Bulimia nervosa has many medical complications associated with the different modes of purging utilized by these patients. There also are inherent medical complications associated with chronic purging when these behaviors are abruptly discontinued. These complications experienced by a patient with bulimia nervosa when they decide to cease purging, can be a strong deterrent to successfully treating this disorder. Therefore it behooves care providers to become familiar with these complications in order to skillfully recommend strategies to help overcome the tendency to revert to purging behaviors.