Dr Chris Giezing discusses how the ultimate goal of weight loss is really the improvement of body shape.

It’s that time of year again when the weather starts changing – we find ourselves slowly emerging from our various hibernating states to expose our flabby and pasty-selves to the glorious rays of an emerging spring sunshine. We suddenly start to notice the creeping onset of the bulge that has slowly been spreading through the colder months – and as new energy appears, we swiftly find the motivation to start looking at ourselves in the mirror again.

Wistfully, we become aware of all the blemishes and problems that did not disappear over the preceding months, and so we set out to see those entrusted to heal us from our very personal aesthetic woes. This might be the refrain going through the minds of our patients during this very busy part of the year, when most aesthetic practices have to gear up a notch to accommodate the distinctly heavier (pun intended) demand on their services.

To stay motivated we want to LOOK better So often I find that my patients set out on a weight loss program with a very clear goal weight in mind. Sometimes they might even reach that very well specified goal. Just as often, however, they seem to lose motivation at that very point – only to start the long slide back to where they started.

In certain cases, it even seems as if the goal weight acts as an instigator – almost a reason for them to enjoy everything they have so (longingly) ignored over the preceding days, weeks and even months. I personally believe that the reason for this lies in the HOW of their motivation.

There exists two basic forms of motivation

The seeking of pleasure, The avoidance of pain We seem to do better when we do anything to attain pleasure. For some reason, pleasure seems to always leave us wanting more. Unfortunately, weight loss does not fall in this category. We tend to engage in a weight loss program when we feel pain. Pain – because of the way we look in the mirror, or pain because of the way we fit in our clothing. In some cases, it might even be the pain of unwanted health issues (secondary to our ever-increasing bulk).

Then there is the way that we set our goals. As a goal weight that is. In the 14 years that I have been treating patients with weight issues, I am still yet to find a woman who is happy with her weight. It just doesn’t seem to EVER bring long-term pleasure. No wonder then, so many people fall into the “yo-yo syndrome” of weight loss and weight gain cycles.

We fluctuate between the pain of our weight, versus the suffering of our particular weight management program. I therefore propose that we shift all focus away from weight loss, and refocus on a goal shape. This brings us to the HOW of body shape improvement.

Firstly the goal:

Reduction in size (mostly, but not always)
Improvement in shape by the reduction of localized fat pockets
Tightening of loose skin
Reduction in cellulite

At my clinic I make use of a medical weight loss plan to reduce size. It has the added benefit of enhancing gains (as far as fat pocket and cellulite reduction is concerned), and also seems to lessen the amount of loose skin that we have to deal with afterwards. When it comes to body shaping, the use of technology becomes inevitable – and good technology even more so.

I use a combination of injection lipolysis, mesotherapy, radiofrequency, ultrasound, lymph drainage and acoustic wave energy for the best results. The coming of the needle-less injector has made both injection lipolysis (fat pocket reduction) as well as mesotherapy (cellulite) a whole lot more tolerable.

The injection of various compounds into the skin and fat pockets is now a relatively painless part of most protocols – and most patients can comfortably finish their course of treatments for maximum results.

Skin tightening

For skin tightening and fat pocket reduction, I use a combination of radiofrequency and ultrasound (Exilis ®). This FDA approved device has won numerous awards and provides excellent overall results. Areas that respond well are the jowls, neck, arms, “bra bulges”, thighs and bum, breasts – as well as all areas of the stomach. Abdominal fat can also be specifically targeted with the Vanquish ® radiofrequency device.

Orange peel

Then there is the bane of almost every woman’s existence – cellulite. I combine mesotherapy with acoustic wave therapy (X-Wave®) to improve my outcomes. The acoustic wave device utilizes non focused sound pulses (similar to those used for the treatment of kidney stones), and provides a tissue remodeling effect.

It breaks the fibrotic bands responsible for skin dimpling, while improving the blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the skin – as well as the underlying fatty tissue. Another long-term effect is an improvement of skin elasticity.

All treatments are typically rounded off with a session on a lymph drainage system (Lymphastim). This stimulates the removal of free fatty acids and toxins that have accumulated in the treated areas – and it also stimulates blood circulation through the treated areas for enhanced results.

In conclusion

For better long-term results for weight loss patients, it makes sense to help them refocus on a goal shape, rather than a goal weight. Get them started on a body-remodeling program rather sooner than later, as this will often help to strengthen their resolve to reach their goal. Provide them with significant results and see them flourish in their newly found splendor for years to come!