(WARNING! GRAPHICS PICTURES AHEAD)  

As continued from the previous post, one of the concerns that I have raised was the excess postpartum belly skin that happened after my pregnancy. I think all mummies would have understood that I am not alone in facing such an issue. This happened during the pregnancy period where my skin stretches to accommodate a growing bump. Towards the end of week 40 trimester, the weight of Emika was so heavy that I felt breathless after walking for just 5 minutes.

The loose skin is not obvious when you are standing or walking, but visible to others when you are wearing a bikini or a crop top while sitting down. My stomach looked super saggy, and appear with ugly wrinkled lines, which further reduce my self-esteem. Also, I realized I do not have abdominal tightness as my muscles are already stretched and separated to accommodate the baby. That said, I feel that my tummy was soft. Losing weight quickly can also increase the odds of having excess skin after giving birth, as our skin is made of elastin and collagen, allowing the skin to expand with a growing belly.

Yeah, I googled online, and it said to constantly do core exercise, drink plenty of water but I was not able to see any results after a few months of try-out? I was close to giving up on looking like this as I stopped everything, including throwing out those low cuts crop tops and bikini to save me from embarrassment. Thankfully, Dr. Terence Tan suggested that an Exilis treatment could help during our consultation session, and I was thankful. Back then, I have no idea about the treatment at all, and he patiently explained it to me.

The therapist also monitored the temperature of my body at every interval, and I only felt a little warm sensation on the skin, like putting on a warm blanket. It is very comfortable, and no numbing cream is required! A full-face treatment will take 60 minutes, while body parts will take 30 minutes. It is recommended to do a treatment of four to six sessions every two weeks to see optimal results. I even chatted with the therapist and used my phone during the session. That’s how relaxed I was.

Body and facial areas that Exilis can help:

•          Underarm, abdomen, love handles, buttocks, and inner and outer thighs
•          On the face to smooth wrinkles and lift facial skin on the forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline, and neck

My review:

It will take a while before seeing the full effect of Exilis. From the comparison picture above, you could see the visible difference between the before and after. It almost seems like I am showing you two different person’s tummies! I often heard about collagen and how it strengthens the skin and provides hydration but sadly, our collagen level in our body will start dropping once we hit our 20s. 

Hence, it is important to also eat food that helps to boost our collagen level on top of the treatment. Since Exilis is a form of heat therapy, remember to drink more water before going down for your appointment! Also, personally, I like that this treatment also has no downtime, meaning that I can go back to doing my daily activities and not worry about scarring of the skin at my tummy area. 

I was able to regain my confidence in showing my tummy after the treatment and was super thankful as well. No need to tug or hide those ugly tummies anymore!

Thank you, Halley Team and Dr. Terence Tan!

Halley Body Slimming Clinic

277 Orchard Road, #03-16 orchardgateway, 238858 (Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT)

Opening Hours: 10am - 9pm

Telephone: 62468806

You may want to read the previous post:

MY EXPERIENCE WITH HALLEY BODY SLIMMING CLINIC - X-Wave & Vanquish Review

Link: https://celinebleh.blogspot.com/2021/10/my-experience-with-halley-body-slimming.html

Thanks for reading!

If you were following my pregnancy journey, you would know I gained 15kg unknowingly. I thought I would be returning to my pre-partum figure after the post-partum period, but obviously, it didn't happen. 

I noticed that my body is different after giving birth to a baby, and I now have a mummy tummy? No matter how much I diet or exercise, the tummy refuses to disappear. Specifically, the fat located in your abdomen that extends over your waistline is what I meant. That's so stubborn! I am having a hard time ok!

Because I was emotionally affected, I was often negatively impacted just by looking at myself in the mirror. It sucks to think that way. I tried fitting into some of my size S clothing, but it no longer fits. Should I throw them away? One thing that makes it worse is that some of my friends mistook me for pregnant with another child again urghhh! I am embarrassed by how people perceive me. My tummy fat sometimes does drive me crazy, and I asked myself, "How do I reduce it?"

That was when I knew I needed to do something about it.

My experience

Prior to entering Halley Body Slimming Clinic, I had many questions about how the treatment might work for me. Dr. Terence Tan is very knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough with his explanations of the treatments I will undergo during consultation.

Furthermore, he accurately identified the areas to focus on and ensured that the treatments are safe and comfortable given that it was my first experience doing any body treatments. In his opinion, medical technology can be used to improve patient outcomes through non-invasive procedures and achieve results. I was so happy when he told me that. Suddenly I feel a sense of hope lol. My consultation session also led me to discover that fat reduction is not the same as weight loss. Like whaaat? I always thought they are the same!

This is because the process of weight loss involves reducing our weight, but it only makes the fat cells smaller, whereas the number of fat cells remains the same. Fat reduction, however, eliminates the fat cells permanently. Now then I know...

X-Wave Fat Crusher, Vanquish Fat Reduction, and Exilis Ultra 360 Skin Firming Review

As we begin every treatment, my therapist would explain clearly what she would be doing to me.

She reviewed the procedure with me and checked on me at every interval to ensure I was comfortable with it. Each session will take around 60 minutes, which involves 15 minutes of X-Wave Fat Crusher, and 45mins of Vanquish Fat Reduction! 

I did a total of 3 treatments, X-Wave Fat Crusher, Vanquish Fat Reduction, and Exilis Ultra 360 Skin Firming treatment which will be explained in the following post! 

X-Wave Fat Crusher is an add-on treatment that speeds up the removal of dead fat cells. The vibration of the X-Wave device on the skin breaks up and loosens cellulite, which can be paired together with Vanquish to achieve a more firm and sculpted body. Their treatment is US-FDA approved, so you can have peace of mind!

Cellulite is the lumpy flesh on the abdomen which is super visible when you wear tight-fitting clothes.

Vanquish Fat Reduction is used to contour the body and remove areas like back fat and "love handles" which are excess fats along the sides of the waist and hang over the top of pants. These areas are generally very difficult to remove through exercise.

The Vanquish body contouring machine uses the thermal energy of radiofrequency (RF) waves to destroy fat cells through contactless, deep tissue heating to remove fat in problematic areas. It heats your skin, carefully bringing the tissue to 40-42 degrees. This way your fat cells can die and can be passed out of the body naturally. 

Can I just say that the whole procedure was extremely comfortable and PAINLESS? You just lie down there and during the treatment, you will feel mild warmth that is a similar feeling to putting on a heating pad, and that's about it. Additionally, it will have long-lasting results since our bodies cannot make fat cells after the age of five. Meaning once the fat cells are gone, they are gone forever!

Studies have also shown an average of 29% reduction of fat thickness and 4-5cm reduction of waist circumference after four Vanquish treatments. It is true because, for myself, I have tried it and could see visible results so far yay!

So you may ask, who is it suitable for?

• People who have no time for workouts and are desperate to get back into shape via losing fats around their tummy or their thighs area.

• For mummies to regain their slim tummy and waist but are busy taking care of their children and can afford a maximum of 45minutes for a treatment weekly!

My final thoughts on X-Wave Fat Crusher, Vanquish Fat Reduction, and Exilis Ultra 360 Skin Firming

The results of Vanquish take about three months to show, and it has only been three weeks since my first treatment as I write this post but visually, I am already very happy with the results so far. I was able to wear some tighter clothes that I previously could not; the size of my stomach has also changed noticeably. I became more confident and less negative about how I look overall! As much as we love our children, our mental health is very important to take care of.

The best way to get the most out of the treatment is to drink lots of water during and before it. Drinking 1 or 2 liters the day before your treatment will make fat cells easier to target for the radio frequency wave and drinking it after will assist your body to eliminate those fat cells. Note that any long-lasting results can only be sustainable with a healthy lifestyle. Of course, you don't expect yourself to still eat junk food every day and still be slim!

I really appreciate that effort that my therapist has put in - where after every treatment, she will take a before and after photo, and measure my body measurements to keep track of my results. This way I will be able to make a comparison to my before and after treatment experience and be proud of it!

To add on that since Vanquish does not come in aggressive contact with the skin, I only experienced a little redness around my tummy area, and it went off after a few hours. Don’t worry because no recovery time is required, and I can even carry on with my daily chores and activities with my baby. It’s amazing to be felt this way to be honest, as I do sometimes have body aches if I want to lose weight with exercises such as cycling or running.

I have attached a comparison photo here! You can obviously see that the differences - tummy flatter, less bulging and overall, the skin also looks smoother! That was the result achieved just after 2nd treatment. Very satisfied and happy with it 😊

Many thanks to Halley Body Slimming Clinic and Dr. Terence Tan for helping me feel more confident!

You can check them out here:

Halley Body Slimming Clinic

277 Orchard Road, #03-16 orchardgateway, 238858 (Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT)

Opening Hours: 10am - 9pm

Telephone: 62468806

Thanks for reading!

Week 40 | Arrival of Emika

Our Gynae: Dr Koh, CH Koh Clinic

Hospital: Mount Alvernia 

I was expecting and supposed to deliver my baby girl full term on 3rd Dec. As I await for her arrival, nothing happened lol. Hence, we went for our last gynae visit 2 days later and I was told that my pregnancy term was overdue and the baby needs to get out. We scheduled for natural delivery and we are good to see her latest by Sunday, 9am. Before heading to the gynae clinic, I did experienced on-off contractions while asleep, and I can feel that the baby's head is positioning well downwards. Dr Koh checked that I was 2 cm diluted and she's going to be out any moment. We even had a mini scare that she might just come in the middle of the night or on our way home. Again, nothing happened till.. Saturday night. There was totally no sign of water break or sign of blood in mucus plug. I admitted myself to Mount Alvernia on Sunday morning, 1am to their delivery suite.

The hospital procedures were fast as our gynae gave us letter of admission and the nurses did some quick uncomfortable checks, cervix test where she put the lubricant gel on her gloves and insert into me to check on the dilution of the cervix. I was still 2cm diluted. I think we did 2 - 3 times and the nurse only started inducing at 7am and I was placed on IV drip immediately. No one told me that you're not supposed to eat when you are on drip!! End up I didn't eat for good 1.5 days :-(

Anyway, the contractions were getting stronger each hour, and then each minute which we were told that I am doing very well! Usually the gynae will not be with you - but the nurses will monitor and call your gynae for medical advices. By the time 9am, I was actually on my 4cm mark. My gynae was very pleased and when he reached my delivery suite, he proceed to break my water bag manually in 5 minutes and immediately, I felt a gush of warm water flowing down my legs and on the hospital bed. I was feeling some pain and uncomfortable as he was tugging, trying to search for my cervix and then the bag of amniotic acid that my baby in. 

The contractions became even more intense, and I was basically holding on the sides of the hospital bed with no epidural. The nurse came in a few times and told me to request for epidural if I cannot take it, but I told her that I am okay. What a mistake!!! I was literally suffering as I wanted to go to the toilet to pee, and had to use a pee bowl. It was so awkward urinating on the bed and I couldn't do it..

I endured for 4 hours, every 3 minute painful contractions before surrendering lol. When the aesthetician came, he said that the epidural can be "top up", by flushing more fluid into your spine area.. and I don't need to endure cause I already paid for it lol. He was Dr Koh's classmate and he was really professional! He told me to bend as much, as the epidural can be rather painful when it is injected into your bones. Literally, you are on fire, your bones are on fire.

Again, we had a cervix test at 6pm, and then 9pm to check if my cervix was dilating well. Unfortunately, I was still at 6cm dilution and time seems to run out. I was in panic mode as my husband was having dengue and migraine pain and we are all rooting for her to come out by 9pm. End up he had to leave for A&E and my doctor came. 

All he said was, " I am so disappointed. We had make a decision to do emergency caesarean now." By the way, caesarean is the surgical delivery of baby, which involves one incision in the mother's abdomen and another in uterus. I was running high fever due to fatigue and my contractions was at it's peak every minute, and I had already endured 12 hours of induced labor. Can you imagine having to experience 200x of menstrual pain? I had epidural but I can still feel the pain.. that was how intense it was. The baby's heart beat was beating at 180/90 per second and the doctor need to think for the safety of both the mother and the child. I was sooo disappointed and tired so I broke down lol. I was crying to my mom telling her that I am so scared, by the way that's my first major surgery I totally freaked out to be honest, and I was blaming the baby for not coming out.. It was quite crazy to be honest?? I had to sign some indemnity consent form while in a drowsy state and I was wheeled to the operation theatre. I couldn't even move my legs.

While in the operation theatre, I was still sobbing. It was funny because they were talking about what to eat? And the nurses and my gynae doctor was comforting me. They were like, mummy don't cry your darling gonna come out. I CRIED EVEN MORE. The whole operation was really fast, my aesthetician came in again and he pumped in more epidural into my spine, and my doctor started cutting my stomach. The first few cuts to the skin felt like ant bite, and then afterwards I literally felt no pain except for some movements and tugging (again) in my stomach. After a good 5 minutes, I could hear baby wailing sound. I felt so comforted. They placed her in a transparent incubator and wheeled her out to the maternity suite. My mom and my brother saw her first, she's sucha cutie!

Emika, 3.425 kg.

When I saw her, my heart literally melt. How can this cute thing grow in my stomach? Every pain seems worth it. The epidural wear off in 3 hours and I immediately felt pain I never felt before. I was tearing as I couldn't move my tummy area and the nurse had to get me changed. To make the matter worse, I endured peeing and as a result, my bladder was full with urine and pressing on my uterus. 

It was really excruciating pain. I also teared a bit when I carried my baby for breastfeeding as the injury was so painful. Endure endure endure. That's what I said to myself repeatedly.

Both emika and I was given a bracelet that sounds whenever I, the mom is around. Look at how happy she is whenever she sees me! I had no breast milk for first two days and she was literally sucking and just simulating the breast to start producing milk. I felt so helpless as a mom, but was quick to ask around that is okay for newborn to drink formula. Mount Alvernia Lactation consultants, baby doctor, the hospital sister came, my gynae came everyday to my ward to make sure I am okay. I had to turn away my friends for visiting as I was sooo exhausted and busy from taking care of baby.

My first meal! Chicken yellow noodle and soup. Honestly the hospital food is pretty not bad and healthy. I would choose to stay at Mount Alvernia again if I could :-D

so cute. She's always coming to visit me in the ward.

Day 3 arrived and it's time for us to go home! Honestly, 3 days is NOT sufficient for Csection pain to recover. Although I still feel very much in pain, I thought it would be better for me to go home. Had a quick hospital discharge and paid my hospitalization bills.

The entire bill is 16k, including medisave claims as I had normal delivery and Csection delivery charges. Even nursery, doctor attendance fees are charged to the bill. Very poor but very happy lol.