Omar Khalid
The plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, is a fad diet that involves attaching a small, abrasive piece of plastic mesh to the tongue, making the consumption of solid food painful. The procedure was developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Nikolas Chugay and launched in 2009. The tongue patch is designed to cause pain when the patient tries to eat solid food, forcing them to stick to a strict 800-calorie-per-day liquid diet. While the diet has gained popularity, particularly in Venezuela, it has also received significant criticism from health experts and medical professionals who have labelled it as dangerous, unethical, and ineffective for long-term weight loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Weight Reduction Patch, Chugay Patch, Miracle Patch |
| Patch Material | Marlex (a polymer composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene) |
| Procedure Time | 10 minutes |
| Patch Size | Postage stamp |
| Number of Stitches | 6 |
| Patch Removal | Any time by snipping the sutures; must be removed within a month to prevent the tongue from growing into it |
| Side Effects | Swollen tongue, difficulty speaking, nerve damage, infection, trouble sleeping |
| Diet | 800-calorie liquid-only diet, 45 minutes of daily exercise |
| Weight Loss | Up to 30 pounds in a month |
| Cost | $2,000 |
| Availability | Offered by Dr. Nikolas Chugay in Beverly Hills, California; clinics in Venezuela |
| Criticism | Dangerous, flawed, unethical, extreme, a "sham" |
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What You'll Learn
Tongue Patch Diet
The Tongue Patch Diet, also known as the Weight Reduction Patch, Chugay Patch, or Miracle Patch, is a fad diet that involves attaching a patch to the top of the tongue, making eating solid food painful. This forces the person to resort to a restrictive 800-calorie liquid-only diet. The patch is made of Marlex, a polymer composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, and is stitched to the tongue with six sutures in a procedure that takes about ten minutes. The Tongue Patch Diet was developed by Dr. Nikolas Chugay, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, and launched in 2009.
After the patch is applied, the 30-day regimen includes 45 minutes of daily exercise, in addition to the restricted caloric intake. Patients may experience a swollen tongue and difficulty speaking for the first 72 hours after the procedure. Dr. Chugay claims that the diet has no severe risks or side effects, but critics have labelled it dangerous, claiming that it could lead to infection, swelling, nerve damage, muscle loss, and even death. The procedure has not been approved by the FDA and has received criticism from health experts and media outlets.
Despite the criticism and potential risks, the Tongue Patch Diet gained popularity in Venezuela, where it was introduced in 2011. As of 2014, Dr. Chugay's clinic in California is the only place in the United States that offers this treatment. The procedure costs $2,000 and patients can expect to lose anywhere from 18 to 30 pounds in one month.
While some patients have achieved their desired weight loss goals with the Tongue Patch Diet, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before considering such an extreme and potentially dangerous procedure. There may be alternative, safer methods to achieve weight loss that do not involve sewing foreign objects into one's mouth.
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Risks and side effects
The plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, is a fad diet that involves attaching a patch to the top of the tongue, making eating solid food painful and forcing patients onto a liquid diet. The patch is made of Marlex, a polymer composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, and is stitched to the tongue.
While the tongue patch diet has been touted as a minimally invasive procedure that helps obese patients lose weight, it does come with certain risks and side effects. Here are some of the key considerations:
Infection and Rejection
One of the primary concerns with the tongue patch procedure is the risk of infection. As Dr. Brian Evans, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, points out, "Adding a foreign substance to the body comes with the risk of infection or rejection, which means swelling, pain, and discomfort." The tongue is a sensitive part of the body, and introducing a foreign object can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth, leading to potential infections. Patients are typically prescribed antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash to minimise this risk.
Speech Difficulties and Sleep Disturbances
Patients with the tongue patch often experience speech difficulties due to tongue swelling and pain. This side effect can last for several days after the patch is applied and may affect an individual's ability to communicate effectively. Additionally, some patients have reported trouble sleeping, which could be related to the discomfort and pain caused by the patch.
Temporary Weight Loss Solution
While the tongue patch can lead to rapid weight loss, it is not a long-term solution for obesity. Patients may lose weight during the treatment period, but the weight loss is not sustained in the long run. Therefore, this procedure should be accompanied by a commitment to lifelong lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, to achieve lasting weight loss results.
Potential for Undernourishment
The liquid diet that patients are restricted to during the tongue patch treatment may not provide adequate nutrition. Patients may experience side effects such as fatigue, constipation, nausea, or diarrhoea due to the very low-calorie diets (VLCDs). In some cases, patients may also develop arrhythmias secondary to electrolyte imbalances, emphasising the importance of proper vitamin and mineral supplementation under medical supervision.
Other Considerations
The tongue patch procedure has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there are concerns about its safety and ethics within the medical community. It is crucial for individuals considering this procedure to thoroughly understand the potential risks and side effects and to consult with qualified healthcare professionals before undergoing any extreme weight loss methods.
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Popularity in Venezuela
The plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, is a fad diet that involves attaching a patch to the tongue to make eating solid food painful, forcing the dieter onto a restrictive 800-calorie liquid diet. The procedure was launched in 2009 by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Nikolas Chugay.
The tongue patch procedure gained more popularity in Venezuela than in the USA. Venezuelan society is known for its emphasis on female physical appearance, with breast implants even being offered as 15th birthday presents. This cultural context may have contributed to the popularity of the tongue patch procedure in the country.
The tongue patch was introduced in Venezuela in 2011, two years after its launch in the USA. One clinic in Caracas, the capital, has seen around 900 patients per month since it began offering the procedure, according to Time. The low cost of the procedure in Venezuela, at just $150 compared to $2,000 at Dr. Chugay's clinic in California, is likely a significant factor in its popularity.
The tongue patch has been labelled a "craze" in Venezuela, with some Venezuelans viewing it as a quick fix for weight loss. Ana Maria Parra of Obesiesbel, a clinic in Caracas, Venezuela, confirmed the popularity of the procedure, stating that she has seen about 900 potential patients each month.
However, it's important to note that the popularity of the tongue patch procedure in Venezuela may be due in part to the lack of rigorous testing and approval by the FDA. The procedure has been criticised by health experts and physicians who have expressed concerns about its safety and ethics. Despite these concerns, the tongue patch continues to be offered as a weight-loss solution in Venezuela.
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Criticisms and controversy
The plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, has faced significant criticism and controversy since its launch in 2009. Health experts and media outlets have criticised the procedure, deeming it dangerous, unethical, and flawed.
One of the primary concerns surrounding the plastic tongue patch is the risk of infection and other health complications. Critics argue that the procedure can cause infection, swelling, and nerve damage. Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a plastic surgeon in La Jolla, California, has spoken out against the tongue patch procedure, stating that it is "dangerous, flawed, and unethical". He further explains that the act of swallowing and constant movement of the tongue can increase the risk of infection and other complications.
Additionally, the extreme nature of the diet has raised concerns. The liquid-only diet that accompanies the tongue patch is highly restrictive, limiting patients to only 800 calories per day. Dr. Chaffoo warns that such a low-calorie intake can lead to muscle loss and severe malnutrition. The diet also lacks solid foods, which can result in a lack of essential nutrients and fibre, potentially causing long-term health issues.
The effectiveness of the procedure for long-term weight loss has also been questioned. Critics argue that while the tongue patch may lead to rapid weight loss in the short term, it does not address the underlying behavioural and lifestyle factors contributing to weight gain. Dr. Chaffoo and other health professionals emphasise the importance of healthier, sustainable weight loss methods that do not intentionally cause pain or put individuals at risk.
The plastic tongue patch has also faced criticism for its potential to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking weight loss solutions. The relatively low cost of the procedure in certain locations, such as Venezuela, has raised concerns about the potential for plastic surgery tourism. This could lead to individuals undergoing the procedure without proper medical supervision or aftercare, increasing the risk of complications.
Furthermore, the marketing of the plastic tongue patch as a "Miracle Patch" has been controversial. Critics argue that this type of messaging can be misleading and may downplay the risks and potential side effects of the procedure. Overall, the plastic tongue patch has sparked significant controversy due to its potential risks, ethical concerns, and questionable effectiveness as a weight loss solution.
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Development and procedure
The plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, Weight Reduction Patch, Chugay Patch, or Miracle Patch, is a fad diet launched in 2009 by plastic surgeon Dr. Nikolas Chugay. The patch is made of Marlex, a polymer composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, which is typically used in hernia repair. The procedure involves stitching the patch onto the tongue with six stitches, making it painful to consume solid food. This forces the patient to resort to a restrictive 800-calorie liquid-only diet, resulting in rapid weight loss.
The development of the plastic tongue patch was inspired by a similar procedure in Mexico. Dr. Chugay introduced the tongue patch as an alternative to invasive weight loss methods such as gastric bypass or Lap-band surgery. The patch is approximately the size of a postage stamp and is stitched onto the top of the tongue. The procedure takes about ten minutes, and the patient can return to work the following day. However, patients may experience side effects such as tongue swelling, difficulty speaking, and sleep disturbances for the first few days after the operation. Antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash are recommended to minimise the risk of infection.
The tongue patch is intended to stay in place for up to one month. After this period, the patient must consult with nutritionists to continue their weight loss journey. The patch can be removed earlier by snipping the sutures, but if left for longer than a month, the tongue may start to grow around it. Some patients have worn the patch for up to 60 days without reported complications.
The Tongue Patch Diet gained popularity in Venezuela, with clinics in Caracas offering the procedure for a much lower cost of $150 compared to $2,000 at Dr. Chugay's clinic in California. Despite its effectiveness in weight loss, the procedure has been criticised by health experts and other plastic surgeons as dangerous, unethical and flawed. The risks associated with the procedure include infection, swelling, pain, nerve damage, and muscle loss due to extreme calorie restriction. As of 2014, Dr. Chugay remains the only surgeon in the United States offering this treatment, and it has not been approved by the FDA.
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic tongue patch, also known as the Tongue Patch Diet, is a fad diet that involves attaching a patch to the top of the tongue to make eating solid food painful.
The patch is made of Marlex, a polymer composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene. The procedure for stitching the patch to the tongue takes about ten minutes, using six stitches.
The plastic tongue patch is meant to be a weight loss aid, forcing the wearer to stick to a liquid diet.
The plastic tongue patch has been criticised by health experts and media outlets, who have labelled it as dangerous. Potential risks include infection, swelling, nerve damage, and muscle loss.
The plastic tongue patch was launched in 2009 by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Nikolas Chugay, who claims to be the only surgeon in the USA offering this treatment. It has, however, gained more popularity in Venezuela.
