Summer always brings a rash of articles pressuring us to work on that bikini bod or get beach ready for summer! And don’t get us wrong; we’re supportive of everyone’s fitness journey, in whatever form that may take. Fair warning, we’re here for a hot take on jaw wiring, one weight loss treatment we absolutely do not recommend.

A Short Primer on Jaw Wiring for Weight Loss

Jaw wiring is a lay term for a few different types of procedures. One, called inter-maxillary fixation, is an invasive surgery usually only done for a broken or fractured jaw. However, orthodontic jaw wiring is a less invasive version of locking the jaw semi-closed. Usually with only about 2 millimeters of space between top and bottom teeth. Why on Earth would anyone do that voluntarily?

Well, back in the 1970s and 80s, researchers started experimenting with using orthodontic brackets and wires to force overweight patients onto a strict liquid diet for a set amount of time. That timeframe could be anywhere from several weeks to almost a year and a half. (With occasional breaks to let the patients move their jaw a little, of course.)

Also, how are people doing thorough brushing and flossing in this type of device?

Does It Work?

Based on that research from the 1980s, jaw wiring was initially effective in getting a patient’s weight down. However, most rebounded fairly quickly after treatment was over.

The bracketed teeth often suffered severe, irreversible periodontal damage. Who would’ve thought that tugging on teeth the wrong direction for a whole year could possibly make them weaker? Shocking. Several patients also developed psychological disorders like claustrophobia, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Why Are We Talking About Jaw Wiring for Weight Loss Now?

Trust us, we’re thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, some geniuses in New Zealand and the UK got together and decided to give this another go. But wait, it’s different this time! Now, instead of orthodontic brackets, it’s a band around the molars that connects by magnet to force the mouth into a fixed, closed position.

Oh, but don’t worry, there’s an emergency release key. You know, in case you start choking. Because fiddling with an emergency release mechanism while a person is choking is a great use of time.

While proponents tout this device as having “absolutely no adverse consequences,” Chelsea Kronengold of the National Eating Disorders Association describes it as “barbaric,” and Deanne Jade from the UK’s National Centre for Eating Disorders likens it to a “return to the Dark Ages.”

This study involved just seven patients wearing the device for about two weeks. And I won’t even comment on the fact that 100% of participants were women.

But Does. It. Work?

The participants lost about fourteen pounds in two weeks. Sound great, right?

I spoke with Registered Dietician Brittany Leneweaver to get her feedback on this approach to weight loss. “Weight loss is not simple,” she said. “If you’re losing weight too rapidly, you are not losing belly fat. You’re losing healthy lean muscle.” In fact, any weight loss more than one or maybe two pounds in a week is unlikely to be the result of fat burning. In short, this treatment may lower the number on the scale, but that doesn’t mean the loss is actually healthy. It can do long-term damage to your body and slow your metabolism, making healthy weight loss even harder in the future!

She did clarify that, sure, jaw wiring is probably preferable to the risks of bariatric surgery. However, this is not a good plan for healthy and sustainable fat loss. Also, if you’re committed to the liquid diet idea, there are much healthier smoothie options than the restrictive 1,200 calorie-per-day regimen of this study. And you can do it without wiring your jaw shut.

What’s Better for Weight Loss Than Jaw Wiring?

You know what I’m gonna say, right? Unfortunately, you have to do the hard work. Ideally, that means seeking professional guidance. First step should always be a visit to your physician for a physical and bloodwork.

From there, we highly recommend consulting with a Registered Dietician. (Remember, this is not the same as a Nutritionist.) For folks with truly disordered eating or an emotional relationship to food, mental health counseling may also be an important part of your plan.

Regardless, remember one thing: hot girl summer is for every body! You want a beach body? Then take your body to the beach! Enjoy your summer, Orlando!