Hi,

I was wondering if it was possible to have had the Lap Band surgery and have bulimia. The gastric banding surgery complicates things and I have no idea if you could actually have bulimia if the band itself could cause vomiting...

Is this more a medical question or is it because you might need counseling on bulimia?

KBC, I have to disagree as bulemia is more of a mental illness.

You need to get counseling and live a healthy lifestyle, thus no need for the lap band. Most doctors will not do such an invasive surgery to a person who has this illness as it is more mental than physical.

That was what I was asking the op,was it for medical reasons or mental help.

Sorry for the confusion.

Your friend in Illinois,

KBC

Its more counseling as I have the Lap Band. I was banded just under five months ago and am down 53 pounds. The Lap Band can induce vomiting due to what is known as an overfill. I do think I might have bulimia.

Why do you think you have bulimia?

Bulimia is normally considered binging and purging. While I don't eat a lot by normal standards, not more than 8 bites of anything, I constantly eat until I can't breathe and relieve my chest pain without vomiting. This happens at every meal. I don't think I have an overfill, yet I continue to feel like I have to vomit... I am just really confused...

It is possible you have a condition called Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Better known as GERD. I have it myself and have had considerable relief since taking Nexium. You need to discuss this with your doctor for a proper diagnosis though.

The only issue is that I intentionally eat to the point of sickness. I eat to the point I hurt and can only find relief by throwing up. I don't stick a finger in my throat or anything like that, I just manipulate my throat muscles to activate the gag reflex.

An interesting point is that there is no stomach acid because the food hasn't reached my stomach. Would this eliminate most of the problems with bulimia? I guess I just don't know if what I am doing is considered binging and purging... bulimia.

I think it is very possible! I had the band last year and I am def bulimic! Not that I am proud of it, but I now when I "binge" its not extreme amounts of food~ like it could be but it is more than I should eat and def the wrong foods and I feel so miserable that I purge! I am so not proud of this and I am not working with a counselor to get past yet again another food addiction problem! Its going to be a lot of work, I have a distorted self imagie of myself! I am down from 299 to 149! I see the fat girl when I look in the mirror! THis problem is not always for teens either! I didn't become bulimic until I was 36!! Admitting I had a prob was the hardest part!! Good luck and becareful!! If you are having a prob deal with it before you cause yourself to have serious health problem!