Shrinking - in height

 Is it true that you can shrink after this diet?  Or is it because we get smaller in weight we just look shorter?  My family thinks I'm getting short... I've been 5'5" and at the hospital I measured 5'5".

SO... is it because I look smaller due to weight loss?  or is that a side effect of like muscle loss?

Enquiring minds would like to know... 

Great question.  I read a post of someone who actually un shrunk due to gravity having less mass to pull down on.  Have you measured yourself recently to find out if its not just their eyes playing tricks?

Are you getting plenty of protein and calcium, and are you exercising?

Losing significant muscle and bone is not a necessary side effect of this. I lost less than 10 lbs lean mass of the 147.6 lbs I've lost so far. But it does take high protein, calcium and exercise.

I haven't shrunk - just the opposite. I got back an inch I had lost over the years (due to my posture or the weight weighing my spine down or both, who knows). In an informal survey from a post on this a couple days ago, regaining lost inches is not common but not rare - I found 4 other people who had done so.

If you've lost significant height, that's reason for concern.

 Great thoughts.  Protein 70-100 daily; calcium 1000 daily.  Exercising - walking 3 miles 4 times a week.  Need to increase that, but it's a good start for me.

I go to the dr next Thurs and will have my height checked...

Usually we all lose height as we get older, but generally when we are in the 60's and above or if you suffer from bone debilitating issues like osteoperosis or something. Our limbs usually stay the same length, the height difference occurs in the spine. I think when we are heavier, especially in the super morbidly obese category, we give a larger than life appearance. Some people who lose weight look shorter but most look taller because their posture improves. I would just have someone measure my height to see if there is legitimate height loss or if it is just an optical illusion. Good luck!

Well I cant speak for everyone but I can tell u that I have officially lost 3/4 of an inch so far. Im down 60 lbs from surgery on Oct 19, 2011.. and my doctor did warn me that I wld loose some height. He says when we are so over weight that we are artificially taller due to the fat build up between our spine disks.. Ok well it kinda stinks yet isnt that what platforms are for...LOL.. its so worth it though.. Good luck

I've lost half an inch, as that now makes me 5ft even I am not particularly impressed...but wouldn't trade it back for the weight.

Someone told me the fat pads in our feet make us look taller when we sit and stand. Maybe as we lose the fat in our feet we do get shorter. Best, Sharon

I was just thinking - sound like you had fat heels, lol!

LOL, I am 5'6 and have been since 6th grade it has never changed....so I really don't know