Expert: Nafeesah - 4/25/2009

Question
I'm 23 and dealing with anorexia and bulimia. I generally have one or two, maybe three, binges in a day, followed by self-induced vomiting, and I only consume water between my binges. Sometimes I'll go 24 hours between binges (fasting, I guess, since I'm too afraid to keep put anything in my stomach and keep it down). Anyway, I'm 5'3 and 98 lbs., and I'll be receiving inpatient treatment soon. How many calories should I expect to consume each day in the hospital, and how much weight will I have to put on in order to be healthy enough to be discharged? If I go into treatment at a healthy weight (say, 108 lbs.) and I am well-behaved and do everything that I am supposed to do, will my stay be noticeably shorter? Thank you so much for your time and expertise - I really appreciate any insight that you can offer!

Answer
As far as calorie consumption that's up to the clinic/treatment program dietician since they construct treatment plans unique to your situation.You have to be at a healthy weight for your height and only a dietician and doctor can determine that while you're in treatment. I will say this you will have to eat(anorexics are watched) and because you're bulimic you will more likely be watched when you're in the bathroom so you're not making yourself vomit. Your stay in treatment depends on how your recovery turns out and that's also up to a doctor to determine that.