I apologize in advance for the lengthy nature of this post, but I'm feeling quite desperate and would appreciate any help that this community can offer...

Back in September of 2006, I had the Lap-Band surgery. Things went well from a weight loss standpoint, but like many people on this forum I was constantly having issues with vomiting, undigested food remaining in my stomach/esophagus, etc. In June of 2011, I decided to have my band removed and (because I was terrified of regaining the weight) I paid to have the VSG procedure.

After about 2 months of just being on liquids and soft foods, I thought I was doing well with my sleeve, but I'm back in the same position of vomiting after virtually every meal, even if I only have a few bites. I've also taken to overeating/binging strictly with the intent of purging. I've started seeing a psychiatrist because I was concerned that the "bad habit" I had developed while I still had my band had actually turned into a psychological issue and I'm also seeing a therapist to deal with the "underlying issues" of my eating problems. The trouble is, I don't feel like anything the therapist has to say is resonating with me and I don't "feel" like I'm engaging in these eating behaviors to intentionally cause harm to myself.

I honestly believe that I need to be taught how to eat. Obviously, my relationship with food was never "normal" because I was overweight to begin with, but now I am constantly worried about causing a leak in my sleeve, disrupting the ulcers in my esophagus (from excessive vomiting with the band), and impacting my health overall. My electrolytes are a bit out of whack and my cholesterol is high -- both factors my primary doctor attributes to the constant purging.

If anyone has found any literature or other support resources about "learning how to eat" after VSG or gastric bypass, I would greatly appreciate the recommendations.

Many thanks!

I think this was an incredibly brave post. I also had a lap band go wrong' date=' but I got accustomed to the eating and automatically purging pretty much purposely. That went on for 3 years because the scar tissue had built up within my band passage so badly. Now that the band is gone and I have been sleeved, I struggle on a daily basis not to follow that same pattern. The comfort of "eating" and not having to worry about it be real eating, real consumption of food. Some days I fail, and until I read this thread I honest-to-God believed I was completely isolated in this.

Basically, I just wanted to say thanks for putting this out there. I hope you overcame your difficulties, and I sincerely hope I can do the same before I mess things up royally.[/quote']

I hope you seek out a therapist soon....

I just read your past posts and I'm concerned that you have a skewed perception of body image and perhaps and underlying eating disorder?

The sleeve will not fix these things. But you can seek a disordered eating specialist to help

You work through them. So you can lead a happier and healthier life..

I vote for the nutritionist but also maybe a barium swallow test with the surgeon to make sure its all going down ok. I'd also like to give you a big hug too! Private message me anytime....

Talk with your surgeon. I was having similar isses with only eating very little and throwing up. I did not purge deliberately but recently realized I could eat more and if it was too much I would throw up. I went to my md and he did an endoscopy and an upper GI study which showed Ihad a twist in my stomach. It formed a little pouch so it is acting like I still have the band. I am now in the process of geting ready for the bypass. I never wanted one but it is the fix for my problem and who wants to feel like the hsve a band with all its issues. Hopefully I will have the surg soon or I will have to wait til january cause I am going on a cruise for Christmas and I want to be on regular food. Hope you find out what the problem is.