Question:
recently I hear about patients who start looking really frail and deathly from wls

has anyone here had this problem.? I dont want to look like someone who is about to croak.    — loisph (posted on September 28, 2003)

September 28, 2003
Very simple - its malnutrition. If they are not keeping up their protein, vitamins, supplements, their body eats away at itself and becomes stripped of the important things. Just like very old people who can't eat - malnutrition.
   — bethybb

September 28, 2003
Substantial protein, vitamins and calcium and B-12 are a life long committment for an RNY patient and if you don't do this you will likely have all kinds of health problems. I sure don't look unhealthy, but then again I'm not at goal yet. That's also why I do not see myself getting to an "ideal" goal weight. Too thin for me!
   — zoedogcbr

September 28, 2003
Hi Lois- I have a friend who didn't have WLS but dieted and lost approx. 100 pounds fast. She seemed to be doing the starvation thing. She looks terrible and much older than her age (41). I think it's a matter of getting the proper nutrients in :o) Good Luck, Mea
   — Mea A.

September 29, 2003
I was starting to hear people ask "are you SURE you feel ok" and "you look anorexic" A few things I have done (and haven't heard another word) are: I got my hair professionally colored (usually just do it myself)and foiled in hightlights (made the thinning hair less obvious) and I started going to the tanning booth (adding color really makes a difference). Plus you need to take into account as to wether these people knew you when you were thin. My grandmother (whom I was expecting to lecture me about being too thin) said, "oh my, you look just like you did in high school, now that's the Dana I remember" Word for word, I almost fell over!!! She probably will never know how good that felt. Those who knew me in my thinner days say I look great! Those who never knew me at a weight under 220 are the ones saying that I looked sick or tired or gaunt... Funny how they never told me how bad I looked when I was almost 300 lbs. and much unhealthier than ever!!!! Follow the rules and you will be fine.
   — Dana B.