Most of the people we meet in our NYC cosmetic surgery practice are interested in obtaining and maintaining a physique that suits their image of themselves. This means keeping it slim and tight – curves in all the right places. This desire that men and women of all ages have is also evident outside of the plastic surgery office. A few minutes spent on the internet and you’ll find a myriad of tips and tricks which claim to quickly improve body shape; waist trainers, for example. The problem with unprofessional information is that it often skips over important details.
What is waist training, anyway?
Back in the 16th Century, European and British women commonly wore corsets beneath their ornate dresses. Some believe the intent of a corset was to draw in the waist to the extraordinarily small circumference. In actuality, early corsets were more of a cylindrical shape. This detail aside, the purpose of some of these garments was to “train” the body to look a certain way even without a corset in place. This was the norm back then. Today, the trend is to train the waist with what we call a waist trainer.
Like the corsets of old, waist training garments are tightened around the midsection to train this area of the body into the desired shape. Today, that shape is more hourglass than cylindrical. Sounds simple enough, right? The problem is, experts warn that waist training could give a woman more than she bargained for.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, there are inherent risks to waist training that should be carefully considered before usage. These include:
- Disruption of digestion. The intestinal tract and stomach are important organs located in the midsection. To constrict them severely means to inhibit functions such as the production of stomach acid. Proper absorption of food may also decline.
- Stress on vital organs. There is more than fat and muscle in the abdominal area; there are also kidneys, the gallbladder, the lungs, and more. Consistent and intense pressure from a waist trainer does more than sculpting the midsection; it forces these vital organs to adapt regarding shape, which could ultimately affect function.
- Depletion of oxygen. Imaging was trying to breathe with someone sitting on you. The pressure on your upper torso prevents you from taking in the full extent of air your lungs are capable of holding. According to research, this capacity decreases up to 60% when a waist trainer is worn. The discomfort of shallow breathing may eventually dissipate, but the consequences of poor oxygenation to the brain and other organs mount.
Do you want a more sculpted waistline? Contact Luxurgery in New York City at (212) 508-0000.