I can't believe how amazing this forum is. Everytime, no matter what stage of suffering you are going through, there is always someone who relates to your problems and makes you feel you are not alone! In this case owowow's post made me go..."yes me too!".
I too have lost significant weight due to the diet changes in dealing with AF for 1.5 yrs. It didn't seem like a major concern in the first few months but the weight just keeps going down. I consulted my doc last week and he has suggested I go back to my normal diet and watch my weight. It should at least stabilize and not decrease further.
Yes, the people around you stress you out with the 'concern' over your weight and health. Surely something we can do without!!

I'm going to chime in again.  OK, I am on the overweight side, so maybe I'm jealous, but I also know you can eat more than you think because I've been there!  I lost 20 lbs over about four months of dealing with the AF.  It's better than gastric bypass surgery or whatever it's called!  I know what it is like to be afraid of eating....because it comes out the other end eventually.  I'm encouraging you skinny folks to use common sense!  I also know that I have continued to heal despite eating a pretty normal diet.  Keeping up soluble/insoluble fiber, water, protein and healthy oils has been part of it.  Don't use this as an excuse to not eat!  This isn't a sprint (for most of us) it's a marathon!  Eat accordingly.

JPT- what's a "pretty normal diet" for you? I feel like I have a pretty normal diet as well excluding burgers, pizza, and most dairy except eggs and lactose free yogurt and cottage cheese. I eat alot of nut butters, oils, chicken, sea food, whole meal, veggies, fruit, proteins and am still losing so much weight.

Wow, you have some nice foods in there!  You mention 'whole meal' so does that include carbohydrates?  I eat high fiber bread (great with nut butters!), oatmeal (add in nuts or dried fruit for variety), brown rice, grains like a quinoa blend along with eggs, meats (mostly chicken, fish), tofu, various fruits and veggies (raw and cooked).  I gave up cheese for a while but have added some back in.  Your diet looks pretty varied to me (not a nutritionist!) but maybe you just need to up the amounts?   I just know that fear was a big factor for me, keeping me from eating much.  I was happy to lose the weight....but this is a heck of a way to diet!!  Wishing you health and wellness!:)

Hi Owowow,
I too had this weight issue! I went from 9 stone down to 7stone! Yikes! None of my clothes fitted me, and I looked awful,bones jutting out... I am slowly gaining weight now, I found that taking Build up drinks helped. I have totally overhauled my diet because of my IBS which caused the damn Fissures! I am on the FODMAP plan. It has changed my life! Now it is a healthy diet, no processed food, no junk, all cooking from scratch. So I was scared I would lose more weight... But I haven't! I am back up to 8 stone and working on getting back to nine. I just got into a vile vicious circle of pain, no food, scared of pain... You know how it goes! Do you have IBS? I do get good fats from Olive oil,Peanut Butter,lacto Free ice cream. Good luck, I hope you can gain the weight back! Xx
My BMI was 20, then it went down to 18! 18 is the lowest it should be. Any lower is classed as underweight.

I think we all went through this weight issue, When I was in the hospital for another issue,which brought on the fissure, I lost 15 pound's then I continued to go down three sizes.
Mind you at 5 foot 2 inches, I was ,was 187 pound's..ouch, I'm now 135 pound's and holding, by increasing my soluble and many small meal's through out the day combined with insoluble and sardines and salmon plus good fat's like coconut, olive oil and peanut butter..no sugar or salt, natural, oh yes avocados.
good luck:) 

Rachael 1984 wrote:Hi Owowow,
I too had this weight issue! I went from 9 stone down to 7stone! Yikes! None of my clothes fitted me, and I looked awful,bones jutting out... I am slowly gaining weight now, I found that taking Build up drinks helped. I have totally overhauled my diet because of my IBS which caused the damn Fissures! I am on the FODMAP plan. It has changed my life! Now it is a healthy diet, no processed food, no junk, all cooking from scratch. So I was scared I would lose more weight... But I haven't! I am back up to 8 stone and working on getting back to nine. I just got into a vile vicious circle of pain, no food, scared of pain... You know how it goes! Do you have IBS? I do get good fats from Olive oil,Peanut Butter,lacto Free ice cream. Good luck, I hope you can gain the weight back! Xx
My BMI was 20, then it went down to 18! 18 is the lowest it should be. Any lower is classed as underweight.

Hi Rachael - thanks for that. I don't think I have IBS. I've not been diagnosed with it and I have no real symptoms other than the chronic fissures. But the FODMAP plan looks interesting regardless. From the brief research I've done it looks like it could be very useful in providing a structured fissure friendly diet.
How did you go about implementing the FODMAP plan? Do you have a dietician? Or any books or other resources you can recommend?
thanksagain
ow(owow)

Hi OW,
I am under a dietician, I asked to be referred by my GP, as the IBS was so bad, I needed to do it! I have had 2 sessions and have my 3rd visit in Sept. I am on re- introduction stage now, although I am scared to re-introduce, as I am feeling great. I need to though, so I know exactly what my triggers are, so I can avoid them for good. I am never eating wheat again, I digest wheat and gluten free products so much better! A good website I found, is my clean plate.com and there is a FODMAP app with lots of recipes. It might be a good way to go, as I have had great improvement with my IBS and Fissures since doing the plan. I also take magnesium and 1 Movicol a day. I had Botox back in April, so I am praying that I can heal fully soon! 
How many Fissures do you have?

Hi Rachael
feels like to two fissures to me.  one on each side.  one much worse than the other.  but i'm not entirely sure.  i've never looked (far too squeamish to want to see what's going on down there)  and the specialist i have been referred to is kind of vague on the subject.  don't get me started on that one.  i'm not a big fan of my consultant!
but the good news is that my last three days have been PAIN FREE!  I can barely believe it.  I've been suffering with fissuers for probably four or five years now and the latest has taken nearly a year to heal.  So I am determined never to go through this again even if it means I can never eat another Big Mac in my life.
i'm taking movicol too.  two a day at the minute.  i want to start reducing that if possible cos a) i suspect it can't be good for me and b) i'm wondering if it is contributing to the weight loss.  
i  looked at mycleanplate.com  but the website seemed to be down.  is that definitely the correct web address?  i was contemplating asking my gp if i could get a dietician referral.  not sure if he will go for it but i think i will try him.  I like my gp - he is a lovely fella :)
how long have you had fissures for?

Hi OW, yes I suspect the movicol keeps the weight down. My GP told me it is safe to take long term. Although I want to come off it at some point.... I have had the Fissures almost a year. Started all with Hems, then Fissures. Try for the referral, it will only help you.
http://mycleanplate.wordpress.com/category/gluten-free/ here is the link for the Fodmap. You can follow her on Facebook and twitter too. Good luck with the doc, let me know how you get on?! Are you in the UK?