Hi,

I don't have a lap band, but I have a new co-worker who does. I'm a little concerned about her...she's had the lap band for 4 years now and she vomits at least 6-7 times a day. Is that normal? I'm worried that she may be bulimic. Also, I understand that you're supposed to be on a special diet and she eats cheetos, crunch n' munch, pringles, soda, micorwave burritos...that's not healthy even without the surgery.

I guess I'm just looking for a little insight from people who have had this surgery. Any help would be greatly appreicated.

Thanks!

Not normal.... Not normal at all.

Poor food choices too. There is no "special duet" for lap banders, but most banders try to NOT eat all if that processed food. Bulimia??? Maybe.

She's probably not bulimic, but her band may be a bit too tight and food cannot get through. When this happens there's no place for the food to go but up. Also, the foods you mentioned are "slider" foods that go thru even a too tight band easily.

She needs to see her bariatric surgeon.

Oh gosh no....that is not normal at all. She is likely too tight and if she isn't careful, will wind up with serious issues lke the need for the band to be removed, or have a revision or even worse. I don't know that you can say anything to her but she is involved in very risky behaviors either intentionally or not. I do hope she is working with her doctor to address this.

It's not normal. But if she's anything like me, she's not "throwing up" like a normal person throws up. The food is not getting into her stomach. It's getting stuck in her esophogas (sic) which makes her feel pressure in her chest. So she goes into the bathroom, bends over the toilet and it just comes out. And then she probably goes back to eating. Correct me if I'm wrong. That's happening because she's over eating and she's eating the wrong foods - she's basically eating like she's normal with no restrictions. She needs to learn how to eat with a band. That's the hard part. She's not bulimic IMHO.

@@cindyb163 she may not be "overeating". Some of us have developed pseudo achalasia from our bands and the first bite or even liquids can get stuck in the esophagus. Just want to avoid assuming this person doesn't have a true complication. I'm sure people thought I was bulimic in the months prior to band removal, if they didn't know what was going on. I lived on puréed cream soups, protein shakes and ice cream and lost weight because even that could get stuck because the valve at the bottom of the esophagus wouldn't relax and let food into my stomach.

In my case it was because my band was placed too high, but it happens more often than we think.