Weight should have nothing to do with self-image, but I think it's fine to want to look your best. For as long as you know the number on the scale or measuring tape doesn't define who you are, I don't think there is anything wrong with trying out a fat-reducing treatment.

That being said, I was given the opportunity to try out a treatment called BMC, or breaking, melting and contouring. I am not a fan of invasive procedures. So, I was glad to know this one would be performed by high-tech machines that just give the feeling of a hard massage on the body while melting fat. My apprehensions were also eased knowing that I would be trying this out at Lohas Skin and Slimming center, reputed for its top-quality machines and qualified staff.

I was going to try BMC on my arms, so before the procedure began, a tape measure was fitted around each arm. The treatment started with a lymphatic massage, followed by endermology, which is a procedure for eliminating fat and smoothing out dimply cellulite. A special Polargen machine is also massaged over the area being treated. Then a suctioning machine is used for 10 minutes, followed by an adipo machine for 15 minutes, which helps break up and melt fat cells further using heat. These procedures will just feel like the treatment area is being suctioned in parts, followed by a hot massage. After the “breaking” and “melting” procedures of BMC are done comes the “contouring,” where Polargen radio frequency is then used to tone the treated area.

To give you an idea of the machines being used and to let you see they are not sharp or painful in any way, here's what one of them looks like:

At the end of the treatment, my arms were measured again. My right arm remained the same, but my left one was half an inch smaller. Results will vary per individual, but being able to see instant results without weeks of working out is quite impressive.

Take note, however, that fat-reducing treatments like this should go hand-in-hand with your lifestyle. These treatments will have more visible results if if you exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. To be realistic, you cannot expect a machine to do all the work for you and prevent your body from getting bigger, if you eat a lot of fatty or salty food and do not move. Fat-reducing treatments are a great supplement to trimming off that extra bit of bloat if you're going to be at an important event or at the beach, but don't forget to treat your body well the rest of the time, too.

For inquiries, contact Lohas at 032-520-1381, 0916-439-6586 or 0943-273-5739.

A version of this story was published in my column in SunStar Cebu on Friday, 13 March 2015.