Rapid weight loss and extra skin - Crohn's Disease

amrluvarr
amrluvarr Posts: 52 Member
edited November 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
I have about 100 lbs to lose and while I'm happy with the loss I'm not actually trying to lose weight that quickly (I've lost 35 lbs so far ~3-4 lbs per week). I have crohn's disease and I am on the Autoimmune Paleo diet to try and get the disease in remission. My GI doc knows that I'm on the diet and is following me closely. The diet is super restrictive so I know that is contributing to my fast weight loss. It can be hard to get in calories. I do track what I eat but its in a notebook that will be reviewed with my doctor. I struggle to make it to 1200 - 1400 calories in a day. The crohn's flare which causes loss of appetite isn't helping. I'm just curious about the extra skin. I've been overweight most of my life and I have to be very careful with strength training and exercise in general. I try to get about 30 minutes in of light work (walking, lifting small weights, few crunches). Anymore then that and it contributes to my stomach pain. My ultimate goal right now is to heal my body but I'm so worried about the extra skin! Thoughts? It seems that I'm going against all advice but I don't have much choice at the moment. Thanks for the help in advance!

Replies

  • alyssa0061
    alyssa0061 Posts: 652 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Gaining weight and stretching out your skin, not fast weight loss, causes loose skin. Aside from getting in a time machine and going back to before you became overweight and then not gaining the weight, there is nothing you can do to prevent loose skin. At this point, the damage is done and if you're going to have loose skin, there is nothing outside of surgery that will change that.

    I wish I could more than "awesome" this. In fact, I may just save it so that I can quote it whenever the need arises (which is often).
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I had loose skin from having very large babies and my skin never recovered.
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    edited November 2016
    What advice are you going against? I would be more worried about your Crohn's flare (which can be life threatening) over the loose skin issue. The foods allowed in the AIP diet are not recommended for someone who is flaring.
  • amrluvarr
    amrluvarr Posts: 52 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    What advice are you going against? I would be more worried about your Crohn's flare (which can be life threatening) over the loose skin issue. The foods allowed in the AIP diet are not recommended for someone who is flaring.

    I guess advice isn't the right word but research and my trainer (which I dropped once I hit the flare). I've never read that AIP is not recommended for someone in a flare. I researched the diet for at least 6 months and talked it over with my GI and primary care doctor and they both supported my decision to start the diet. I had already done a round with steroids on top of my biologic and couldn't get out the flare. It eliminates most trigger foods for me. Based on symptoms I'm heading out of the flare but I won't know for sure until January which is my next colonoscopy. I'm trying to start exercising again but it causes my stomach to cramp if I go too far and that's why I was asking about exercise and lose skin. I won't be able to exercise heavily until I get the okay from the doctor and know that the flare has finally cleared.

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    If you are on a biologic and still flaring are you sure it is working? Have they done antibodies to make sure you aren't rejecting the biologic? I'm a GI PA and typically my patients who have any inflammation to the colon/small bowel I would recommend a low residue diet while flaring then once symptoms improve resume a normal diet. Most of my IBD patients who are severe I recommend they avoid red meat since this is a common trigger. It just doesn't make since to stress an already stressed out GI track with high roughage foods and protein.
  • amrluvarr
    amrluvarr Posts: 52 Member
    I will have to look up the low residue diet. As of this week I have cut back on red meat and I have always avoided all leafy greens and hard to digest veggies. The only fruit & veggies I have been able to really tolerate are cooked carrots, zuccini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe, cooked apples and bananas. So I basically live off of that list plus fish or chicken. I was looking for more of an elimination diet that is why I started AIP. It's be rough to find things to eat!

    He did test for antibodies and they came back fine (frustrating). He seems to think the flare is stress related. I have been on humira for a year without any flares and then one came out of nowhere. My job did get stressful this year so it's possible. If colonoscopy comes back poor then he said we will discuss switching to remicade. In June my inflammation was 208 (based on stool test) it's down to 78 now - so I'm finally board line but as he said not out of the woods and we won't know for sure until colonoscopy.

    I do tend to get stressed easily (perfect example...lose skin should not be on mind at the moment) do you find it causes flares?
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    Cimzia and Stelara may also be options if you are not doing well with Humira. Stress can be a trigger for flares (as you know). Hope you can get over this flare soon. I'm sure that is not helping with your stress. For now I would focus on eating healthy foods that will also help to manage your Crohn's. AIP seems very restrictive and calorie deficits are what cause weight loss. Also if you have been taking steroids you know this can cause weight gain. Best of luck to you!
  • amrluvarr
    amrluvarr Posts: 52 Member
    Thank you for the help today! It seems I have some more research to do and an ever growing list of questions for my doctor!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    amrluvarr wrote: »
    I do tend to get stressed easily (perfect example...lose skin should not be on mind at the moment) do you find it causes flares?

    Yes! It sounds like @cathipa is helping out with info on the Crohn's but I just want to say that worrying about loose skin shouldn't even cross your mind. There's too much other stuff to think about when it comes to weight loss to be spending time worrying about things you can't change :) You seem like a smart cookie who is on top of her health, even if you're going through a rough spot. You will do well. Best of luck to you!

  • amrluvarr
    amrluvarr Posts: 52 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    amrluvarr wrote: »
    I do tend to get stressed easily (perfect example...lose skin should not be on mind at the moment) do you find it causes flares?

    Yes! It sounds like @cathipa is helping out with info on the Crohn's but I just want to say that worrying about loose skin shouldn't even cross your mind. There's too much other stuff to think about when it comes to weight loss to be spending time worrying about things you can't change :) You seem like a smart cookie who is on top of her health, even if you're going through a rough spot. You will do well. Best of luck to you!

    Thanks! Your first post made me have an "ah-ha" moment! I'm learning to love my body regardless of disease or extra skin. I will not let another thought about loose skin take away from all the work I'm doing to get my health back!
  • Ming1951
    Ming1951 Posts: 514 Member
    just wanted to wish you good luck on your journey, and yes don't worry about loose skin. I'm still waiting for mine to show which will mean much of my fat is gone. It will be my badge of courage!
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I am a crohnie and eat low residue. Going through a bit of a flare from stress but overall I'm decently stable on remicade

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