A question....

Hello all. I have a surgery date scheduled and have done a lot of reading about the Roux en y procedure, but I have a question.... A friend of mine is close to two people that had WLS (she doesn't know what kind), each about five years ago. They both refer to it as "forced bulemia" as they both vomit at least daily even so long after surgery. I did not think that this was typical - that we would learn what are limits are and what foods we cannot tolerate. Are they doing something wrong? Or is this something that others have problems with as well? Thanks...I know that this is sort of personal.

Erika; I've never heard of this. I'm nearly 6 months post-op RNY and have only vomited once in the past 3 months (caused by too dry chicken). I absolutely know my limits and tolerances and don't exceed them. Now, in the early days when my pouch was still healing, that was another story. At the worst part of it, I vomited 17x in 10 days. My mom had DS in July 1998 and she vomits more than I do, but I attribute it to her pushing her limits at every opportunity she gets. I haven't had a meal with her in the last 8 years where she hasn't been rocking in her chair and rubbing on her esophagus trying to "wish" the food down faster. My take on food is there's always going to be another opportunity to eat whatever it is I'm eating right now, so I don't need to make myself sick or uncomfortable. Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 175 / 137

Guess it depends on what they mean by "forced bulimia"... is she saying every time they eat they are sick? Maybe they are just stuffing themselves so their body has to reject some of the food? Or... I have a friend who had surgery 4 years ago... she is now bulimic because she is scared to death of even gaining back 1 pound she lost. She also still loves to BINGE... shell stuff down 3 tacos from taco bell in just a few minutes and of course... shes going to get sick! For my friend, shed rather keep doind as shes doing... instead of treating the issue of her wanting to binge and gorge on food shed rather keep doing and just throw it up so she doesnt have to deal with gaining weight from it. Since she isnt throwing up stomach acid because of the surgery she thinks its "not as bad" as "normal" bulimia. We would hope that we would learn our limits... I think sometimes people dont spend enough time thinking about the surgery and prepairing. I know for me it took a looooong time (5 years) to make the decision. I wanted to make sure I was ready for everything that I would have to do. The surgery is a tool... you have to know how to use a tool to make it work for you and you have to want to use the tool. Hope this helps! If you want to discuss more about it just send me a line!

I am only one week and one day post op, but I have not vomited once. I seem to be lucky as I can easily drink the required amounts of fluids a dau and could from day one. I am on a full liquid diet, cream soups, sf puddings, cream of wheat that type of stuff and I have been fine sice day one. Everyone is different though, I hope you will have as easly as a time as I am.