Is there long term damage? Can it be reversed?

[glitterbiscuits]

I’ve read various things about people who stop smoking can recover lung function reverse the damage as if they had never smoked etc. Although I find it hard to believe.

We know that being overweight is unhealthy: a strain on joints, on the heart etc
There is a possibility Type 2 diabetes can improve or even go into remission with weight loss

But if someone’s overweight or obese and they lose weight are there any long term effects? Stretch marks won’t disappear but what else has gone wrong forever?

[Gingernaut]

Loose skin. There can be masses of loose skin meaning someone has lost all the excess they can, but without surgery, they are stuck looking like deflated balloons.

[glitterbiscuits]

I suppose at least saggy skin is cosmetic.

[humanfemale]

There is absolutely masses of scientific evidence that following a whole food, plant-based diet can reverse type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related disease.

Forks Over Knives on Netflix is worth a watch. And their Facebook is good too.

[glitterbiscuits]

I was thinking of if internal organs could recover. Or joints heal? I don’t ever remember reading about the after effects of weight loss. Lose weight and feel better. But that can’t wipe the slate clean can it?

[Gingernaut]

Taking the strain off the joints and easing the symptoms of arthritis is one of the benefits.

The damage to the liver, kidneys and circulatory system won't recover completely, though. It will simply stop getting worse.

[sparechange]

Livers regenerate pretty quickly, arteries clear and hearts get stronger

There is a growing body of evidence to say metabolic damage is permanent though.

I’ll see if I can find the study, but basically, a woman who has been a healthy weight their entire life can maintain a weight of 10 stone by eating 2000 calories a day
Where as a woman of the same height and build who has been obese will only need 1400 calories to maintain a weight of 10 stone
(Numbers rounded up to explain the concept btw)

[sparechange]

Here is a good summary of the damage you do to your metabolic system from being overweight:
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html

[wizzywig]

human I've just started watching that. Its fascinating