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Question
Hi, i was wondering - i heard that your metabolism slows down when you starve yourself and throw up after meals, and when you eat again you end up putting on more weight then you had at first, i was wondering if when you start eating again and take a few laxatives a day will that keep the weight off? or how do you keep the weight off when you start eating again? im trying to stop starving and throwing up but i dont want to put on weight again.
Dear Sarah,
It's so difficult to know how to advise you. What is your height and weight right now?
When someone wants to recover, they begin the re-feeding process and initially they feel as if they're bloated and fat. This is mostly fluids and does pass as the weight stabilizes. This can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks -- or more. This is the hard part. What happens after that time, when the body has been given healthy food, the metabolism repairs itself, speeds up, and your weight settles down.
It's definitely not true that you put on more weight than you had before. Taking the laxatives is a really bad idea -- it's a form of bulimia. It doesn't work and can make you feel pretty sick!
See a nutritionist. She can help you with a good meal plan just for you and advise you on appropriate weight changes if that's what you need!
Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Recovery Centers
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
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Answers by Expert:
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Expertise
I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.
Experience
I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.
Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA
Masters in Counseling
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute
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