The Science Behind Fat Loss:

How To Get Your Best Body

“Eat well and exercise” – we’ve all heard it before. It sounds simple enough, but the stark reality is that an estimated 160 million Americans are overweight or obese, and they struggle to lose weight and keep it off for good. Not only does being overweight and obese lead to unfortunate body image issues, but the condition can also cause serious health complications such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and chronic kidney disease. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health estimates that obesity accounts of about 18% of all deaths in the United States.

First of all, let’s get it straight: all bodies – no matter their size, shape, color, or age – are beautiful. However, we all deserve to feel happy, healthy, and confident in our own skin, no matter what that may look like. Too often, being overweight or obese negatively affects our self-esteem, and makes us feel like we’re not worthy of love. Although that assumption is totally untrue, it’s still a major cause of stress for many people in America and beyond. Sure – we can all try to cut back on processed food and work in daily walks, but based on the overwhelming concrete evidence, losing weight and keeping it off is easier said than done.

According to a recent report, approximately 80% of U.S. women don’t like how they look, and 34% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies. The lengths to which people will go to lose weight and gain muscle are seemingly endless – from 16-hour “intermitted fasting” eating cycles to celebrity-endorsed appetite-suppressing lollipops and butter-obsessed Ketogenic diet plans – the United States weight loss industry is estimated to be worth more than $72 billion. But to truly understand how you can achieve and maintain your “ideal body,” you must first understand the science behind weight gain, weight loss, and how modern medical innovations are changing the game.

What Is Fat?

People are not fat. People have fat – and that’s a good thing! Fat is an essential macronutrient (along with carbohydrates and proteins) that the body needs for survival. Not only does fat help to protect internal organs, but it also aids in the absorption of essential vitamins, supplies us with energy, regulates hormones, and contributes to neurological health. Three specific types of fat are found in the foods we eat every day, including saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats. Some fat sources – like avocados, olive oil, and walnuts – are healthy for the body, while others – like red meat, butter, and cheese – can do more harm than good.

Why Do People Gain Weight?

Contrary to popular belief, consuming fat is not the #1 reason why people gain weight. Rather, weight gain is caused by eating a calorie surplus. In its most basic definition, a calorie is simply a measure of energy, and calories – much like fat – are essential to sustaining human life. Gram by gram, fat contains 9 calories, whereas carbohydrates and protein each have about 4 calories. The bottom line is that if a person consumes too many calories beyond their basic needs, those excess calories will end up being stored by the body as fat reserves. Therefore, the number of calories you eat – not necessarily where the calories come from – overwhelmingly dictates whether a person is able to achieve their ideal number on the scale.

Although diet and exercise are typically the doctor-recommended directions for people trying to lose weight, sometimes it’s just not enough. Many factors can cause fluctuations in a person’s weight, including hormones, genetics, and overall body composition, and some people are just more susceptible to weight gain than others. That said, everyone deserves to feel confident in their own body. Luckily, the medical aesthetics and cosmetic industry is constantly researching, testing, and approving new non-surgical and non-invasive procedures that help people lose weight, get rid of excess skin, and smooth all the little lumps and bumps that can cause embarrassment.

Here we’ll explore the top 3 medical treatments that can help people get rid of fat, loose skin, and cellulite going into 2020:

1) CoolSculpting: Best For Fat Reduction

CoolSculpting is the world’s #1 non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction technique, and it has helped more than 6,000,000 people across the globe reduce pockets of fat in trouble areas such as the abdomen, flanks, and under the chin. Since fat cells freeze at higher temperatures than other tissue, CoolSculpting works by applying sub-zero temperatures to fat deposits under the skin, effectively freezing and killing the fat cells within. In the months following treatment, those dead fat cells are naturally eliminated by the body’s metabolic system, leaving the patient with a slimmer and trimmer physique. In fact, CoolSculpting is so effective, most patients report a 20-25% fat reduction after just one treatment!

CoolSculpting is currently FDA-cleared to treat 9 different parts of the body including under the chin, the flanks, the abdomen, the outer and inner thighs, and above the knee, along with bra fat, upper arms, and underneath the buttocks. Doctors typically recommend CoolSculpting to people with “squeezable” fat, since the machine has to “suck in” the target fat with a vacuum applicator in order to deliver the controlled cooling effect. But don’t worry – to protect patients from frost bite, each CoolSculpting machine comes equipped with temperature sensors that will automatically shut it off if the skin becomes too cold. Although CoolSculpting permanently kills and removes fat cells from the body, patients can still re-gain weight if they do not follow a healthy eating and exercise plan post-treatment.

Learn more about Jiva Med Spa Coolsculpting services

2) Venus Legacy: Best For Loose Skin

For many people who do manage to lose weight, the battle to body confidence is not over. That’s because when people gain weight, their skin inevitably stretches, and they’re left with permanently loose skin. That’s where Venus Legacy can help. Unlike CoolSculpting which uses frigid temperatures to kill fat cells, the Venus Legacy procedure uses radio frequency technology and pulsed magnetic fields to deliver controlled thermal heat to multiple tissue depths, which effectively stimulates fat breakdown, induces cellulite reduction, and boosts collagen and elastin production. After Venus Legacy causes its unique thermal reaction, the body naturally eliminates those thermally destroyed fat cells through the lymphatic drainage system, making the body look slimmer, sculpted, and more toned.

Not only is Venus Legacy a safe way to improve the appearance of sagging skin, but it’s also a non-invasive, non-surgical, and pain-free procedure. Many people say it feels like a warm, relaxing massage! After you lose weight naturally or with CoolSculpting for fat reduction, Venus Legacy works to tighten loose skin on your arms, neck, thighs, butt, and stomach. Depending on what body type you’re trying to accomplish, the number of Venus Legacy treatments needed will vary patient to patient. But since each treatment session only takes between 15-30 minutes, it’s a quick, easy, and convenient way to tighten skin, soften wrinkles, and reduce cellulite.

Learn more about Jiva Med Spa Venus Legacy 4D™ Technology

3) Z Wave: Best For Cellulite

Cellulite is extremely common and affects between 80-90% of women, and about 10% of men. According to Medical News Today, cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, causing the formation of lumps, bumps, and dimples. Cellulite usually develops during adolescence, and it can become more prevalent over time as skin loses its elasticity. Thankfully, there is a new development in the body contouring industry: the Z Wave from Zimmer Aesthetic Division. The Z Wave uses powerful high-energy sound waves to squeeze tissue, massage the skin’s molecular grid structure, and destabilize fat structures to effectively diminish cellulite and stretch marks, while also improving the skin’s elasticity and firmness. In addition, the body responds to the sound wave energy by increasing metabolic activity, lymphatic drainage, and blood circulation – a triple win!

Regarding cellulite and fat reduction, 80% of patients notice either a full reduction or a noticeable reduction 4 weeks after the initial Z Wave treatment. Although Z Wave works well as a standalone treatment, it’s also very effective at further enhancing the results of other fat reduction procedures, particularly CoolSculpting. When used in conjunction with CoolSculpting, Z Wave has the ability to enhance fat reduction by an additional 10%! Like other body contouring treatments, the number of sessions each patient will need depends on their body type prior to treatment and the desired body type they are trying to achieve. As always, it’s best to schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine a treatment plan that aligns with your expectations, budget, and timeline.

Conclusion: : If You Struggle With A Negative Body Image, Non-Surgical & Non-Invasive Procedures Can Help Give You The Confidence You Deserve

It can be extremely frustrating when you’re eating right and exercising, but you still can’t lose weight, gain muscle, or feel satisfied in your own body. Body image is an important component to self-esteem, and studies show that having a high self-esteem makes it more likely that a person will take care of themselves and explore their full potential. Looking good is about more than vanity; rather, it’s about learning to become happy, healthy, and confident in your own body, and living a beautiful life that reflects that positive state of mind.

That said, there is nothing wrong with exploring your options when it comes to body contouring cosmetic procedures. Whether you want to lose weight, get rid of loose skin, or eliminate cellulite, there is a safe, non-invasive, non-surgical, and FDA-cleared procedure on the market that’s right for you. In fact – many Jiva Med Spa patients report feeling so happy with their appearance after their cosmetic procedures that they’re actually more motivated to adopt a healthy, balanced lifestyle in order to maintain their results! Hey – if that’s the motivation you need, so be it!

At Jiva Med Spa, we have helped thousands of patients live more beautiful lives through the innovative power of medical aesthetics and cosmetic procedures. Not only do we offer CoolSculpting, Venus Legacy, and Z Wave, but we also offer TruSculpt, SkinType II, and a variety of other services that can help you become a more self-confident person, both inside and out.

If you’re thinking about moving forward with a cosmetic procedure of some kind, visit Jiva Med Spa in one of our two locations for a free consultation. Based on your body type and aesthetic goals, we can recommend a treatment plan that will work for you.

Call our Columbus office at (614) 421-7546, our Dayton office at (937) 705-9430, or contact us here!