Can Having A Lap Band Cause You To Develop An Eating Disorder?

[redchic1978 1]

I got the lap band a year ago and lost about 15 to 20 lbs. Then nothing. I could still eat pretty much whatever even though it was smaller portions and somettimes I'd get stuck in the morning and vomit. I just had my 3rd fill about 9 days ago and am at 8cc"s. Most of the time I can't eat anything. Even drinks come back up in the morning or middle of the night. If I am thirsty I dare not chug. Just sip and deal with it. I have lost between 5 and 7 pounds my concern is that vomitting has become a regular part of my daily routine. All I have to do is think about it and I throw up. And if something gets stuck even after i get it up my gag refluxes still have me barfing away. Its so common I keep a large plastic cup with me at all times. My poor kids can't stand it and I don't want them to think this is normal nor do I want to scare them. One sip of juice or 1 bight of grits often turns into 16 oz of fluids that I'v thrown up over an hr. I dont even know where it comes from because I'v only had 1 little sip! It seems like for the most part if I avoid all foods even watered down grits or mashed potatoes in the first half of the day and I just sip on coffee or a protien shake that in the second half of the day and dinner time my options expand. I can actually eat dinner with my family so long as I chew well and slowly. Last night I had a small bowl of baked chicken and rice. Im at 300 to 500 calories a day usually. Im worried my brains association to food is starting to mean vomit and while losing weight is wonderful I dont wanna be bolemic! Can anyone help me out here? I dont want an adjustment either because I lost nothing at 7 cc's. Has anyone else experienced any of this?

[lmbrown27 3]

Sounds like you are in the red zone and need to call your doctor. You may be filled just a little too bit. You should never have to vomit so something is not right. It might just mean that 1 cc fill was just too much. Maybe they would remove 1/2 cc and you'll be just fine.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

First, in answer to your question, no the Lap Band can't cause an eating disorder. However, that's not to say someone with the band can't develop an eating disorder. They can and do, and this is actually a big part of why most doctors require a psych evaluation before surgery, so they can try to spot people with a tendency towards eating disorders in advance.

With that said, you should not be vomiting with the band. Vomiting is one of the leading causes of slips. You need to get back into your surgeon immediately and likely get a small unfill. Right now, honestly, you're playing Russian roulette with your band and body.

If you are afraid you have an eating disorder, seek out a counselor. You're worth it to help yourself get healthy both mentally and physically.

Best wishes.

[Sojourner 2,446]

An eating disorder is caused through series of emotional and/or psychological health issues resulting in a psychological distortion of body image and the patient's attempt to severely limit the number of calories they ingest. The band would not cause the development of an eating disorder. In fact, that is part of the reason for the pre op psych evaluation; to screen for any risk factors for the development of eating disorders.

The set of symptoms you wrote about does, as others have written, seem to be a physical situation caused by a band which is too tight, and most certainly does need to be evaluated ASAP by your surgeon.

There are a number of risk factors for the development of an eating disorder...including, but not limited to if you have any first degree relatives with an eating disorder or have a history of psychological issues which relate to depression or tendencies towards distorted body image. If you do, it would likely be a good choice to seek services with a qualified professional in the field who does work with that population of patients.

[jen_1381 446]

To answer the question from your title - I don't think having any bariatric surgery can cause an eating disorder. I believe that if there was a disorder there, it was most likely underlying before surgery. I'm speaking a little from personal experience; I don't have an eating disorder but sometimes I think I could easily develop one. Losing weight becomes addicting. You feel great when the scale is sliding down; better than I ever felt after any meal, dessert, drink, etc. During my pre-op psych eval, the therapist told me that the way I tested, I had a tendancy to develop an eating disorder so watch out for it, and if the thoughts arise, seek help.

Fast forward 5 months, over 55 lbs lost and throw in an 8 week plateau, and I started talking with a therapist about it last week. Body image is a HUGE deal for most WLS patients. What I see with my eyes is not reality; I still see the fat girl in the mirror. I just see the flaws. So I'm working on a path of self-acceptance, and have changed my weight loss goals accordingly. I used to want to lose until I felt comfortable...which can be dangerous. Now I go by numbers.

As for the vomiting piece - you need to get with your surgeon, nutritionist, and maybe a therapist. Eating 300-500 calories a day is not enough for your body to sustain. The vomiting will do major damage in the long run. If just the thought of food makes you want to barf....I would seek out help if I were you.

Please let us know how it turns out for you. You've come to the right place for support!

[Kinley7390 80]

I was going to say just what Jen said regarding 300-500 calories not being enough to sustain your physical health. As most everyone else said, you need to get this looked at immediately. You mentioned not wanting to scare your kids, but if they have witnessed this already, then chances are, unfortunately, they are probably already scared! You mentioned not wanting an adjustment because you lost nothing at 7cc's, but you have to know that fixing this vomiting issue is far more important than losing weight right now! You are not only setting yourself up for a potential slip as Missy mentioned, but repeated vomiting can erode the esophagus and cause a host of other medical concerns. I would be on my phone with the doctor immediately if I were you. Please don't wait another day, and please let us know how you make out!

[bornready 42]

Try talking to your doc. Even a 1/4cc unfill can ease your vomiting

[Kinley7390 80]

P.S. I had a friend who battled (and subsequently conquered) bulimia for several years before I met her. She mentioned that after a while, vomiting came naturally after she ate, because she had conditioned her body to doing so. She no longer had to try to prompt it, her body just began doing it on its own. This would lend validity to your concern that if this goes on too long, the brain can make unhealthy associations between food and vomiting. So please, do get help! Good luck.

[marfar7 1,533]

Talk to your Dr, now! I'm 3 yrs post op and for the first 2 1/2 yrs, daily vomiting was the norm for me also. I ate way too fast, I wasn't really too tight, I just never learned to slow down. I didn't vomit up liquids only tho - only the food I had just eaten. More than a PB, I think. 6 mths ago, my band slipped from the vomiting. Now I've gained back 16 lbs and I'm still dealing with a slightly slipped band.

If you can't even keep liquids down, you're probably too tight. I had to get an unfill to deal with the slip and it helped the vomiting tremendously. I've vomited about 2-3 times in the last 6 mths - which I perceive as success! I'm back on my way to losing the 16 lbs I've gained (lost 5 so far).

You really need to call your dr and tell them whats going on. You absolutely can't live on 300-500 calories a day, especially if you're throwing them all up. It doesn't sound like you have bulimia, but more of a structure problem. Good luck!

Marci

[zinhaa 363]

Get a slight unfill.

[redchic1978 1]

Thanks everyone for your advice and concern. I am eating such little calories because thats all I can manage to get down. broth and Jello and such things only add up to so much. I knew vomitting could lead to band slips but my doctor lead me to believe this was very unlikely and only really happened from overeating and and vomitting as a result. And overeating is definately not my concern. Its almost 6 pm and I'v only managed to sip some juice today. So todays caloric intake willbe under 300 I'm sure (its a bad day) I also dont vomit just thinking of food, what I meant was when I need to vomit I just do, I dont even need to push or force food to come up if its stuck anymore. Trust me lol I am desperate for a nice solid piece of food. Thanks Kinley 7390. Thats what I meant by my question... I was worried my brain would start some weird unhealthy connection to food. It's just crazy. This is why I opted for the band because I wanted to lose the weight in a slow and healthy manor. I was always comfortable with my body. Even being overweight I am big boned and was tall and proportioned well so when I got into the 290s I was borderline diabetic, BP was up and I suffer from major back problems so being unhealthy pushed me to get the surgery, it wasn't about getting skinny for me just being healthy. I feel like my relationship with food is more unhealthy now then it ever was before the band. I feel like it was the worst decision I ever made. I either went thru all of this for nothing or I can starve and cant get any food down and lose weight. It just doesnt feel like it was worth it to me. But thank you everyone again for your encouragement. I will continue to come here for support and will becalling my surgeon ASAP. Maybe a half cc less will do the trick :-)