You may have heard that Botox can help with fine lines and wrinkles on your face, but it has many more applications. While best known for its cosmetic uses, Botox can also be used for medical purposes, including weight loss. Here's what you need to know if you are curious about Botox for weight loss.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is made from botulinum toxin, a substance that can cause muscle paralysis. When injected into the body, it can temporarily block the signals between nerves and muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting and making wrinkles and fine lines temporarily disappear. Botox is not permanent, however. The effects of Botox will typically wear off after a few months.
What Are Surgical Weight Loss Options?
Current surgical options for weight loss include:
The above options are permanent, lifelong choices. Botox gastric injections, however, are not permanent choices and yet have still been successfully used for weight loss in patients.
What Are Gastric Injections?
Gastric injections are a new weight loss treatment that involves injecting Botox into the stomach. Hopkins Medicine states that "injecting botulinum toxin into the stomach wall temporarily relaxes the muscles and slows stomach emptying." In other words, the gastric injection slows down the digestion process, making you feel full for longer. In turn, the feeling of fullness should help you eat less. Hopkins Medicine further explains that gastric injections are meant for people who wish to lose about five to ten percent of their body weight, and the effects of the injections should last for about three months.
What Are the Benefits of Gastric Injections?
If you want to lose weight, gastric injections have several appealing benefits, including:
However, the most important benefit of Botox gastric injections is that they are temporary. Surgical procedures like gastric bypass can affect the quality of your life forever, but Botox can and does wear off.
Are There Any Risks?
As with any medical procedure, gastric injections have some risks. These risks include pain at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, the National Institutes of Health report that Botox gastric injections are successful for weight loss "without any serious side effects."
Botox has many uses, including safe, temporary weight loss. If you are considering gastric injections for weight loss, be sure to speak with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
For more information about Botox, contact a local company.
Share14 November 2022
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