At my age, you get help from wherever you can get it. When the health crisis started in 2020, I was 65 years of age, and considered myself trim and relatively flab-free. A bout with Prostate Cancer in 2021, hormonal shifts, cellular changes, muscle loss, and a decline in my metabolism, have all contributed to what I now hate seeing in the mirror every morning - excess fat in my tummy and flanks. Throughout any given week, I try and maintain an exercise and fitness regimen that alternates tennis, swimming, and some hours in the gym. But my body is slow in responding - and that’s why I mention ‘help’.

My friends readily admit to using Ozempic or Mounjaro, which belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These mimic a gut hormone to curb appetite, while stabilizing one’s blood sugar. They’re extremely happy with the results, but as they involve weekly subcutaneous injections, I’ve not joined that particular bandwagon - and don’t intend to.

What I have begun on a regular basis since the second quarter of 2026, are twice-weekly sessions at Marie France - non-invasive RF protocols that I’m counting on to help reduce the excess fat via contouring and lymphatic drainage. At the start of the week, I have an Endospheres session; then towards the end of the week, I have a TMP (Thermo Magnetic Pulse) session. They both take less than an hour, and now that I’m on my 4th month, I’ve discerned the changes and improvement. Periodically, I also drop by Facial Care - right across Marie France at their BGC location, for the Optimas Forma treatment. These sessions are supplementary to my exercise regimen, and I do try and be careful about my food intake - so I’m not dependent on these sessions alone.

The EndoSpheres machine is FDA-approved, and utilizes compressive microvibration technology. A handheld cylinder that’s equipped with some 50-55 rotating silicone spheres activate low frequency mechanical vibrations that according to the literature boost lymphatic drainage, increase blood flow, break down fat cells, and tone your muscle. It results in fat and cellulite reduction, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and can do skin-contouring. The cylinder can ‘attack’ one’s abdomen, the thighs, arms, waist, and flanks. There’s a comfortable warmth to the procedure and its just a matter of getting used to the rotating spheres as they are applied to particular parts of one’s body.

The Thermo Magnetic Pulse is regularly done to my tummy and flanks specifically. It’s a non-surgical four-in-one body contouring treatment. The technology is RF (Radio Frequency) driven, coupled with a vacuum suction device. Pulsed electromagnetic fields use heat to break down fat cells, while stimulating collagen production. The promise is to reduce stubborn fat, tighten lax skin, smoothen cellulite, and achieve targeted body contouring. There is heat in this protocol as it is supposed to reach deeper layers of fat tissue. The suction like sensation takes getting used to, and the heat aspect is regulated via the use of a cooling gel that handles temperature sensitivity. This one does require more attention on the part of the technician, as the heat can get uncomfortable after a while, or if the gel has already been absorbed.

Over at Facial Care, their Optimas Forma is a medical aesthetic workstation for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. It’s a non-invasive RF treatment that promotes safe skin tightening and contouring - it’s been popularly nicknamed the Red Carpet Facelift. Operating on the same principle of RF, the session involves heating deep layers of facial skin to stimulate new collagen production, and lead to the lifting and tightening of the cheeks, jawline, neck, and the skin area around our eye sockets. It evens skin tone, and reduces redness and blotching. There is a specific applicator used for the eye area so that the heat is applied over a smaller area of skin. I experienced sensitivity on my forehead and temple, and that was attributed to the fact that there’s less skin, and we’re closer to bone. It’s that twinge of heat discomfort at particular spots that were the only things one has to look out for.

Relatively painless, and effective over time with frequency, there’s much to recommend with my sessions at both Marie France and Facial Care. They’ve become part of my weekly routine now, and I welcome how they augment what I do in order to maintain my weight, and restore my past form. I still have some way to go to achieve my target and goals; but am happy that it’s being done in a non-invasive manner. It’s about regular visits, and maintaining other habits and patterns to promote health and wellness.

Marie France has an ongoing Go Lose Pounds promotion, emphasizing doctor consultations to customize a safe and healthy way to get rid of that excess poundage. It isn’t about short cuts, but about deveoping a proper protocol and program that fits your target and body type.