![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 2:56:57
Why is it that when I gain weight it lands on my stomach. I don't understand why and I DON'T LIKE IT!
I don't even know why I am gaining weight in the first place!!!!Maxime
Posted by Augustina on March 5, 2005, at 11:50:53
In reply to Why does the extra weight go to the stomach????, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 2:56:57
Hi Maxime,
a lot of it has to do with genetics, unfortunately. I tend to put weight on in my thighs :(
Posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 12:27:31
In reply to Re: Why does the extra weight go to the stomach???? » Maxime, posted by Augustina on March 5, 2005, at 11:50:53
Hi. Well that is the strange thing. I am pear shaped. Always have been. Yet when I have gained weight from refeeding it goes on my stomach. It's most unpleasant. I hate it.
Maxime
Posted by Slinky on March 6, 2005, at 20:41:17
In reply to Re: Why does the extra weight go to the stomach???, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 12:27:31
I heard somewhere..that if you eat late in the day/at night it puts more weight on the stomach..
Posted by Racer on March 6, 2005, at 21:47:45
In reply to Why does the extra weight go to the stomach????, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 2:56:57
Maxime, you're suffering from one aspect of refeeding syndrome -- all your weight is hitting you in your midsection, you're not imagining it, it isn't permanent, and you're not alone. I looked about seven months pregnant during my first few weeks of weight gain! Now I'm down to looking about five months along ;-D Yeah, it's hellish, no two ways about it.
First of all, it's mostly water retention, as your tissues rehydrate. That will ebb and flow over the first few weeks or months. The rest of it has to do with biological anti-starvation tactics: now that your body is getting some nutrients, it's first using them to repair any and all organ damage your starvation has caused, and then building up a reserve of fat that it can use when the next famine strikes. That fat is going to be on your belly, and you won't like it, but it will redistribute itself without you doing much of anything about it once your condition stabilizes. That can take six to twelve months, but it will take even longer if you fluctuate too much in going from restricting to eating to restricting. The more consistent you are in working towards recovery, the more quickly that belly will go away.
I'm passing on what my nutritional counselor has been telling me. It's all hellish, no doubt about it, and I don't think I'd still be working towards recovery at all without nutritional counseling. It doesn't sound as though you've been getting any treatment in this area, though, which is too bad. What sort of treatment are you getting right now? Can you ask to be referred to a dietitian? I promise it can be incredible helpful, especially as weird things start happening to your body.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Maxime on March 7, 2005, at 15:00:52
In reply to Two separate phenomenon here folks!, posted by Racer on March 6, 2005, at 21:47:45
Thanks Racer. Well I am not getting any treatment mainly because I am not ready for recovery. However because I restrict so heavily, when I do eat I gain weight quickly and it goes right to my belly. Which in turn makes me want to restrict even more.
I do not look anorexic and so my doctor does not "see" a problem. I have told him that I try to consumes only 500 calories a day so I am not trying to hide my behaviour. I don't think he believes me because I am not underweight right now. He should know better of course.
I am also hypothroid which doesn't help with my metabolism (although I do take synthroid and see an endocrinologist).
I am not trying to refeed. It's just that if I go over 500 calories my body thinks am I.
What a mess I have created. I hate myself so much.
Maxime
> Maxime, you're suffering from one aspect of refeeding syndrome -- all your weight is hitting you in your midsection, you're not imagining it, it isn't permanent, and you're not alone. I looked about seven months pregnant during my first few weeks of weight gain! Now I'm down to looking about five months along ;-D Yeah, it's hellish, no two ways about it.
>
> First of all, it's mostly water retention, as your tissues rehydrate. That will ebb and flow over the first few weeks or months. The rest of it has to do with biological anti-starvation tactics: now that your body is getting some nutrients, it's first using them to repair any and all organ damage your starvation has caused, and then building up a reserve of fat that it can use when the next famine strikes. That fat is going to be on your belly, and you won't like it, but it will redistribute itself without you doing much of anything about it once your condition stabilizes. That can take six to twelve months, but it will take even longer if you fluctuate too much in going from restricting to eating to restricting. The more consistent you are in working towards recovery, the more quickly that belly will go away.
>
> I'm passing on what my nutritional counselor has been telling me. It's all hellish, no doubt about it, and I don't think I'd still be working towards recovery at all without nutritional counseling. It doesn't sound as though you've been getting any treatment in this area, though, which is too bad. What sort of treatment are you getting right now? Can you ask to be referred to a dietitian? I promise it can be incredible helpful, especially as weird things start happening to your body.
>
> Hope that helps.
Posted by Racer on March 8, 2005, at 15:42:05
In reply to Re: Two separate phenomenon here folks!, posted by Maxime on March 7, 2005, at 15:00:52
Why aren't you trying to recover?
(Yeah, I know, it looks so simple put that way, doesn't it?)
The only way to avoid that huge cycle of fat hitting your belly is to eat consistently. At least, that's what my N says, and I have to say that I believe her -- no matter how much I hate the whole thing.
Posted by Augustina on March 8, 2005, at 18:25:26
In reply to Re: Two separate phenomenon here folks!, posted by Maxime on March 7, 2005, at 15:00:52
Hi Maxime,
I was just wondering, is your doctor a psychiatrist? are you also seeing a therapist currently? I hope I'm not being too nosy but your last post had me concerned about you. I'm dealing with my own inner conflict too...do I truly want to recover or do I want to continue with this downward spiral of restricting, dieting, compulsive exercising, feeling guilty, etc...
Please take good care of yourself and let me know how you're doing.
-A.
Posted by Maxime on March 10, 2005, at 1:35:20
In reply to Just one question: » Maxime, posted by Racer on March 8, 2005, at 15:42:05
I need my ED right now. I need it more than ever. I am hoping it will bring me peace.
Maxime
> Why aren't you trying to recover?
>
> (Yeah, I know, it looks so simple put that way, doesn't it?)
>
> The only way to avoid that huge cycle of fat hitting your belly is to eat consistently. At least, that's what my N says, and I have to say that I believe her -- no matter how much I hate the whole thing.
Posted by Maxime on March 10, 2005, at 1:41:55
In reply to Re: Two separate phenomenon here folks! » Maxime, posted by Augustina on March 8, 2005, at 18:25:26
Yes, I see a psychiatrist. I am very upfront about my ED with him which I know is uncommon. But I don't play games anymore with doctors. However, I don't think he believes me. He has never seen me at a low and emaciated weight. Maybe he thinks I am exagerating. Maybe he doesn't know anything about EDs. Maybe is so focused on my depression and suicidal ideation that he not bringing up my ED.
I think I want to continue down this path so that I self destruct. I think that seems to be my ultimate goal. I would rather die from an ED than suicide. Although they are one in the same, but "outsiders" don't know that.
I am exhausted now but I will try to post more tomorrow.
You take care of yourself too, okay?
Maxime
> Hi Maxime,
>
> I was just wondering, is your doctor a psychiatrist? are you also seeing a therapist currently? I hope I'm not being too nosy but your last post had me concerned about you. I'm dealing with my own inner conflict too...do I truly want to recover or do I want to continue with this downward spiral of restricting, dieting, compulsive exercising, feeling guilty, etc...
>
> Please take good care of yourself and let me know how you're doing.
> -A.
Posted by Racer on March 11, 2005, at 1:03:24
In reply to Re: Two separate phenomenon here folks! » Augustina, posted by Maxime on March 10, 2005, at 1:41:55
Are you getting treatment for your depression? If so, what sort of treatment? The ED will interfere with it, you know.
As for your doctor, it does sound as though there's a problem if you're telling him about what's going on and he's not concerned. (This is a sore spot for me, by the way. Too long to get into, but I believe in using cattle prods to augment behavioral training for drs who don't recognize or take seriously eating disorders.)
Can you ask him why he's not concerned about your ED?
Posted by Maxime on March 12, 2005, at 15:55:09
In reply to But... » Maxime, posted by Racer on March 11, 2005, at 1:03:24
I am actually bipolar Type 2. I take mood stabilisers (Trileptal and Clonazapam). I have been on over 40 meds. I am treatment-resistent. I am not on an AD right now because we have run out of options. I am trying to get into the Deep Brain Stimulation study in Toronto.
I also have had a lot of cognitive behavioural therapy although I am not in therapy right now. I should be, but I can't afford it. I am on waiting lists to see someone who uses a slidding fee scale.
I have the lowest self esteem of anyone I know.
I think that if I asked my pdoc why he wasn't "concerned" about my ED or if he is concerned, I suspect his answer would be that he is more worried about my suicidal tendencies right now. Or maybe he would say that he doesn't have much experience in treating EDs. I wish I could work up the nerve to ask him. But right now, I am also concerned with desire to die.
Thanks for caring Racer. :)
MaximePS. I know that my ED can cause depression and interfere with treatment.
> Are you getting treatment for your depression? If so, what sort of treatment? The ED will interfere with it, you know.
>
> As for your doctor, it does sound as though there's a problem if you're telling him about what's going on and he's not concerned. (This is a sore spot for me, by the way. Too long to get into, but I believe in using cattle prods to augment behavioral training for drs who don't recognize or take seriously eating disorders.)
>
> Can you ask him why he's not concerned about your ED?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Eating | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.