Expert: Joanne - 4/19/2007

Question
hi Holly my ? is I have had bulimia for six years and I've maintained my weight at 133 for the past six years i'm 5'1 but for the past five months i've gained eight pounds I'm worried because i've been throwing up the only thing that i've changed is that I've been waiting longer after i eat to vomit like maybe an hour is that the reason for this weight gain? I used to throw up right after i'd eat does food digest that fast like in one hour?

Answer
Yes, your body most likely will have started absorbing some of what you have eaten by that time, but please don't despair!  You have to look at this as a step in the right direction!  Prolonging the time between eating and purging will hopefully in the future make you realise that there is no point in purging!

Please don't think that I'm being horrible when I say this, and I would hate to think that you begin purging the minute after eating again now either!  

You realise that you have a problem, and that is the first step!  Now it is a matter or admitting to having a problem to a medical professional that can help you and send you in the right direction!

If you have any thing else you would like to ask, or just need someone to chat to, please feel free to get back in touch!

All the best
Holly