Weight & Braces

Message

#1 Post by **Maggi** » Thu May 06, 2010 7:35 am

How many have you lost weight since you had braces. I have lost weight since my braces are on due to restrictions on food and difficulty to chew. I just feel lazy to chew.

#2 Post by **catgyrl** » Thu May 06, 2010 8:44 am

I lost about 4 pounds the first week, but I attribute that to (a) not being able to bit down too well, and (b) being too scared to try solid foods. Once I figured out what I could eat, and how to safely eat it... those 4 pounds came right back. My snacking has still been greatly diminished because I don't want to have to brush my teeth 10 times a day.

#3 Post by **DrBlur** » Thu May 06, 2010 9:11 am

catgyrl wrote:I lost about 4 pounds the first week, but I attribute that to (a) not being able to bit down too well, and (b) being too scared to try solid foods. Once I figured out what I could eat, and how to safely eat it... those 4 pounds came right back. My snacking has still been greatly diminished because I don't want to have to brush my teeth 10 times a day.

This is exactly my story

#4 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Thu May 06, 2010 10:06 am

I have had braces for a little over 7 months, haven't weighed myself recently but within the first 4 months, I lost 20 lbs. I have probably lost an additional 5 pounds since. To me, it doesn't seem like a lot of weight but I am not quite 5'1, so it looks like I have lost 50 lbs and everyone else is shocked when I say it has only been 20 lbs.

Although, I eat healthy and exercise regularly I think with the braces, I was extra careful about what I ate, (nothing really crunchy or hard) plus I brush after I eat, so I cut down on snacking to avoid having to brush often. And of course, those early weeks of sore teeth and the short time after adjustments, sure helps alot!

This is the most expensive diet I have ever been on!

#5 Post by **Bracedmom32** » Thu May 06, 2010 10:54 am

I've had my braces for almost 6 weeks and I've lost 11 pounds...but I also have bite turbos which made it impossible to chew for the first month...I've just begun to be able to chew really soft food like pasta so it will be interesting to see what happens weight wise now...especially after the turbos come off in another 2 months....

#6 Post by **Steph in Sac** » Thu May 06, 2010 1:51 pm

I lost 13 lbs in my first 6 weeks (and thankfully have kept it off). I think it was the combination of not being able to eat much and using it as motivation to curb my diet and exercise. Thankfully, I have a good routine going now. Straight teeth and getting in shape--Woohoo!

#7 Post by **avy** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:44 pm

I havent lost any weight, nor did I lose any when I first got them on. Of course the first few days I could only eat soft foods, and after each adjustment I return to the soft food diet for 2-3 days but I still manage to eat a normal amount. I exercise a fair bit so I cant not eat or snack - otherwise I get way too agitated and cant concentrate

But I've always been a grazer so I cant go from eating 6-8 times a day to not eating much at all.

#8 Post by **catgyrl** » Thu May 06, 2010 6:47 pm

avy wrote:I havent lost any weight, nor did I lose any when I first got them on. Of course the first few days I could only eat soft foods, and after each adjustment I return to the soft food diet for 2-3 days but I still manage to eat a normal amount. I exercise a fair bit so I cant not eat or snack - otherwise I get way too agitated and cant concentrate But I've always been a grazer so I cant go from eating 6-8 times a day to not eating much at all.

Avy - I'm with you with everything you said (well, except for the exercise part. I could definitely do more of that!) But I, too, was a grazer. I suppose the not snacking all day helps somewhat, but if I want it badly enough, I'll just have it with my main meal.

I just had my first adjustment this afternoon... and like my first day with braces, I'm waiting for the pain to set in. I better go eat something now before it does... haha

-Cathy

#9 Post by **fluffybottom** » Thu May 06, 2010 7:13 pm

I lost about 20 lbs over the course of the first year. This had less to do with my braces and more to do with my impacted canine exposure surgery (it was in the roof of my mouth) and the build-up on my teeth to keep me from biting down all the way. This wasn't really a good thing because I was thin to begin with and the weight loss made me look emaciated.

However, once the roof of my mouth healed and my buiuld-up wore down a bit (and eventually were removed), I gained back about 15 of those pounds.

#10 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Thu May 06, 2010 10:24 pm

This not an uncommon scenario where weight is lost while having teeth straightened with braces. I've had a few patients over my career ask me to keep braces on longer so they could lose a few extra pounds. Others have joked around advertising orthodontics and the easiest weight loss program to follow :).

#11 Post by **bookfairy** » Fri May 07, 2010 3:10 am

I thought sheding some weight will be another plus in having braces, but nothing happened for me!

It's because I eat the same as before - am carefull with hard foods, but I make it up in soft ones

YouTube · #12 Post by **retainerjoe** » Fri May 07, 2010 4:38 am

hello , with me just starting orthodontic treatment this time i have lost 5 pounds , with my other round of braces i lost 20 pounds

#13 Post by **Pattyb** » Sat May 08, 2010 9:04 am

I've lost close to 10 pounds in the 3+ months I've had braces.

I never thought in a million years I would be able to resist my favorite treats--candy and cookies, but since I got the braces on I decided to give them up, and I have with no problem (shock!) I hope to be down another 10 by the end of the year.

#14 Post by **cvn** » Sat May 08, 2010 3:37 pm

I pork up like mad with braces/my jaw problems. Clearly the answer to trouble chewing is pasta and cream based soups ahaha

#15 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Sun May 09, 2010 11:18 am

I guess I am the only one who has gained weight. I have gained about 12-15 lbs since putting braces (about 5 months ago). When I first got them, I ate a lot of ice cream. I can eat anything now and don't have any dietary restrictions any more, but I haven't lost the ice cream addiction!!!