I had the Lap-Band surgery more than four years ago. I was about 60 lbs. overweight at the time and because I did not "qualify" for the insurance to cover my surgery, I paid cash for it. I have since lost all of the weight and to outsiders, I appear to maintain a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise and healthy food choices), but I'm still struggling with constant overeating and purging. Granted, the overeating I'm doing is limited because of the restriction that is provided by my band, so the amount of food isn't what a non-banded person would consider "a lot," but I'm still purging every time I eat, and engaging in binge/purge cycles when alone.

I've had my band evaluated by my physician to ensure that it's not a surgical complication and I have been in counseling for several months to try to get at the mental issues that may be contributing to my compulsive eating behaviors... At the end of the day, nothing is working. My eyes are bigger than my stomach, as the saying goes, I want to eat more food than I can handle and then I feel guilt (and not to mention the physical pain from the band) when I do.

Prior to my surgery, I know that I did not have a normal relationship with food. I would eat to the point of being uncomfortable, I would snack on foods when I wasn't hungry, then I would be angry at myself for being "fat," and I would swear to never do it again... This cycle still remains.

Is anyone else experiencing anything like this? If so, can you please share what you're doing or have tried to do to get "better."

Thank you in advance!

I too have the same issues. I was banded May 2010 have lost 60lbs with an additional 50 to go. I find myself more often than not over eating and then making myself purge. Something I never did prior to the surgery. I know that if I take one more bite I will have the discomfort from the band, but I can't stop myself. Most times I make myself sick but if I don't after about 5 minutes I am running to the bathroom because I am going to get sick anyway. Somedays I throw up after every meal. I am afraid of telling my doctor for fear she will remove saline and the weight loss will stop. The funny thing is that since I have had this problem I haven't lost weight as quickly, only about 4lbs a month now. The past 3 months have been the worst, I tend to eat foods that I should not be eating only to purposely vomit then back up. What have you done to try and stop? I know the constant throwing up is not good for my body or soul, but I so badly want to lose the weight, but my evil eating habits have reared it's head.

I thought I was the only one with this problem. My bulimia is basically induced thanks to excessive mucus buildup. I am on several kinds of meds for the thick mucus. I basically throw-up after every meal and sometimes even after drinking. But the sad part is that I can literally vomit on cue and find myself eating bad things and then inducing it myself. This isn't healthy but now that I realize I can do it, I do.

Wow, thank you both for your answers! I've spoken to my general physician about this problem and she feels that the root cause is the behavior of compulsive eating. When we had our surgeries our ability to take in food physically changed, but our mental/emotional relationship with food did not. Even after posting this several months ago, I still don't have an answers.

I have been vomiting everyday for the last four years and in the last year the binging has only gotten worse. About 9 months after my surgery my band was so tight that I actually gave myself an ulcer. I was treated for it, but continued to purge after meals and it actually has bled on a couple of occasions. You would think that seeing blood in the toilet would make me stop...

MafiaCatWoman, I too can make myself vomit on command -- it's so shameful, even when I'm not full, I feel like I need to get rid of the food. Interestingly enough this has caused me to gain back some weight. Also, I tend to eat foods that are soft (usually high fat) because I can eat them without discomfort.

I'm planning to do some reading on compulsive eating and see if I can find the tools that I need there.

Please post if either of you find a solution. Thank you!

I do the same thing. I will over eat knowing I can create this suckion and pull it up. (Kinda like puking)Its not forceful, I just pull it up and spit it out. Disgusting! I do it though. Every time I eat... I go to the dr tomorrow to see what I need to do. I have been doing this for 2 years now. I have no pain or discomfort I just simply eat to dang much. Well technically I am probably not even eating that much, I just drink and that makes it come up. Ugh... I am at my goal weight but this has got to stop.

Hello I know it has been a long time since you al have written on this page, but I am very worried. My little sister had lap band surgery about 3 years ago. It took a while for her to show the weight loss, but then within 6-9 months she lost over 100 pounds. She has struggle with having it in general. I found out because I saw her scar from the surgery and made her tell me.

Me and all of my family have noticed the same issue with her. She has always been an over eater, and continues to be. She had the lap band now though and relies on it to make her purge what she eats, i.e. she is bulimic. Her friends have noticed, but since she has not shared she had the surgery they all think she is JUST bulimic, which she is. She gets extremely upset when this conclusion is drawn because she does not want to admit that this is what is happening. I have no idea how to broach the subject with her. She is a very sensitive. Dramatic and over reactive person. Any advice on how to approach her and bring the subject up. Or any information that I can show to her to get her talking?

I have had lap band for 4 years and It seems at times I have Bulimia but I don't. When my band is too tight I throw up more but when the band fluid is right I don't throw up. I have a history of eating disorder but did not have bulimia. Another sign of being too tight is if you can eat junk food easily. Good luck. For me I would do ANYTHING to lose weight... so I understand.

I was banded one year and two months ago. I have gotten really bad at this and when I googled it I felt like I am the only one until I found this website. I am sorry to hear other people are going through this but at the same time I am glad I am not alone. I have lost 104 lbs and I have only had one fill. (Lost insurance so I haven't seen my surgeon since my first fill) I throw up though exactly how you are saying. I know it is bad for me but its like I can't stop myself from eating. :(