Purging after surgery

[emtakespictures 0]

Hi,

I had a VSG about two weeks ago. For the past week or so, I've been craving and eating too quickly and then purposely purging my meals. Sometimes numerous times a day. I'm scared for myself but I'm even more scared about not losing the expected weight.

I haven't been following the diet to a t, eating certain solid and tolerable foods, and I'm worried the surgery will be a failure.

I thought I wouldn't have cravings anymore but I do.

Advice?

Tips?

What happens if I purge too much?

Thanks

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Woah there! Did you have a purging problem before? Of all times, this is probably the worst to be purging - strains your stomach and could result in a leak. Not to mention purging is just horrible for you in every aspect. I battled with bulimia in my teens, so I know where you're coming from. Purging ruins your teeth, makes you bloated, results in popped blood vessels in your face and eyes, and can result in very serious consequences - most notably, esophageal tears (which could result in bleeding to the point of unconsciousness/death within minutes) and cardiac arrest from electrolyte imbalances. And that's for an otherwise healthy person who didn't have 85% of her stomach removed and a staple line running through the rest! I think you need to notify your surgeon ASAP (my surgeon specifically asked about my bulimia history in detail, as he wouldn't operate on someone who hasn't been in recovery for a long time because it's so dangerous for sleeve patients) AND get a counselor; if I were you, I'd even ask for a referral to a psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders - although they are tough to come by. But you would definitely be considered an emergency case, so you might get in quickly before you ruin your sleeve.

[GayleSBennett 0]

STOP PURGING!!

Its a learning process, you have to learn to eat slow. You have to learn to eat small bites. I'm a little surprised that you're on solids when most of us at 2 weeks have been on full liquids only, but if your doctor said to do food.. then he/she knows best. Eat small amounts, 1/2 cup at most. Take about 20-30 minutes to eat that 1/2 cup.

If you're following the diet to a T then you will be successful. Period. There's no room for error if you're following the doctor's orders.

You WILL lose weight and you WILL be successful.

But you will kill yourself if you continue to purge yourself.

(I feel like I'm being punked because I can't believe anyone would purposely throw up after eating, especially several times a day, after having this surgery)

Best wishes for you.

[emilygrace 5]

I had to throw up several times postop, starting from a couple weeks out once I started on mushies etc. Some things just wouldn't stay down, like oatmeal - I think it must expand in your stomach because it felt fine going down, but half an hour later I felt it coming back up my throat and I would go and throw it up. There was no retching or "vomiting" exactly, just that it popped back up my throat. This happened multiple times in the 2-6 week postop period. I don't think I was eating too much or too fast.

Now I am 3 months out and it never happens anymore.

[Tiffykins 673]

You're risking damaging your stomach, your risking esophageal damage from purging, and numerous other issues. They operate on our stomachs not our brains, and nothing fixes cravings except willpower and common sense to not put things in your body before it's ready. You're body is still healing, and I honestly think you know this because logically it's pretty obvious that your body needs time to heal. Plus, if you've spent anytime on this forum, you know the risks of overeating, and putting foods in there that are not on your approved lists. Leaks, strictures and other issues are major risks that you're inviting in with this type of behavior.

You need to consult a medical professional to help you deal with the food issues, and the compulsive eating and purging. Surgery isn't going to fail if you end up in the hospital with major complications, you're going to be too ill to eat anything. You're scared that you won't lose, stop worrying about losing weight, and worry about your staple line, and your future health. Get your head in the game because you're going to totally screw your body up with this type of behavior. Harsh I know, I know, and in all seriousness, this surgery isn't going to stop you from binging and purging, you'll need to seek professional help.

[lunarose 97]

Hi, This is very scary you could cause permanent damage you could even die. Your stomach hasn't even healed yet. I am with Tiff you need some help.