"It makes the waist super snatched, and it makes your bust a little bigger," said Dr. Shayan Izaddoost, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Kelsey Seybold Clinic. "It gives you a flat belly, and it puts a lot of pressure on the small of your back, so it makes your derriere pop out."
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Dr. Izaddoost said the confusion comes when people think waist trainers are good for weight loss. He said that's unfounded, and added that wearing them too tight for too long can create major problems.
"The fabric can really chafe against the skin, and that can cause like a burn or a wound," Dr. Izaddoost said.
Dr. Izaddoost said that in extreme cases, a waist trainer worn too tight for too long can actually squeeze your stomach so much it causes acid reflux, heartburn, and even worse.
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"When you have that much pressure on your belly, the blood doesn't get back to the heart from the legs very well, and there's more pressure for the heart to pump out blood," Dr. Izaddoost said.
According to Dr. Izaddoost, it is safe to wear a waist trainer in moderation, but you should buy them in a bigger size.
He said it won't magically help you lose weight, but if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to a tummy tuck or liposuction, you may want to consider hiring a nutritionist, getting on a diet plan, and exercising.
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