40 lbs. in 2.5 yrs is too drastic! What?!

dellaquilaa

From what I've seen (which is pretty limited, of course) - doctors tend to lose track of the simple things, like what appropriate weight loss is or how many glasses of milk a toddler should be drinking (really doc, a gallon a day is completely safe?!). Either she wasn't paying attention to you, she misheard you, or she's stupid.

I agree with what everyone else has been saying - find a different doctor. Although it couldn't hurt to see a nutritionist - if your insurance will pay for it, you might as well! It can't do any harm to have someone look at your food diary and go "huh, do you realize you binge when you're ovulating?" or "you're drinking WAY too much diet coke".

::shrug:: not that that...happened to me or anything...

jtannehill75

I agree with everyone.. 40 lbs in 2.5 years is ABSOLUTELY not drastic.. I lost 85 pounds in 11 months.. funny thing is.. when people see me.. they ask if I'm sick or if I have cancer.. I think that's ridiculous!! It goes along with the "eating disorder" comment or the "you have HIV" comment.. its silly.. I'd say, drink more water, make sure you have a lot of iron because you're exercising.. and KEEP GOING!! You're doing great!! :flowerforyou:

amaysngrace

See the cardiologist. Drink water and tea. My daughter passed out once because she locked her knees while standing. If it was the doctor's first time to see you, you may want to switch gp. You are working the weight off and you did it over a long period of time. If you are eating healthy, then don't worry about the rest of the advice. If you feel like you need to see the others, then you know you can get a referral. Good luck.

I use to faint consistently because I would stand too long and lock my knees. I would get really hot, start seeing stars and then fall out. I also fell out a few times when I was in second grade, from swinging too high.

michellechawner

I'm thinking she said it because you already weigh 115, which is low for your height, and wanting to lose another 5 pounds maybe made her think that you have an eating disorder because you are still trying to lose when you are already healthy.

Is 40 lbs in 2.5 years drastic - NO. being 156 for your height isn't too bad, but yes it's larger. you're currently 115, which is a little low for that healthy range. I'm only one inch taller than you and I'm aiming for 120. Unless you are trying to be a body builder is there a particular reason you picked 18%BF? I think that's where the GP's concern came in.

Sqeekyjojo

bahahaha...:laugh: we all have eating disorders to the fatties.....

I beg your pardon?


Or, if I need to make it slightly more understandable for you -

Dafuq?????



OP, your doctor sounds unreasonable, I've lost about that since January (but fully expect the GP to say it isn't enough). However, they could be trying to make sure it isn't becoming an ED, which can happen. So is intended to put your health first.

Obviously, they have to eliminate the ED side, as it would be neglectful to ignore the possibility and could lead to you getting inappropriate medical treatment without that.


Personally, I found out that I'm now very sensitive to caffeine. So that was fairly easily sorted out, and absolutely nothing to do with my weight. I presume this angle has also been covered by the doctor?

ptak1sm

I lost 40 pounds in 5 or 6 months. That amount of weight loss in 2.5 years is not drastic. That being said, at 5'4", 110 pounds does seem a bit low. You're a college student...did you see a doctor at school or did you go to one in your hometown? Do you have a GP at home that you know and trust? Second opinions can't hurt
Good luck and good health!

beekuzz

I've had plenty of new doctor visits with complete morons. Up to 2 lbs per week is acceptable. Most of us would seriously give up if we tried hard losing weight and 40 lbs took 2+ years, but you're on a higher calorie count and you do admit to cheating. I have problems with my blood pressure going too low at times.

Be very careful with your water intake. We need our water to flush out toxins, etc. but it flushes out sodium really well. So when you got the i.v. it's saltwater for your body. That normally stabilizes your BP.

Get away from your new quack quickly so that you have a professional dealing with your specific body chemistry set vs. whatever the hell that dr was refering to.

em3120

Being dehydrated can cause heart palpitations and fainting.

Exactly what the ER doctor told me. Between that and standing with my knees locked, I passed out. I'm definitely going to get checked out by the cardiologist though.

I also should add that this GP just finished her residency last year so she's pretty new!

I'm just a bit ticked that she came to a conclusion so quickly that I have an eating disorder! I eat 1,500 cals per day, not 500!

Millertime_jason

Besides the other medical concerns (which you do need to get checked out)
I have lost 59LBS in 7 months because I had an eating disorder called over eating and not taking care of myself.

I would discuss further with her or seek a second opinion.

AttilaTheHorn

I am a psychiatrist (seriously...I am) and I think you're fine and to be commended on your magnificent efforts.

There...you've seen a psychiatrist. You're fine! No need for any follow up appointments!

On the other hand...tell your GP she needs to see a psychiatrist.

PennStateChick

Yea, I am 5'4" and lost 40 lbs in 6 months. The difference is that I went from 182 to 142. Perhaps it isn't the weight you lost or the time frame, but the fact that you are in the lower end of the healthy BMI that she was/is concerned. I am not suggesting that you have an eating disorder, bc really only you know that. Did you tell her you were continuing the eat 1500ish calories per day? My question really is - did she have all the facts when making these recommendations or was she JUST looking at your goal weight and thinking it was too low?

PS I do realize that the healthy range for 5'4" is 108-145. I am not saying that 110 is out of range. I am just wondering if she thought your commitment to continue to lose at such a low BMI may have made her question how you were doing it if you didn't give her all the details.

Shawshankcan

Sure it was a doctor who told you this and not some guy in a van outside the hospital?

Gwennifer

Losing 40 pounds in 2.5 years is definitely not too drastic! They say that the quickest you should lose weight is 1.5-2 pounds a week.....If you did that for just one year that would be 78-104 lbs.

If you meant 40 pounds in 2.5 months then that could possibly be too fast. 2.5 months is about 10 weeks x 2 pounds a week would be 20 pounds.

But usually when someone first starts a diet they will lose 10-15 pounds the first week and then taper off to 1.5-2 pounds a week. I would say if you lost 20 of the 40 in the first 2 weeks and then lost more slowly in the last 8 weeks it is okay.

Everyones body is different though so you have to know your own body. If you are eating a good amount of calories and exercising and feeling good I think you are fine. If you keep having problems then you need to adjust.

ScouseNerd

I disagree that 40 lbs in 2.5 years is too drastic...but I also believe that was probably not your doctors primary concern. I am not sure what build you are but 110 lbs is definitely on the lower end of a healthy weight for your height and you are already at a perfectly healthy weight and body fat %. If she feels you need to see a psychiatrist and nutritionist then there is obviously a concern more than the time limit and with a risk to your health itself. And not that you are, but if your doc feels that you are too focused or obsessed on getting to this specific weight than she has reason to be concerned as well. Just another view point.

**EDIT to say that I am not agreeing with her or stating that you may have an eating disorder at all. I don't know you and there are a lot of other things not mentioned that would have to be evaluated to know that. Just trying to think of where your doc might be coming from.

I kind of agree here. I'm also 5'4" and I'll never be waif-thin since I've had curves since high school, but when I'm at 140 my body is healthy and I fit into very average sizes. Most girls my height sit around 125 (which is the "ideal" weight but would look skeletal on me) so 110 may be your body protesting, since it's probably always been used to carrying more. But again, if you've always had a very petite frame then toss that whole thing out the window.

nsaglian

Your doctor is very confused! Heart issues besides, you are doing nothing drastic! I have lost 53 lbs in 144 days or 2.6 lbs a week. I have been followed up by GP, Cardiologist, and Ophthalmologist, who all were extremely impressed. Blood tests show positive improvements. Your new GP should be replaced! Make sure you are well hydrated, and follow up with the cardiologist.

kitka82

I also do pilates and some HIIT 6 days per week for about 20 mins per day. Recently I passed out and was brought to the ER with heart palpitations (that had been going off and on for months). Doctor said I had been standing for too long and was mildly dehydrated.

You might be doing HIIT too often. If you're doing true HIIT, up to 90-95% of your max heart rate, you shouldn't do it on consecutive days. Always take a day of rest between. Maybe scale back the HIIT workouts (no more than 3 per week tops), and mix it up with some low to moderate intensity workouts.

em3120

I am a psychiatrist (seriously...I am) and I think you're fine and to be commended on your magnificent efforts.

There...you've seen a psychiatrist. You're fine! No need for any follow up appointments!

On the other hand...tell your GP she needs to see a psychiatrist.

Haha I actually LOL'ed at this. Needless to say, I'm going to a different GP from now on. I'm taking good care of my body and I don't think my goal is too unreasonable considering it is still in the healthy range for my height.

mccbabe1

maybe you look super thin at your wt now and they mean your wt LOSS is drastic.. not the time frame.. shoot im your height and my dream weight is your START weight! lol