anorexic?
Okay a bit of background..I was 240 at my highest weight preop, had the VSG 2 years ago next month..I am 5'3" and 55, I am down to 103 pounds...still in the normal BMI range. I am getting a lot of negative feedback with being too thin, some going as far as asking me if I am anorexic...I am not...so my question to you...if you met someone who you did not know when they were obese and they were 5'3" and 103, would you think they were anorexic? thanks for any feedback!
Well, it's hard to say for me. I have some friends that tall and shorter and they weigh about that if they are petite..You can put on some weight by building some muscle..You won't get much size but you will get weight..
If you're okay with what you weigh and you don't want to lose any more, I would say you're fine. If you're not obsessive about every single ounce of weight and weigh every hour...then I would say you're fine.
Are you at your surgeon's goal for you? Have you recently gotten down to where you are or have you been there a while? If you've just recently gotten that low, you could look pretty gaunt..but the weight should level out and settle down. pretty soon, I'd say.
Yes, RNY worked for me but it also requires a lot of work from me!
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
Honestly, people's reactions are based on their first look at you -- and if you appear very small -- very gaunt -- it may be assumed that you have a problem -- even if you are the healthiest 103 lb woman they have met.
Perhaps you need to take a look in the mirror, look at photographs, step outside of yourself for a moment and see what they see? Are you sunken? Eyes drawn? Bones jutting out?
Some post WLS patients appear sick, and the comments will come. But, do realize... maybe 15 pounds would make a world of difference on your frame and the negativity might stop if it makes you uncomfortable.
Have you been to the doctor?
Perhaps you need to take a look in the mirror, look at photographs, step outside of yourself for a moment and see what they see? Are you sunken? Eyes drawn? Bones jutting out?
Some post WLS patients appear sick, and the comments will come. But, do realize... maybe 15 pounds would make a world of difference on your frame and the negativity might stop if it makes you uncomfortable.
Have you been to the doctor?
If you're healthy and happy with your weight who cares? Your bmi is in the normal range. Do you know your body fat percentage? If its normal why worry about opinions. Formerly obese or always thin, its your health that matters most.
"Ideal" weight is skinny by todays standards. What The Gap sells as a size 0 today was a size 10 when I was a teen. Thin folks with little muscle tone may not always look as healthy as they really are. (I'm not saying this is you.) Muscle definition with light free weights can make a big difference in appearing too thin vs slender and toned.
"Ideal" weight is skinny by todays standards. What The Gap sells as a size 0 today was a size 10 when I was a teen. Thin folks with little muscle tone may not always look as healthy as they really are. (I'm not saying this is you.) Muscle definition with light free weights can make a big difference in appearing too thin vs slender and toned.
MSW Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Eat sensibly & enjoy moderation
Links: Are you a compulsive eater? for help OA meets on-line Keep Coming Back, One Day At a Time Overeaters Anonymous
L
V'N MY RNY. WORKING FOR ME BECAUSE I WORK FOR IT.
Hi charlotte
Congratulations on your stellar weight loss to date. Former Naval parmamedic and resiedent quack locally here in So California. Please be advised, I'm no doctor, but can't help but wonder how you might have been seen so negatively to date... I'm far less concerned over your dramatic weight loss over and above needed labs needed subsequently to your WLS intervention. Are we supplimenting well and/ or being worked up properly in follow-up? OFTEN neglected in bariatrics in general. It would be a fools's errand to think a restrictive only WLS might require different. And, yes, I would include most normies as well.
Tis as said,
Rockne.
Congratulations on your stellar weight loss to date. Former Naval parmamedic and resiedent quack locally here in So California. Please be advised, I'm no doctor, but can't help but wonder how you might have been seen so negatively to date... I'm far less concerned over your dramatic weight loss over and above needed labs needed subsequently to your WLS intervention. Are we supplimenting well and/ or being worked up properly in follow-up? OFTEN neglected in bariatrics in general. It would be a fools's errand to think a restrictive only WLS might require different. And, yes, I would include most normies as well.
Tis as said,
Rockne.
Anorexia is a mental disorder. You look in a mirror at 103 but "see" 303.
If you are thin, but healthy, and see yourself appx where you are, you're not anorexic.
If I see someone at 5'3' at 103, I'd think they were petite. If they were pale and frail and afraid to eat anything, yep, that'd be anorexic.
I'm 5'1", been at about 100 for 2 yrs now, but for 14 yrs, held about 12 and I look better there. I'm doing nothing to hold my wt down, but I have unmanageable stress in my life, since 2008, really, so it affects me by killing my appetite and knotting up my guts. I still eat 6x per day, but very small portions.
If you are thin, but healthy, and see yourself appx where you are, you're not anorexic.
If I see someone at 5'3' at 103, I'd think they were petite. If they were pale and frail and afraid to eat anything, yep, that'd be anorexic.
I'm 5'1", been at about 100 for 2 yrs now, but for 14 yrs, held about 12 and I look better there. I'm doing nothing to hold my wt down, but I have unmanageable stress in my life, since 2008, really, so it affects me by killing my appetite and knotting up my guts. I still eat 6x per day, but very small portions.
Michelle
RNY, distal, 10/5/94
P.S. My year + long absence has NOTHING to do with my WLS, or my type of WLS. See my profile.
(deactivated member)
on 1/18/11 11:44 pm - CO
on 1/18/11 11:44 pm - CO
If a person met you for the first time, they would not think you were anorexic. I would assume that the people who you have known for a while are comparing your current appearance to what they are used to. Their perspective does not mean it is reality. I would use your surgeon as a guide. If he/she deems you as underweight, then you should make some changes.
I understand what you are talking about. I was 235 at surgery and 17 months later I am at 130 and being told Im too skinny, I look anorexic. I loose any more weight and I will blow over in the wind. That I need to go eat a cheese burger! My favorite one is my head is too big for my body! I can tell you when I look in the mirror I think I look great and my head is definately not too big for my body. But even knowing that I like how I look the comments take their toll. I try to brush them off and think wow this person is jealous but deep down Im questioning myself. It really does hurt and makes me question myself. I know I shouldnt let it bother me but it does.
Eating disorders are diagnosed as a mental condition. Someone recently made a comment to me also so I know how you feel... I am 4 years post and was 298 at my highest and now I hover around 150. I am 5'3 so I am still considered overweight as my BMI. I am comfortable with my size and decided to increase my exercise to tighten up what I can (had panni/TT 3 years ago). I also have severe anemia that I get parental iron for because I don't tolerate oral supplements.
The DSM lists the criteria that diagnoses different mental disorders. In diagnosing anorexia:
1. Refusal to maintain weight above 85% of normal.
2. Intense fear of gaining or becoming fat.
3. Disturbance in the individuals body image perception or denial of current low body weight.
4. ammenorhea if applicable.
it is then divided to restricting or binging/purging subtypes.
It does not seem like these apply to you. There are other diagnosed eating disorders also if you do practice in binging/purging, excessive exercise, etc. You can have an eating disorder and be obese so BMI really has litte to do with the diagnosing of an eating disorder. As I said it is a mental disorder so it comes to the thought processes about your body image and your eating/exercising. Being post op, diagnosing an eating disorder is difficult because if you are successful, you do practice restricted eating ( If you are successful in maintaining your weightloss then you have changed your eating habits and still follow the basic NOs of surgery). Do you consume enough calories on average to maintain your current weight? I think a lot of it depends on if you maintain a stable weight or if you are still losing. If you feel that your eating is out of control (usually a mental disorder has to be interfering with daily life), then I would recommend you mention it to your doctor.
In our new lifestyles we tend to eat more ritualistically... I know my eating could be considered ritual...but at the same time it is routine and habit... I do obsess some about food I eat, I will try to look up resturant menus etc before I go...look into nutrition of plates etc. I prefer to eat at home...not because I want to hide, but that is where I know what I am eating. I allow myself to indulge by a 3 bite rule... If I want someting, 3 bites fills the craving/desire. In being post op we learn that our bodies don't agree with the foods that we should avoid. It is almost a punitive concept similar to a purging or excessive exercising disorder but the only way we can control it is to avoid those foods. If you find yourself eating things that you know will cause stomach upset then I would suggest you look into why.
In reality we all have an eating disorder of some sort, that is how we became obese in the first place. Mental disorders usually have to show a lack of self-concern or preservation. In obesity we lacked the concern to control our eating putting our health in danger from the effects. Also the reality of it is we do have a fear or extreme concern about gaining weight... we didn't go through surgery to fail. As far as body image... there's a lot to be said about that... I don't think I have a distorted perception personally... The effects of 30 years of obesity stare at me in the mirror every day.
The DSM lists the criteria that diagnoses different mental disorders. In diagnosing anorexia:
1. Refusal to maintain weight above 85% of normal.
2. Intense fear of gaining or becoming fat.
3. Disturbance in the individuals body image perception or denial of current low body weight.
4. ammenorhea if applicable.
it is then divided to restricting or binging/purging subtypes.
It does not seem like these apply to you. There are other diagnosed eating disorders also if you do practice in binging/purging, excessive exercise, etc. You can have an eating disorder and be obese so BMI really has litte to do with the diagnosing of an eating disorder. As I said it is a mental disorder so it comes to the thought processes about your body image and your eating/exercising. Being post op, diagnosing an eating disorder is difficult because if you are successful, you do practice restricted eating ( If you are successful in maintaining your weightloss then you have changed your eating habits and still follow the basic NOs of surgery). Do you consume enough calories on average to maintain your current weight? I think a lot of it depends on if you maintain a stable weight or if you are still losing. If you feel that your eating is out of control (usually a mental disorder has to be interfering with daily life), then I would recommend you mention it to your doctor.
In our new lifestyles we tend to eat more ritualistically... I know my eating could be considered ritual...but at the same time it is routine and habit... I do obsess some about food I eat, I will try to look up resturant menus etc before I go...look into nutrition of plates etc. I prefer to eat at home...not because I want to hide, but that is where I know what I am eating. I allow myself to indulge by a 3 bite rule... If I want someting, 3 bites fills the craving/desire. In being post op we learn that our bodies don't agree with the foods that we should avoid. It is almost a punitive concept similar to a purging or excessive exercising disorder but the only way we can control it is to avoid those foods. If you find yourself eating things that you know will cause stomach upset then I would suggest you look into why.
In reality we all have an eating disorder of some sort, that is how we became obese in the first place. Mental disorders usually have to show a lack of self-concern or preservation. In obesity we lacked the concern to control our eating putting our health in danger from the effects. Also the reality of it is we do have a fear or extreme concern about gaining weight... we didn't go through surgery to fail. As far as body image... there's a lot to be said about that... I don't think I have a distorted perception personally... The effects of 30 years of obesity stare at me in the mirror every day.
Most Active
Recent Topics
