Question:
Isn't losing weight so fast dangerous?

I am working my way toward approval from my insurance, so I have already decided that, for me, the benefits of getting rid of about half of myseld outweigh the potential risks. Nevertheless, I notice that there doesn't seem to be much discussion of the dangers of losing so much weight so fast. Some people, I notice, lose about a pound a day! What do the experts say about this? Liver issues? Etc.? Also, how can I minimize the risk? After all, I DO want to lose the weight as fast as I possibly can!    — Patience V. (posted on October 30, 2001)

October 29, 2001
There are many risks, and you can minimize them with your dr.'s help. One of the best known risks is gallstones - this can be dealt with by taking Actigall. But I feel I am basically doing so much better because of having the surgery. I am able to keep to the regimen, I can exercise with greater ease, I feel So much more hopeful about the future. And I am losing quickly, averaging about .75 lb. a day, some days more than others.
   — Marjorie B.

October 29, 2001
Being a fast looser, down 83 pounds in 3 months gallstones have me worried. So I havent been sticking to the low fat diet.... Eat a bit of butter on stuff and regular cheese. It may slow my loss a bit but hopefully the fat will prevent stones. The only troublesome side affect I have had is back pain, and this is common and will go away eventually. But its worth a it considering I am OFF all prescription meds and my blood sugar and blood pressure are now normal. Good affects more than outweigh the bad ones.
   — bob-haller

October 29, 2001
Is rapid weight loss dangerous? If you've tried everything else--and I do mean everything--then a better question might be, "Is staying fat dangerous?"
   — Chuck O.

October 30, 2001
losing weight rapidly combined with small food intake can be dangerous. Multi vitamins can decrease the danger, as will following drs instructions. One of the things to have tested when you have your blood tests is potassium. The biggest thing to remember is there are risks to just about everything, losing weight too quickly, staying fat, yo yoing all has it's own unique dangers. Follow the drs directions. Good luck,
   — Becky K.

October 30, 2001
I don't call loosing 80-100lbs in 12 months fast at all!! That's 12 l o n g months of dedication, it certainly does not seem fast to me.
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
Losing a pound a day isn't dangerous when one is 150 pounds over weight. MO is the real danger.....when I was MO, I was gaining at the rate of 50lbs. a year...had I not had my rny three years ago, I'd be up to 500lbs. now. Gaining weight too fast was my worry...not losing it too fast.
   — [Anonymous]