What to say – and what not to say – to friends, or colleagues having IVF
Kerry Downes: 'There are comments that boost … and others that can sting.' Photograph: Bec Hudson Smith
It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who has shared that this is their path to potential parenthood – the outcome possibly exciting, possibly heartbreaking. From my experience of that challenging time, there are comments that can boost and others that, however well intentioned, can sting.
Despite having been on the rollercoaster myself, I have still walked away from conversations with friends regretting my choice of words. I think openness is always the best option; if something slips out that your brain later berates you for, then be honest and share your regret. The self-reflection shows that you care how your words are being received, and that you are trying, which is all that can be asked. Otherwise, this would be my advice:
What not to say
Oh, you're not drinking?
The question may seem innocuous, but it is often accompanied by a raised eyebrow, a smug smile or, God forbid, a wink. Most people do not drink alcohol during fertility treatment and acting as if you have just guessed their pregnancy secret will only highlight how upsettingly untrue this is.
Kerry Downes: 'I had people clapping with excitement and even congratulating me for starting the process.' Photograph: Bec Hudson Smith
Children are overrated anyway
The only person allowed to say this is your fabulous child-free-by-choice friend who drinks champagne in sequined outfits while browsing art galleries each weekend, and genuinely doesn't understand all the fuss. Mothers of three who later that day post gushing photos of their children on Instagram should categorically not say this.
Why don't you just adopt?
Adoption is an incredible thing to do, but it is a very different route to having a family, and a complex process to navigate. When my second cycle of IVF failed, I stayed up drinking red wine and scrolling Instagram for adoption stories through intermittent bouts of tears; they brought me much more comfort than the 1.1m IVF success hashtags. But this was in the private world of my phone; if a friend had suggested I 'just adopt', I would have taken it to mean they thought my pursuit of fertility treatment was foolish and futile. Most people going through IVF will have thoroughly considered all routes to parenthood and suggesting they adopt is unlikely to be enlightening. Rather, it comes across as unsupportive.
Who has the issue, then, you or him?
I won't gratify this with an explanation, but yes, people honestly ask this.
How exciting!
This is a difficult one. It is entirely reasonable to feel excited by the thought of your friend becoming pregnant but, for reasons of self-preservation, they will probably be approaching the process cautiously. On average, only 31% of embryo transfers are successful, so there is a careful balance to be had in terms of positive thinking and cautious restraint. I had people clapping with excitement and even congratulating me for starting the process, then telling me I shouldn't think that way if I reminded them of the potential for failure. This sort of toxic positivity left me feeling distanced from the friends who didn't seem to understand my hesitancy towards hope.
Well, you never know! Any holidays coming up?
Everyone has heard of a couple who had eight rounds of IVF then magically got knocked up on holiday because they 'just relaxed!' This phrase has become so reviled by those trying to conceive that the Big Fat Negative Podcast now sells T-shirts emblazoned with the words. There are myriad reasons why people cannot conceive, and suggesting that lying on a beach might assuage their neuroticism is unlikely to go down well.
Read More Gradey Dick ready to earn starters role on Raptors
Did you find the donor online? Like shopping! Is there a photo? What nationality are they?
Some people going through IVF will use donors, and obviously all same-sex couples will. I asked two of my gay friends for their input when writing this article; I wanted to know if things had landed in the same way – perhaps approaching IVF without years of disappointment already stacked up meant that it really was exciting. But their views reflected my own, with an additional gripe of being asked inappropriately intimate questions about the donors. People are seemingly obsessed with the donor's looks and nationality, asked outright which partner's egg/sperm was being used, and frequently referred to the donors as the mother or father. These are extremely intrusive questions and not appropriate for casual pub conversations with a friend you see once a year.
What to say
I'm sorry you're having to go through this
Reserved for heterosexual couples where there is obviously a more fun route to the end goal, sometimes a simple acknowledgment that it is not an ideal situation is all that's needed. Just ensure you don't slide from empathetic into dramatic pity. I've seen that face and all it does is scream: 'Oh wow, your life sucks!'
I'm here for you if there's anything you need
It might be offering fridge space to make room for their extensive stash of medication, driving them to a clinic appointment, or posting Hobnobs through the letterbox on a day when they are not up for company. Reminding friends that you are there and ready to show up goes further than you think.
Kerry Downes: 'Caring from a distance can feel less confronting and more powerful.' Photograph: Bec Hudson Smith
I don't really know much about it
Read the room on this one: if someone is telling you through tears that they are starting IVF, then now is not the time for a science lesson – go and do some background reading instead. But I didn't expect friends to know the ins and outs of the process and always appreciated their honesty in telling me so.
I'll get this
There is no getting away from it: IVF is expensive. NHS funding varies considerably across the UK: the latest figures show that only 24% of cycles in England were NHS-funded, whereas 58% were in Scotland. A single cycle costs about £5,000, and most people will require multiple. People take on second jobs and remortgage their houses to fund treatment. It can be incredibly stressful, so don't make them feel bad if they skip that absurdly priced hen do or suggest dinner at a place with buy one, get one free burgers. Paying the bill for their beetroot smoothie might feel like a drop in the ocean, but it is a kindness that will be noted.
Nothing
My best friend left a bottle of non-alcoholic wine on our kitchen table with a hand-drawn card of a pineapple, the words 'still 'ere ' carefully inked beneath. A colleague put a card in my tray after I asked my manager to let her know I was starting treatment. We never talked about it, but I read her kind words again and again. When I mentioned that the hormones were making me feel exceptionally blue, my schoolfriends, hundreds of miles away, banded together and sent flowers. Sometimes, caring from a distance can feel less confronting and more powerful.
I know someone else going through it, if you ever wanted to talk
Many people don't know anyone else going through IVF, so if you can connect two willing people, then do. There is a whole sisterhood of big-hearted, needle-wielding warriors out there and, while comparisons can feel dangerous (how many eggs, what grade of embryos etc), with some care and boundary-setting, these obstacles can be navigated and the benefits reaped. My sister-in-law ended up going through three rounds at a similar time to me. We messaged regularly, about optimal needle insertion angles or the pros of nettle tea, or how we weren't sure how many times we could do this. She was the first person I told when I got two blue lines, even before my husband. Our sons were born two weeks apart.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
11 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Forget gym machines — study shows this type of exercise is the most effective at building strength, muscle and power
It's not all about making your workouts look fancy or slick for Instagram, particularly if you're a beginner; research shows that there's a type of exercise that trumps most, and it's really simple: functional training. Functional workouts use movement patterns that translate to your everyday life and tasks, like squatting, throwing, lunging, crawling, or even jumping. Recruiting and coordinating multiple muscle groups and joints together and moving in natural, even primal, ways helps reduce injury risk, keep bones and muscles strong, and build muscle, power and endurance. Here's why functional training could be the key that unlocks your full potential in the gym, and how to get started. There's a bunch of research on functional workouts, but I like to refer to this systematic review published in Frontiers, which looks at multiple components of fitness for athletes. Of over 140 studies, only nine met the criteria to be included. Results show functional training can significantly impact speed, muscular strength, power, balance and agility. Although no significant improvement was found on overall body composition (this will come down to other factors as well, like your diet and lifestyle), there was evidence of effects on flexibility, mobility and muscular endurance. Functional exercise is all about efficient and effective training that translates to the real world scenario, and it's a way of keeping you mobile, strong and agile as you get older, so everyone benefits from it. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. That could include anything from calisthenics (for the bodyweight training lovers) to weightlifting, walking workouts, or running. You'll find many sports coaches also program functional exercises and workouts into sports-specific training programs to develop all-around power, mobility and strength. David Beckham could be found in F45 classes (the home of functional training) for a good while, in fact. Although I'm generalizing, gym machine-based exercises and isolation exercises (single-muscle movements) typically don't sit under the umbrella term of "functional" because they don't translate to real-world activities. Of course, there are some exceptions, but movements that have a strict and restrictive movement pattern and move the body in a way that limits natural mechanics tend to fall outside of the functional scope. Think of your triceps extensions or leg extension machine, for example. Localized strength gains typically exclude the stabilizer muscles that work to support your body through movement. Think about your core working to stabilize you during a deadlift, for example. This means you won't improve overall function and performance or build the core muscles. That's why functional training is more effective, because you can recruit multiple muscles in a natural way, spreading the gains. This will entirely depend on your level of fitness and experience with exercise, and what you enjoy doing. The real secret to success is including compound exercises in your routine. On a basic level, think about squats, lunges, push-ups, rows and pull-ups, then all the variations of these you can find. Next, when putting together a functional routine, consider direction of travel. Running, by nature, is a functional form of movement because it is considered locomotion — moving from point A to point B. However, your body can move in many planes of motion, including forward and back (sagittal), side-to-side (frontal) and rotation (transverse). Moving in all directions will help strengthen and stabilize all muscle groups and prevent underuse or weakness in areas of the body. Ready to get started with a functional workout? We've got you covered with suggestions below.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
Celebs Reveal Dangers Of Illegal Cosmetic Surgery
Getting a little work done is totally your call — but make sure you do your homework first. Seeing an unlicensed provider or trying a treatment that isn't FDA-approved (or even FDA-cleared) can come with major risks. In some cases, it can be downright dangerous. Here are 13 celebrities who shared the shocking consequences of their illegal cosmetic procedures: When Cardi B was 22, she got illegal biopolymer butt injections, but at 30, she had 95 percent of them surgically removed and warned her fans to never get the procedure done. In an Instagram Live, she said, "All I'm going to say is that if you're young, if you're 19, 20, 21, and sometimes you're too skinny, and you be like, 'OMG, I don't have enough fat to put in my ass,' so you result to ass shots, don't!" In 2017, the FDA issued a warning against using injectable silicone for body contouring, citing possible side effects such as "ongoing pain and serious injuries, such as scarring, tissue death, and permanent disfigurement; if the silicone migrates beyond the injection site, it could cause an embolism (blockage of a blood vessel), stroke, infections and death." FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. said, "We have significant concerns with unsafe injectable silicone that's being marketed for body contouring by unlicensed providers. We've seen serious adverse events result from products, which are sometimes industrial-grade silicone, being used for these unapproved medical purposes." Several years after getting illegal silicone butt injections, K. Michelle had to have four surgeries and two blood transfusions to remove them. She told People, "[The injector] wasn't a doctor — it was black market, it was these 'hydrogel' injections — that's what they were being called. When I found out my favorite rapper did it, that's when I decided, 'I'm getting it done.'" Five years later, she started experiencing pain in her legs and back, migraines, fatigue, and other unexplainable symptoms. Eventually, her doctors found out that the silicone was spreading down her legs, so one suggested she get liposuction. She said, "He thought that you could go and suck it out, but it spread it. It's definitely a new procedure, so he didn't know... I went on tour about a week and a half later … but after a few performances, I was rushed to the emergency room." Removing the affected tissue required three additional surgeries. She said, "I had these lumps, and I was very disfigured." She planned to get reconstructive surgery. According to Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, cosmetic hydrogel injections aren't FDA-approved, and he recommends removing them before symptoms develop. At 19, Angela White (aka Blac Chyna) got illegal silicone butt injections from someone who wasn't a real doctor. At 35, she got them removed. In an Instagram video, she said, "I just want all the ladies out there to know: Do not get silicone shots. You can get sick, you can die, have complications, and all this other crazy stuff. Normally, my procedure would've taken four hours tops. My procedure took over 8.5 hours, y'all. Whatever that silicone mass — whatever that was that was in my buttocks — it kept clogging the machine, and breaking it." In 2022, Nicki Minaj told Joe Budden, "Social media was just beginning when I started, so I was a lot of people's guinea pig. I was one of the first people to be shitted on on the internet, on social media, like, non-fucking-stop. Every day I would go on, and there was some new story, made-up story, or bad picture. It wasn't acceptable to have surgery at all or anything. At that time, I had never had surgery. I had ass shots, which till this day, I realize, even what I did, and even with me not consulting with anyone to do something like that, how insane that was. Like, it's not that you go to a doctor, a professional person. No, it's some random person." She felt pressured to change her body because of the other people around her. She said, "I was in Atlanta at the time and… I kept on being around [Lil] Wayne and them. At that time Wayne, he talking about big booties. Wayne would have a new chick in the studio every session, so it was always a new big booty there. They were his muses. But I just was around them all the time, and I was like the little sister with Wayne and Mack [Maine]. … All I would hear them talking about is big butts, and I didn't feel complete or good enough — good as those girls because I'm like, 'Oh my God, this is what you're supposed to look like in the rap culture,' and I don't look like that..." She added, "I think they said stuff sometimes jokingly. But to a young girl or up-and-coming rapper … when it's from someone like Lil Wayne, it matters. So even if they're joking, they don't know that the person … is not finding it funny... They're just joking. They didn''t mean any harm. But it wasn't a joke to me." Later, she felt responsible for perpetuating the idea that female rappers needed to look a certain way. She said, "I don't think it's the men really anymore, especially. I think it's the women. I think it's the girls, what their perception of a female rapper is. And they think this is what I have to look like. You know, like, I remember I would never see any female rapper wearing pink hair. Pink hair became a part of that 'starter kit.' Every female rapper will put on a pink wig at some point. And I remember that was just the Nicki Minaj thing. That's why when I said, 'Pink wig, thick ass,' it was, 'Oh that's an iconic Nicki Minaj line because that's what she wears.' Now it's everybody — pink wig, thick ass, right?" When Joe asked if she held herself accountable, she answered, "Yes, yes, and I used to say — well, I was one of the first people saying, 'Oh, I'm not these people's parents.' But now I get it. I look at it from a different perspective now because superstars inadvertently become role models, no matter what. You can be the weirdest druggie in the world. If they like your music, they're listening to it over and over and over. It's programming. And they might try some of those things they hear you talk about." Gigi Gorgeous first opened up about her experience with illegal silicone injections in her 2023 book The T Guide. Later, in a YouTube video, she said, "I experimented with silicone injections in probably, like, 2014, 2015, and I was introduced to them by a friend of mine in New York." She explained that her friend recommended "Lisa," who would administer the illegal injections in hotel rooms at "pumping parties." Her clients referred to her as their "trainer" and code-named their procedures as "workouts." Gigi said, "It's something that I seriously, seriously regret. They can have major health effects. They can kill you. There are just so many scary things that can happen with them, and thank God that I'm alive and able to tell my story and warn people." She traveled from Canada to NYC, where she and her friend met Lisa in a hotel room. Gigi regretted not saying something when things started to feel shady — particularly when her friend brought her own silicone. Lisa brought Gigi's silicone in a water bottle, and there was "no rhyme or reason" to the way she injected. Gigi described the process as a "weird pain" she'd never felt before. Lisa closed the holes with Super Glue and Band-Aids. Gigi continued, "We went to a cafeteria, and I remember we were at a table with a bunch of friends. And I went to the bathroom... I remember pulling up my skirt and going pee, and I was like, 'What did I just do?' I think the reality had kinda set in, and I was like, 'This is so weird. This is crazy.' I was like, 'I am not this girl. Like, I think I just made a huge mistake.' So then, I proceeded to take all the Band-Aids off, rub all the Krazy Glue off of my skin, and start squeezing the silicone out. And it's going all down the seat, all down the toilet, on the floor...I could see the product coming out of me on the floor." Later that night, Gigi noticed she had a lot of scabs and feared she'd be left with scars because of her "mistake." However, the scabs fell off the next morning "as if nothing ever even happened." She said, "I literally swore to myself that morning that I would never ever ever dabble in any of that again." However, when work took her back to New York, she "fell back into" attending Lisa's pumping parties. She ended up with a "fucking huge" lump on her right thigh, which is when she finally decided to stop going to Lisa. She said, "I think the risks overweigh the benefits tenfold." When DreamDoll was 20, she traveled to Colombia for her first BBL. However, it later wore off. In 2023, she told NPR, "So I went the illegal route, and it was not the best decision. I do not recommend getting butt shots. Please don't ever do it. It is so painful. It feels like you got ran off by a truck." She ended up in the hospital. She continued, "[The pain was] a hundred. Whatever the highest number you could put, it's the highest number. Like, during the pain, I couldn't take the pain. And I was, like, getting fevers, and I'd be in a hospital. And nobody didn't know what was wrong with me, you know, 'cause I was — I didn't feel comfortable telling them I did that... So I just tried to find somebody to take it out, and they were like, that was the problem. You know, it's a foreign object, so you got to remove it one day." To help other young women, she vlogged the entire process of getting her illegal injections removed and replacing them with a new BBL. In 2024, reality star Lauren Wood told Truly, "I got illegal injections when I was 18, and I regret it so much... I would like to reverse my illegal butt shots. I'm starting to have complications. When I first got the illegal butt shots, I was nervous because this isn't a doctor. You know, it's, like, very much black market, hush hush. You lay down on the table, and they start injecting your butt. At the end of the day, we don't know what it is that they're truly injecting. The side effects of my illegal injections is some slight discoloration, pain, and random tingling in my legs, numbness. I'm worried that, if I don't get the injections removed that they'll continue to deteriorate. You just don't know what will happen. My message to girls who are looking to do the same procedure is don't do it. It's illegal for a reason, and it's just not worth it." In 2023, Christina Ashten Gourkani, who gained fame as a Kim Kardashian lookalike and OnlyFans creator, hired unlicensed cosmetologist Vivian Gomez to fly across the country and administer illegal butt injection in a California hotel room. Sadly, as a result of the procedure, Christina died the next day. Vivian was charged with felony involuntary manslaughter. She was also charged with practicing medicine without a license, resulting in death. Her trial date is set for November 2025. Dr. Lisa Hwang, who's a licensed plastic surgeon, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that there is no correct way to administer the free-floating gel used in such injections, making it risky. She also highlighted the importance of finding a certified practitioner and having a consultation. She said, "There are very specific boards, so a lot of times people will say board certified, but it's actually really important you look into which board." In 2015, Zonnique got her eye color surgically changed (like her mother, Tiny Harris, previously did). She got the procedure done in Tunisia because it hasn't been FDA-approved in the US. Zonnique told Mosaique FM, "After surgery, I couldn't see my eyes, but this morning, I got to, and I really loved them, and I thought they looked pretty." However, on a 2018 episode of T.I. & Tiny: Family & Friends Hustle, she revealed that she'd been experiencing eye pressure. She said, "It's been a week since I got my surgery, and I took the eye implants out so that I wouldn't have any permanent damage. When I first found out how serious the situation was, I was so emotional. It's really not something that I wanna go through again." Later, when an Instagram commenter asked her about the surgery, she reportedly said, "I've never liked to recommend anyone to do it. I can say that the experience wasn't the best in the long term but everyone is different." In 2024, the American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning against eye color-changing surgery. Complications could potentially include injury to the cornea, inflammation, light sensitivity, increased eye pressure leading to glaucoma, cataracts, reduced vision, and blindness. Priscilla Presley was a victim of Daniel Tomas Fuente Serrano, who wasn't licensed to practice in the US. According to the Guardian, he made himself a millionaire by promising to help his wealthy clients "permanently" erase their wrinkles. However, the injectables he used were actually industrial-grade silicone (the kind used to lubricate car parts) and medical silicone that was only approved for certain eye procedures. He smuggled the silicone from Argentina, used an unclean table and bottles, and didn't wear gloves. In 2006, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In a 2008 statement, Priscilla's representative said, "Priscilla Presley was one of many documented victims of Dr. [Daniel] Serrano. An investigation which uncovered his misconduct ultimately lead to his imprisonment. Ms. Presley dealt with this matter years ago, and everything is well." Actor Shawn King, Larry King's wife at the time, was also a victim of Daniel Serrano. According to the LA Times, in 2003, she paid him $7,000 in cash for the injections, which he gave her at her house. However, her lower lip was damaged, and the injections left a "displeasing hard bump" behind. She had difficulties speaking and drinking liquids. In 2007, Shawn told the Washington Post, "I got a letter saying when he was going to be arraigned, and wish I would have gone back and just said, 'Daniel, tell me what you put in my face so I know what I'm living with the rest of my life.' I have two small children, and I'd like to know what I'm in for." According to the LA Times, Diane Richie, Lionel Richie's ex-wife, was another client and victim of Daniel Serrano. However, the Washington Post later reported that she was also his girlfriend, and she was arrested for allegedly referring clients to him and letting him administer the illegal injections in her bathroom. And finally, over the course of ten months in 2005, actor and activist Rajee Narinesingh paid Oneal Ron Morris — who was unlicensed — $3,000 for illegal injections that turned out to be a mixture of Fix-A-Flat and cement. She told Barcroft TV, "I got injections in my face, my breast, and my hips, and my buttocks... Initially, I was fine. But then the nightmare started... My message to anyone that would consider doing what I did is not to do it. Don't do it, because you could die from it, or you could end up like me, disfigured." However, on a friend's recommendation, she sought help from plastic surgeon Dr. John Martin, who worked with her to remove the injections. The process was documented on Botched Seasn 3. In 2013, Oneal Ron Morris was sentenced to 366 days in prison for practicing healthcare without a license. Then, in 2017, she was sentenced to another ten years in prison for administering illegal injections as well as a manslaughter charge for a procedure that led to a woman's death.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Millennial Woman Left With Over $30K Dental Work After Eating Disorder
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For more than a decade, Jess Adams fought a harrowing battle with an eating disorder that nearly claimed her life at just 28. After surviving a near-fatal heart attack, she committed to recovery. Though six years later she's now in a far stronger place, physically and mentally, she never imagined the lasting toll years of bulimia would take on her health. Her illness has left her with irreparable dental damage—forcing her to spend thousands of dollars to restore her smile, a painful and permanent reminder of her eating disorder. The 34-year-old actress and model who lives in Los Angeles, told Newsweek how purging behaviors destroyed her teeth over time. "But least I was skinny right? WRONG." she wrote in the caption of a viral video, gathering 2.8 million views on Instagram (@thejessadams) According to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, 9 percent of the U.S. population, which is about 30 million people will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. These complex, mental health conditions have among the highest mortality rates of any mental illness and often go unnoticed or underdiagnosed. More than 70 percent of those affected never receive the treatment they need. Adam has lost some teeth and spent $9,000 on veneers for the front, but she can't afford to get a full set. Adam has lost some teeth and spent $9,000 on veneers for the front, but she can't afford to get a full set. Jess Adams Adams told Newsweek: "Eating disorders are competitive and some people get triggered so I don't like to speak about specific behaviors or weights, I think it is harmful for people." In the viral clip, she described how the disorder—marked by secretive overeating, self-induced vomiting, and obsession with weight—has damaged her digestion, relationships, opportunities, and teeth. "The damage to my teeth is irreversible," she said. "It eroded enamel, made saliva acidic, and all of my teeth were pretty damaged. My bottom front ones are OK, but my job is on camera so they can affect my mental health. They are a constant reminder of what happened in my life." She explained she lost a few teeth entirely and others became brittle and severely eroded. "I didn't have a choice so I had to get veneers on the front of my teeth otherwise I'd have no teeth," she said. "My front teeth look nice but I was unable to afford the sides. I'm only missing three teeth, but it was $9,000 for the front of my teeth, including bringing the other ones to a better state." Adams says her total dental care costs could eventually exceed $30,000 if she can ever afford to complete all of the work she needs. An x-ray of Adams teeth. The bright white areas are dental materials. An x-ray of Adams teeth. The bright white areas are dental materials. Provided by Jess Adams Bulimia and Oral Health Newsweek spoke to Dr Fazeela Khan-Osborne, leader in the field of implant and restorative dentistry, explained: "Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening, eating disorder. It is characterized by acid attacks from vomiting on teeth in general." Bulimia can have serious effects on oral health, including significant enamel erosion—especially on the back surfaces of teeth. This erosion can weaken teeth over time, increasing their vulnerability to cavities and discomfort. The owner of One To One Dental Clinic in London, added: "If it is long-standing, it can lead to reduced salvia secretion and thus dry mouth. This also increases the risk of decay and you will get a higher chance of getting dental disease, a higher chance of staining, and the teeth become more fragile, brittle and sensitive. "In turn, individuals become less confident which means they do not go to the dentist even though they are in pain. It becomes a cyclical problem. "It is important to seek help if you are suffering from bulimia. If you are suffering from erosion, you can get veneers, a fluoride mouth rinse, or other things which can prevent and protect your teeth." Khan-Osborne, who has over 30 years of experience, states veneers can be helpful; however, they cover only one side of the tooth surface. Erosion from bulimia often affects the backs of the teeth more than the fronts, since stomach acid typically contacts the inner surfaces first. As a result, crowns are often recommended because they provide coverage for both the front and back of the teeth. There are many treatment options available. In cases of severe erosion and decay, crowns can help preserve teeth and maintain function for many years. 'I Almost Became a Statistic' Two selfies of Adams in the dental chair. Two selfies of Adams in the dental chair. Jess Adams Adams' eating disorder began in middle school when she hit puberty and became convinced her body was wrong. "My relationship with food has never been normal. It started in middle school. I hit puberty hard and felt like my body wasn't right. I never felt comfortable in my own skin," she said. She emphasized that eating disorders are not just about wanting to be thin. "It isn't just about being skinny. It is how you deal with emotions, control, speaking up—a lot of it is very emotional. It just kind of comes out like that." The turning point came 5.5 years ago when she was hospitalized on New Year's Day after nearly dying. "I almost died because of my heart," she told Newsweek, adding. "I almost became a statistic." According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, eating disorders directly cause an estimated 10,200 deaths each year—that's roughly one death every 52 minutes. Casting her mind back to the day she will never forget, she said: "I got out of the bath, my chest started squeezing and I had shooting pains in my left arm. I was scared in case I was having a heart attack and dying. "My potassium was at 1.4 which is a walking heart attack. I was on death's door and I didn't even notice. It was a miracle that I survived." Cleveland Clinic, an American nonprofit academic medical center states the normal potassium ranges from 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.2 mmol/L) for adults. Levels below 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L) are considered severe. Hypokalemia means low blood potassium levels. It can disrupt the activity of your heart and lead to abnormal heart rhythms. Severe cases increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmias that can be life-threatening. During her hospital stay in 2020, Adams says she had a moment of clarity that pushed her to change. "I remember the exact thought I had. I was disappointed in myself, in what I had done with my life and how I felt about myself. I was so sad for myself when I thought it was the end of my life. "I was heartbroken and told myself if I have another chance then I would do something different." A Long Road to Recovery Recent photos of the former model wearing a white two-piece and a selfie taken in the car. Recent photos of the former model wearing a white two-piece and a selfie taken in the car. Jess Adams Adams said her eating disorder affected every area of her life—from self-esteem and relationships to her career. "It took me years to speak about it," she said. "I have now realized there's a beautiful thing that came out of what I went through. If I can help one person not feel alone or seek help, not suffer, then I'm happy to share my story." She is now selective about the work she takes on focusing on hair, skincare, and beauty jobs instead of fashion modeling. "I refuse to take jobs that will make me feel bad about myself," she said. Adams has also become an advocate for speaking honestly about recovery and fighting back against pro-skinny content online. "Even my worst day today is better than my best day in my eating disorder," she said. "If that had been my last day five years ago, so many wonderful things wouldn't have happened and that is what keeps me going."
