I just had my first body wrap on Halloween night. It was a very interesting experience. I liked this body wrap because it didn't dehydrate you by taking water out of your whole body, it just took the bad water out of your skin, which is one of the main causes of cellulite. They wrapped me in gauze like bandages soaked with some kind of mineral water for an hour. It was very weird being wrapped up so tight like that, but it wasn't that bad. And the other good thing is, that the guy said that you shouldn't gain your inches back unless you gain weight. The place that I went to guaranteed that you would lose 6-20 inches (cumulative of your whole body) in your first wrap, or you would get the next one free. Well...
I only lost 5.5 inches. Which is still better than nothing, and it also means that I get another one free! And that is very good, because where I went, the body wraps are $120 a pop.
So, anyone have any stories or experiences with body wraps?
Well, I hate to tell you this, but if that's what the guy told you, then he was basically giving you a bunch of bunk.
If you want to do it for relaxation purposes or to lose water weight (and that's all your losing is water - BTW there's no 'good' or 'bad' water in your body - which is mostly water anyway!) then that's fine...but as far as a weight-loss aid, fergit about it.
However, as soon as you start drinking water again, you will begin to gain the water weight back.
"Cellulite" Removers
Cellulite is a term coined in European salons and spas to describe deposits of dimpled fat found on the thighs and buttocks of many women. Widespread promotion of the concept in the United States followed the 1973 publication of Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps and Bulges You Couldn't Lose Before, by Nicole Ronsard, owner of a New York City beauty salon that specialized in skin and body care. Cellulite is alleged to be a special type of "fat gone wrong," a combination of fat, water, and "toxic wastes" that the body has failed to eliminate. Alleged "anticellulite" products sold through retail outlets, by mail, through multilevel companies, and through the Internet have included "loofah" sponges; cactus fibers; special washcloths; horsehair mitts; creams and gels to "dissolve" cellulite; supplements containing vitamins; minerals and/or herbs; bath liquids; massagers; rubberized pants; exercise books; brushes; rollers; body wraps; and toning lotions. Many salons offer treatment with electrical muscle stimulation, vibrating machines, inflatable hip-high pressurized boots, "hormone" or "enzyme" injections, heating pads, and massage. Some operators claim that 5 to 15 inches can be lost in one hour. A series of treatments can cost hundreds of dollars.
"Cellulite" is not a medical term. Medical authorities agree that cellulite is simply ordinary fatty tissue. Strands of fibrous tissue connect the skin to deeper tissue layers and also separate compartments that contain fat cells. When fat cells increase in size, these compartments bulge and produce a waffled appearance of the skin. Many years ago, Neil Solomon, M.D., conducted a double-blind study of 100 people to see whether cellulite differed from ordinary fat. Specimens of regular fat and lumpy fat were obtained by a needle biopsy procedure and given to pathologists for analysis and comparison. No difference between the two was found.
More recently, researchers at Rockefeller Institute used ultrasonography, microscopic examinations, and fat-metabolism studies to see "affected" and unaffected skin areas differed in seven healthy adult subjects (five women, two men; four affected, three unaffected). The researchers concluded: (a) certain characteristics of skin make women more prone than men to develop cellulite; (b) the process is diffuse rather than localized; and (3) there were no significant differences in the appearance or function of the fatty tissue or the regional blood flow between affected and unaffected sites within individuals.
Body Wrapping
Many salons and spas exist where clients supposedly can trim inches off the waist, hips, thighs, and other areas of the body. These facilities use wraps or garments, with or without special lotions or creams applied to the skin. The garments may be applied to parts of the body or to the entire body. Clients are typically assured that fat will "melt away" and they can lose "up to 2 inches from those problem areas in just one hour." Suddenly Slender, which licenses body-wrap shops in the United States and Canada, claims that "wrapping works because cellulite is water-logged fatty tissue." As part of its sales pitch to prospective owners, the company notes that free publicity may be obtainable. Its Web site states: "Because clients get dressed up as "mummies" and then, almost miraculously, achieve major inch loss and startling improvements to their figures, local and national media have been overwhelmingly receptive to featuring presentations about the service."
Home-use systems are also being marketed through the Internet and through multilevel marketing. Many of the systems are claimed to "remove toxins." Some marketers suggest measuring a large number of body areas before and afterward and adding up the differences to get "total inches lost." Life Force International, for example, recommends adding the results of 17 measurements. This enables minor changes due to temporary effects or to measurement variations to appear to be large numbers.
No product taken by mouth can cause selective reduction of an area of the body. Although wrapping may cause temporary water loss as a result of perspiration or compression, any fluid will soon be replaced by drinking or eating. The idea that herbal wraps detoxify the body is absurd.
I actually got very angry when I read your post. You are still very young and basically the salon guy just took advantage of your inexperience. My own esthicitian does NOT do body wraps (and she's been in business for almost 30 years) because she doesn't want to rip off her customers.
I urge you to check out the latest (December 2002) issue of Oxygen Magazine - there's an excellent article on page 114 called "Deconstructing Cellulite" which will break it down for you. I'd suggest making a copy of it and showing it to the guy at the salon, but then again, you probably won't be showing him something he doesn't know already.
I'd like to close with an excerpt from the book "Seabiscuit: An American Legend". Yep, it's about a racehorse, but there's a chapter on how jockeys lost weight (and they probably still use these practices today):
Quote:
(jockey) Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons confessed that during his riding days a typical dinner consisted of a leaf or two of lettuce, and he would eat them only after placing them on a windowsill to dry the water out of them. Water, because of its weight, was the prime enemy, and jockeys went to absurd lengths to keep it out of their systems. Most drank virtually nothing...After road work, there were Turkish baths, where jockeys congregated for mornings of communal sweating. The desiccation practices of jockeys were lampooned by turf writer Joe H. Palmer in a column written on jockey Abelardo DeLara: "DeLara has to sweat off about two pounds a day to make weight. Last year, by his own estimate, he lost about 600 pounds this way. Since he weighs about 110, it is a mere matter of arithmetic that he would be a bit more than 700 pounds if he hadn't reduced so regularly."
First of all, let me get something straight. The guy at the body wrap place never said that I would lose weight from the wrap. As a matter of fact, that is the first thing that he told me. He said that any weight loss at all would be an extra. He also let me know that the water would come back, but not for awhile and that if I kept up a good diet and exercise, the water would stay gone for even longer.
The reason I went in for the wrap is to lose a few inches (I knew it wouldn't be that much) and to tone my body. And it did work. My skin felt tighter and smoother, and it took away some cellulite that I had on my legs.
I don't feel that they took advantage of me. They explained the process in a professional manner and they were very honest with me. My mom also went with me. She had a gastric bypass surgery last year and has lost 101 lbs. and so she went for some skin toning and tightening. She lost 8.5 inches (cumulative, of course) and she felt great afterwards. The wrap that I did can't be that phony, because my mom's insurance is looking into maybe paying for some of it, since her skin does need some tightening due to the surgery.
Hey Holly!
I was just curious as to how long your inches stayed gone after your wrap. I am thinking of doing it, too, but, as you said in your earlier post, it's expensive!
Since a couple of weeks have passed since you were "wrapped," has your opinion of them changed or is it still worth the $?
Let me know, if you don't mind!
Cheryl
Well, since I only last 5.5 inches to begin with (cumulative of my whole body), I really didn't notice that. The biggest thing that I noticed was that my skin really did feel firmer and more toned. I also got rid of some cellulite, which hasn't come back. I do admit, that it is pretty steep, and it could be cheaper, but at the same time, I don't think it was a waste. I think it would be something nice to do for yourself every once in awhile. =) Hope that helps. Let me know if you want any more info or have any more questions.
Hi,
Can I diffuse the situation here? As well as being a moderator here at 3FC like Mrs. Jim, I am also a professional cosmetologist by trade-so I believe I have an educated opinion.
There are a few small things in favor of the wraps-the herbs and emollients used in the wraps CAN give your skin a tighter appearance TEMPORARILY-and give you an improved appearance in the cellulite prone areas due to the water loss. This is great if you want go pop another $120 every 3-4 weeks every time the results from the last one wear off...but for most of us, that is not an option-nor is it really taking care of the problem. But-you are not TONING your body by getting a wrap-an appearance of tighter skin and a permanently toned body due to regular exercise are two entirely different things.
The consultant DID however give you some misinformation about the good water/bad water stuff. He said that bad water is one of the main causes of cellulite-and that it would not dehydrate you, because it only took the bad water out of your body? Water is water, and fat is fat. Cellulite is fat-not water, and the only way to lose fat is through diet and exercise. There it is. By telling you stuff like this-he IS taking advantage of you. There is absolutely no medical basis to what I just read he told you in your first post.
The toning and tightening of the skin is also not permanent. It is a temporary quick fix also. You can get similar skin tightening results MUCH cheaper by using one of those skin firming lotions they have out now regularly for a few weeks.
I do not want to step on any toes here-but I feel there is something that needs to be adressed. I have read many of your posts-and know that you are very young, and have tried plans like Slim-Fast, these wraps, and other things. I am also now aware that your mother had a gastric bypass surgery.
Did your mother yo-yo diet while you were growing up? A lot of bypass surgery patients have tried every diet out there with no success-so they opt for surgery. The key word is DIET-not a lifetime change of eating habits and regular exercise.I think maybe her weight issues have maybe left quite an impression on you and your body image. Please realize that short of her type of radical surgery-that the only way to a healthy body is creating a lifelong healthy lifestlye of eating and exercise. No pill, body wrap, or the latest diet in Cosmo permanently does it for ANYONE. I do certainly hope that after her surgery, that even though her eating is surgery controlled-that she is exercising regularly to gain muscle-it will greatly improve the appearance of her skin, as well as provide other health benefits.
I must also say that I truly do not think it is appropriate for the insurance company to be considering paying for these wraps. My stepmother is an insurance agent, and there are many people who need their medical insurance benefits for things such as prenatal care, diabetes care, and serious things like heart medications. You are pretty young, and if you are not familiar with how the insurance system works-here are the basics. (Insurance is something a lot of people do not think of...they have it or they don't-and only think of it when they need it for something.)Everyone pays their monthly insurance premiums to the company-which gets basically, put into the pot. The company takes out of this pot and gives pays for the medical bills and prescriptions of the clients-with the hopes of always having enough in the pot to pay for the medical expenses of the clients. If there is a huge excess in the pot-the monthly rates go down, if there are many expenses-our mothly rates go up. If the rates are high because there are many that need this money for legitimate reasons-hey, I'll pay a higher rate-but-I would hate to think that the money my family is putting into our monthly insurance premiums could be going to someone getting herbs wrapped around their-well, you know. Everyone elses premiums go up/stay up when advantages like this are taken when the companies pay for these types of claims. I do not think that kind of money should be going to something cosmetic of this nature-which is truly what it is.
On a more positive note-Mrs. Jim is a wonderful example of someone who has made a lifetime change from being obese to making choices that naturally and PERMANTLY have changed her life and body for the better. Rather than looking around and trying all of these quick fixes-looking to ladies like Mrs. Jim who have made that lifetime change to better health would be much better and productive for you. I would hate to see someone so young and beautiful like yourself go through your life trying every pill or procedure out there-and end up having surgery like your mother. You do not have to go that route-you know, I am sure that the procedure and what led to her having it were not pleasant, I assume. I wish you luck in finding the way to a healthier life.
I am not saying it isn't great to go to a spa and be pampered-it is WONDERFUL-but this is not a solution.
I am right on when I tell clients that I can make them look good. But that is ALL I do-and they know it. Hair color, manicures, facials, wraps-it is all TEMPORARY. If you only had to come in and get them done once-I'd be out of business.
Aphil
Just reading your last paragraph reminded me of an old Saturday Night Live skit - a "People's Court" parody with Jon Lovitz playing the Devil being sued by a young gal who was a hairdresser. Remember that one? Check out the transcript here http://snltranscripts.jt.org/86/86ccourt.phtml You'll crack up...here's the part I was referring to...
Quote:
Judge Wopner: Now, Miss Braithwaite, in your deposition you state that, shortly after you started your business and went into agreement with the Devil, your business actually began to lose money. Now, is this your idea of success in business, Mr. Mephistopheles?
Mephistopheles: [ with a smirk ] Well, your Honor, that was kind of a trick. You see, as I promised Miss Braithwaite, I made her a great hairdresser. Her coifs were magical. Once you got one, you never needed another.
Judge Wopner: So there was no repeat business?
Mephistopheles: Exactly! But it's more or less customary for me to cheat mortals in this way. By observing only the letter of the agreement. For example, I'll give someone eternal youth, then have them sentenced to life imprisonment. That sort of thing. It's pretty standard. I'm the Devil!
As far as insurance companies paying for body wraps after WLS...I know they pay for tummy tucks to rid the body of excess skin after a huge weight loss...but body wraps...I don't think so...
And Aphil is right on. You look like a gorgeous young girl - it is GOOD for you to want to live a healthier lifestyle...what I suggest is do some heavy reading...eat healthy, clean food - stay away from fast food except for special occasions...and incorporate exercise - especially weight training...and you'll be surprised at the changes your body will make - here's a great site to start at:
Don't let the mods ranting get you down. Mrs. Jim always jumps on newbies posts and seems to be negative in most of her replies - when I was new I used to think that she was trying the fire & brimstone approach to gather new converts to BFL. LOL!! Now I understand it's just her passion and her style.
Sounds like your experience was a positive one. Cellulite, poor circulation and water retention are often related, so I'm not surprised that the appearance improved! The good water/bad water is bunk... But your skin is an organ of elimination so wastes/toxins that can lurk in tissues with poor circulation are squeezed out with the sweat. Body wraps are great!
I hope you enjoy your 2nd (and free!) one just as much. Don't let a little negativity drive you away from the supportive people on this board.
Originally posted by Cafe976 Now I understand it's just her passion and her style.
MrsJim definitely knows her stuff I'm sorry if there has been a misunderstanding, but she has explained before that she's upset with the diet industry, and not the people that fall for their pitches. I feel the same way, I think there is so much greed out there, from corporations or individuals wishing to cash in on the weight loss industry because they know that we are desperate and always looking for a solution, and so many people are looking for a "quick" fix. If people didn't fall for their unrealistic claims, we wouldn't be conned out of billions of dollars every year. I don't think MrsJim is jumping on newbies, but instead, I think that many newbies come here looking for information on the latest gadget or diet pill, and haven't been with us long enough to realize that the best way to do it is through a healthy diet and exercise plan. So their first posts are usually about the latest miracle diet to hit the infomercials (etc). Some products damage not only our bank accounts, but also our health. Fortunately for us, we have MrsJim, Aphil, and other mods that have researched these products and can quickly let us know which are realistic and which should be avoided.
Bodywrap Anyone?
As well as being a moderator here at 3FC like Mrs. Jim, I am also a professional cosmetologist by trade-so I believe I have an educated opinion. 
