I haven't posted here in a while.... I thought I should check in.

Going in next Friday to have my band unfilled and to start the procedure in order to get it removed.

I had it implanted back in December of 2007 and the lowest weight I got to was 248 from a start of 282.  I now sit at close to 290.

Basically this band has caused me to become bulimic. 

I throw up numerous times daily.

It has nothing to do with how much I chew, how little of a bite I take, how much food I take in, I will vomit at almost every single meal because I CANNOT STAND THE SENSATION of food being in my throat or pouch.

Now it's gotten to the point where it HURTS when I eat.  I can feel the pain as the food goes down my throat, and it's even more painful when it goes through my band.

I am scared what lies ahead, scared to get an endoscopy (??), scared to find out what damage it has caused.

I'm just so scared.  I have two young daughters to take care of.  What have I done?  WHY did I get a lapband in the first place?  My god I researched it like crazy, the only mistake I made was not waiting it out until long-term data showed up on it's effectiveness and side-effects.


:(

so if you are throwing up numerous times a day wouldnt that make you constantly losing weight instead of gaining? something must be staying down in order for you to gain more than you lost. I'm not judging you by any means just trying to understand.

 Is the band malfunctioning? Did you ever have any periods of band normalcy, or has it always been too tight for you to eat? When you say bulemia, do you make yourself vomit or is it your body rejecting the food? I hope they find a solution and you feel better. Please make sure that your family/friends know what is going on. Bulemia is a dangerous condition. The Terry Chiavo (sp?) case started out with her bulemia (her family did not know about) and when she was found unresponsive in her bathroom no one realized that she had collapsed from low magnesium, and then she slipped into an unrecoverable coma. It's possible that if her family or doctor had known about the bulemia, they could have given her magnesium right away and saved her life. I had no idea about this myself until a few months ago when I took a cardiac class. I'm not bulemic, but as a healthcare worker I just want to make sure you are on the safest path. Good luck and feel better!

Hi,

I am very concerned.  Most of the bulimic patients I have seen are over weight.  I am so sorry the band did not work out for you.  However, in your case, it goes a lot deeper.  Please get some help from a counselor who specialists in eating disorders.  There are some very powerful tools out there that you will learn about and will help you  to overcome this disorder.  Do this for you so that you can take care of your family.

I was in the same boat. I got the band 2009 and had it out 2011.  I couldn't swallow anything. I carried a cup around with me so if I tried to eat something I could just spit it out. It was painful, embarassing and I too gained back all the weight I had lost and more.  The reason you can weight is typically explained because your body is in starvation so anytime something does get through it just holds it.
Since the band has been out I have had counseling for bulimia which actually had shown signs before the surgery.  I have had the band out for nearly a year and a half and am just now getting things under control. There are certain foods that I will still throw up if I eat too fast or don't chew enough. I haven't had an endoscopy but two barium swallows were perfect so who knows.

Good luck and I truly hope that you get better and feel better. It is such a long process but you can do it!!

I was having similar issues...not losing weight, just losing meals for several months.  I was out of town for several months so didn't address it until I got home.  Had a complete unfill and after 5 weeks went in for another esophogram yesterday and things are much better.  My pouch is normal, barium flowed through, but I still have some motility issues.  Also, the PA said it appears that my stomach tissue is "bunched up" inside my band, which is why I still have restriction, even with no fill.  I've lost 4.5 lbs in 5 weeks, but still unable to eat salad....
You might find that with some time to heal after an unfill, you might do better...
Good luck!

Read your post. Sounds all too familiar. I too am looking into revision from band. I was banded in May 2007. I never feel full. I forgot what that sensation is like. I call myslef a lapband bulemic.  After 5 and a half years I have trained myself to look at a toilet or garbage can and vomit within seconds. When my band has fill in it I cannot get a salad down or a small meal. At points I was just eating to survive. Feeling dehydrated, starved. I have lost a whopping 16 lbs in 5.5 years. Nice huh? There was no long term studies back then...it was fairly new. I remember telling my doc that my restriction is over the top a week before my period. And forget when I would have a cold coming on. He just looked baffled when I told him this. My new doc said that she has heard more and more about this problem. I am now in the beginning process of being referred for a revision. I am looking into the DS. Its good to know that I am not the only one. There is a reason why I came back to this site after o many years. Good luck to you! I look forward to reading your posts and sharing this next step with you;>