like a hairdryer. But it sounds like a giant stapler – “TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK” as A moved it around my belly. The intensity levels start from 3, and go up to 6.
A started out with level 3 for me. Then asked if I’d like to try level 4. I reluctantly let her do it but quickly told her to switch back to 3. I asked her why I should try the different levels, and can’t I just stick with the lowest one?
Her reply “‘Cos you are writing about this mah, so let you try then you have more things to write about.” I almost fainted.
After 10 excruciating minutes of having the probe go all over my belly, it was finally over!
The result?
A put the measuring tape around my waist again (somewhat tighter this time) and announced I had lost a whole of…
.
.
.
wait for it…
.
.
.
ONE CENTIMETRE!!!
All that trouble for 1cm. I’d checked online. The same clinic had offered the treatment on a group-buying site for $388. Hmm…
The doc told me that this treatment is for sculpting, not weight loss. For weight loss, you’d have to diet and exercise! Each session would result in a 1-2cm loss but you’ll need 4-5 sessions to see sustained benefits.
Side effects? Bad for people with sensitive skin. Also, cold burns can occur though they don’t usually happen.
And don’t take any food 4 hours before the treatment!
Interestingly enough, the clinic did not ask if I’m pregnant or not. Only asked if I have any drug allergies.
After effects? None, so far. Redness largely gone, just a few markings here and there. No soreness or pain. Love handles still present. (>_<)
I think I’ll stick with hitting the gym. 
