In the quest for that perfect figure, people are willing to go to any lengths. Since exercising and healthy eating do not seem to be a very feasible option for many, there have been many companies that have cashed in on this. And this isn't a new trend. In the good old days, there used to be corsets, which would practically reduce the waist of the woman to such an extent that it could be completely encircled by the hands. And now, the corset has extended till below so that it covers the belly and thigh region as well, and this is being marketed as a 'body shaper' or girdle. These girdles help make a slight tummy disappear. Some people who have only a slight tummy, claim that they even seem to have as good an effect as liposuction, because they help a person to 'instantly' lose belly fat. So, does wearing girdles for weight loss really work to get rid of excess weight in the body or not? Vital Information Girdles are basically elastic, tight, fitting wear, which help to push in loose skin and make it appear more taut, thus, giving the appearance of a thin and svelte figure. This, is of course possible, only up to a certain extent, and you cannot expect a person to instantly drop a stone or anything by wearing such body shapers. It will help if you have slight cellulite problems or if you have a slight tummy. Also, stomach girdles are said to aid women in getting back into shape after their pregnancy. This is also used by a lot of people that have drastically lost a lot of weight and so, need to wear something to prevent their loose skin folds from sagging. Some women claim that wearing the shapers helped them to look slimmer and fitter, and basically, more than anything, this gave them a confidence boost. However, it is difficult to comprehend how wearing a shapewear could possibly help in actual loss of pounds. There are a few girdles that claim they do more than just 'push the tummy in'. Some of these are made of a specific type of fabric, which is said to give a kind of massage to the skin, which helps to not only increase the blood circulation, but also helps to break down the fat in these regions so that they eventually are lost from the body, leading to actual weight loss in problem areas like the belly, hips, and thighs. One of the downsides of this shapewear is that it compresses the muscles of the abdomen and does not allow as free movement as is usually possible. Thus, this may actually slacken and make the muscle lazy due to its restricted use. Thus, it may eventually lead to weight gain, if the person suddenly stops wearing it. So, it would actually help instead, if the person tries to do side by side abdominal exercises. It cannot be said whether only wearing them will actually be of much help, because their efficacy is still debatable. Although they do manage to make a person look thinner, in most probability, they do not actually lead to any actual loss of pounds, but only make you look thinner. So, if you want a change in your figure, along with a change in your scale reading, then I'm afraid healthy eating along with some regular exercising is the only way to go! Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.