VictoriaLeigh

Wanted to get some feedback/support on my after LapBand bulimia. I had LapBand surgery 3 1/2 years ago and lost all of my weight (120lbs) in the first 2 years. The first year I followed the rules, ate very little and very rarely threw up but did on occasion when I accidently ate too much. By the 2nd year, I started to eat more knowing I would throw up but my mind was just still so hungry and it perpetuated into full blown bulimia. Now keep in mind that I NEVER sufferered from Bulimia prior to LapBand. I would have never considered throwing up on purpose back then. Now, for the last year or so, I will eat anything and everything that I want, knowing that I will simply throw it up and will never gain another pound as long as I have my LapBand. My LapBand has facilitated my bulimia. I am now starting to feel the effects of it on my esophagus, teeth and gums. I have started therapy for my eating disorder and am considering having the LapBand removed but scared to do that as I know I will gain the weight back because I don't have my eating disorder under control but doubly scared that keeping the LapBand will lead to severe probs w/my esophagus. I also suffer from acid reflux and chronic heartburn. The doctor put the smallest band on me, I have never had a fill, it is still tight so the only remedy would be to remove it as it cannot be deflated. I know that everyone is different but an eating disorder is an eating disorder with or w/out the LapBand. Prior to my LapBand, I was an emotional over-eater. Still am but now I am an emotional over-eater w/a LapBand and bulimia. The therapy I have started seems slow and not helping me but maybe it will in time. Any other post LapBand bulimics out there who can offer some suggestions/support?

Thanks LosingItAll for your response. I am currently in therapy for my eating disorder as I want to make the right decision before I make my final decision about the LapBand removal, but I still question therapy as so far, it has made no difference. I have always had an eating disorder as I mentioned above. Pre LapBand it was emotional over-eating which is what made me fat. Post LapBand it is still emotional over-eating w/the LapBand which has turned into bulimia because my band will not tolerate it...not a new eating disorder, just different outward results of the same eating disorder. I know that I cannot be the only one in this situation and hope that I find someone who has had this prob and has overcome it and will share their story.

Thanks for your response Karen. I started out exactly that way w/inadvertently over-eating and throwing it up to prevent the discomfort, just seems that from there it perpetuated over the years into something that I now have no real control over. I will sincerely eat knowing that my Band will not tolerate it and knowing that I can throw it up but I appease that food craving for the moment. How long have you had your LapBand? There has got to be good Band succes stories from those who have had their bands a few years w/out the probs that I am facing now.

I had LapBand surgery 3 1/2 years ago and lost all of my weight (120lbs) in the first 2 years. The first year I followed the rules, ate very little and very rarely threw up but did on occasion when I accidently ate too much. By the 2nd year, I started to eat more knowing I would throw up but my mind was just still so hungry and it perpetuated into full blown bulimia. Now keep in mind that I NEVER sufferered from Bulimia prior to LapBand. I would have never considered throwing up on purpose back then. Now, for the last year or so, I will eat anything and everything that I want, knowing that I will simply throw it up and will never gain another pound as long as I have my LapBand. My LapBand has facilitated my bulimia. I am now starting to feel the effects of it on my esophagus, teeth and gums. I have just started therapy for my eating disorder and am considering having the LapBand removed. Everyone is different but an eating disorder is an eating disorder with or w/out the LapBand. Prior to my LapBand, I was an emotional over-eater. Still am but now I am an emotional over-eater w/a LapBand and bulimia. My recommendation would be to get counseling or therapy before you have the LapBand surgery because my thought is that your bulimia will simply get worse with it. Good luck!

I had LapBand surgery 3 1/2 years ago and lost all of my weight (120lbs) in the first 2 years. The first year I followed the rules, ate very little and very rarely threw up but did on occasion when I accidently ate too much. By the 2nd year, I started to eat more knowing I would throw up but my mind was just still so hungry and it perpetuated into full blown bulimia. Now keep in mind that I NEVER sufferered from Bulimia prior to LapBand. I would have never considered throwing up on purpose back then. Now, for the last year or so, I will eat anything and everything that I want, knowing that I will simply throw it up and will never gain another pound as long as I have my LapBand. My LapBand has facilitated my bulimia. I am now starting to feel the effects of it on my esophagus, teeth and gums. I have just started therapy for my eating disorder and am considering having the LapBand removed. Everyone is different but an eating disorder is an eating disorder with or w/out the LapBand. Prior to my LapBand, I was an emotional over-eater. Still am but now I am an emotional over-eater w/a LapBand and bulimia. My recommendation would be to get counseling or therapy before you have the LapBand surgery because my thought is that your bulimia will simply get worse with it. Good luck!

I just realized I responded to a very old post but hope that my response will help someone else. When I Googled LapBand Bulimia, this post came up so I am sure others will see it as well.

Jenna...be very mindful of this. I had LapBand surgery 3 1/2 years ago and lost all of my weight (120lbs) in the first 2 years. The first year I followed the rules, ate very little and very rarely threw up but did on occasion when I accidently ate too much. By the 2nd year, I started to eat more knowing I would throw up but my mind was just still so hungry and it perpetuated into full blown bulimia. Now keep in mind that I NEVER sufferered from Bulimia prior to LapBand. I would have never considered throwing up on purpose back then. Now, for the last year or so, I will eat anything and everything that I want, knowing that I will simply throw it up and will never gain another pound as long as I have my LapBand. My LapBand has facilitated my bulimia. I am now starting to feel the effects of it on my esophagus, teeth and gums. I have just started therapy for my eating disorder and am considering having the LapBand removed. Everyone is different but an eating disorder is an eating disorder with or w/out the LapBand. Prior to my LapBand, I was an emotional over-eater. Still am but now I am an emotional over-eater w/a LapBand and bulimia. My recommendation would be to get counseling or therapy before you have the LapBand surgery because my thought is that your bulimia will simply get worse with it. Good luck!