Expert: Joanne - 6/28/2007

Question
Hi Holly,

I have suffered from 3 months of bulimia.  I stopped about a month ago, but have not been able to stop the binge eating yet.

I have seen some frightening changes in this relatively short period of time and am wondering if some can be reversed or will return to normal with time.

Scaly skin? (skin now looks like a 40 year old instead of a 28 year old)

Hair loss (noticeably thinner--will it regrow to look like it did only about 5 months ago? (before disorder))

Spider veins and bulging looking veins/visible veins (all over body, not just legs)--I think the binging has overloaded my system.  I know after pregnancy, these can subside--so that is what I'm hoping.

Teeth--I think they are ok, but I do notice they've actually started turning inward like an old person's do and my gums have deteriorated--my teeth were never sensitive to cold, now they are.  And I have spaces between teeth instead of the gum coming down between them. (looks again like an old person)

Loose, strechy weird skin

Also, my baoobs and butt have really sort of shrunk/sunk. I've lost a lot of my good curves, while accumulating rolls of fat/cellulite everywhere else.

This is all very scary and sad--I feel like I've aged myself 20 years. I'd like to start looking forward and feel happy but it's very hard if I know that these things can't turn back to normal.

Answer
Most of this can be reversed in time providing you follow a balanced diet now!
Scaly skin and thin hair will be due to dehydration and a lack of the correct nutrients - these can be reversed, but it may take some time!

The veins may disappear as you said, but be aware that these can also be linked to underlying problems, but things such as hormonal imbalances can cause these which should sort itself out with a normal diet - but I do recommend checking that there is nothing underlying causing all any of your other symptoms as well!

Your teeth will most likely be more of a problem.  You will have probably caused some erosion of the enamel.  I would recommend visiting your dentist about this.  The gums may repair themselves, but with bulimia, you teeth are usually the worst affected!

Your boobs and but shoulsd fill out in time, but this may require some weight gain! The fat and cellulite will possibly just be accumulating while the body is building itself back up.  In time, this should stop!

I would still recommend vising a Dr in order to make sure that you have not caused any lasting damage.  Be honest with them about your behaviours and see what they say.  You may be happy enough to leave things if you feel that you do honestly now have this under control, but they may be able to recommend working through this with someone!

Please feel free to get back in touch if you have any more questions!

I wish you all the best of luck!
Holly x