I’m trying to wrap my head around eating with a bypass versus a lapband. (I currently have a deflated lapband, I’m hoping for revision to a bypass when the lapband comes out.)

After eating a small amount with the lapband, I felt literal restriction. And if I overate, I vomited, almost immediately.

I understand that with a bypass, since your stomach pouch is so small, you feel full quickly. But from what I’m reading, you don’t usually vomit if you eat too much. Rather some people “dump,” which from what I’m reading happens internally and out the other end.

What I’m having a hard time understanding is how you feel full and are forced to stop eating if there is no restriction and you can get down whatever you want, with the consequences only coming later, no vomiting.

Do you feel so full from the smaller stomach area that you just can’t fathom eating more than you should? Is the dumping consequence so severe and regular that you instinctively don’t eat enough to cause it ever again once you experience it once?

I was successful losing and keeping off 60 lbs with the band. Mostly because I either ate small enough portions to avoid vomiting or because I vomited if I ate too much. I’m trying to wrap my head around what eating (and overeating) will feel like with the bypass and without the restriction of the band. Any experiences you are willing to share?

actually, most of us don't dump. About 30% do. It CAN involve vomiting, but it more commonly involves chills, sweating, racing heart, and diarrhea. It can be controlled by limiting your intake of sugar (or for some people, fat)

you will definitely feel less restriction from bypass than you do with lapband, from everything I've read. But you'll still feel it. Your "full" cues might be different as well. I feel kind of a pressure in my chest, and that means that if I don't quit eating, I'm going to be sorry. Others' have cues such as sneezing, hiccupping, or a runny nose (although cues like pressure are more common).

I rarely vomit any more - but yes - I will if I ignore my "full" signal and keep shoveling in the food. That's what (usually) keeps me from pushing the envelope.

I'll give you an example of my meal going on 5 months. 2 ounces pork, 1 ounce brown rice. I could not nor did I want any more food for the next 4 hours. It feels like stomach restriction to me versus throat tightness of the lapband. If I don't chew well enough or eat too fast or too much, I do feel sick or I get the foamies. I have never dumped so I can't speak to that experience. But the foamies is very very similar to the lapband pressure but it lasts for hours on end instead of once and you are relieved. That is my personal experience.

Juniper, I’m in the exact same place. I had severe reflux and had all the fluid taken out of my band. I quickly gained 20 lb over the 40 I had gained back over the last 2 years or so. I am approved for revision to bypass and am hoping to have it near the end of Feb. I had the exact same question . I would get stuck with the band and could either tough it out or eject the stuck item. I often chose eject and am wondering if you can do the same after bypass.

I am about 6 weeks out of my revision from lap band to bypass and from my experience it is way different. It is a whole new way of learning to eat and seeing what you can tolerate and what you cannot. I do not get the 'full' feeling like I did with the band and I am bummed about that. I am learning that I am getting a new 'full' feeling that I am getting used to that has started to help me now that I have experienced it. I don't know if I have had dumping or not. I have had frequent diarrhea getting used to foods but not sure its technically dumping. I haven't had it in connection with consuming sugar or the sweaty, racing heart thing. I have started to lose weight and I am happy about that part but definitely a different process than the band. Good Luck to you!

Have you gotten stuck like what happens with the lap band?

On 1/21/2022 at 3:20 PM, Daddyof4 said:

Have you gotten stuck like what happens with the lap band?

I’d like to know this too!!

To me, RNY feels completely natural compared to the lap band. Maybe it's because for me, Lap Band was more like a torture device than anything else. When I eat my portion, I feel completely satisfied, in a natural way, unlike Lap Band.

I have to admit tho, I seem to have had an easier recovery than a lot do. No nausea, vomiting or intolerance of any foods that I've tried so far. I'm seven weeks post op Band to RNY.

Hi Bypass, I have been absent, sorry. I had my revision March 21, I can’t believe it’s been 6 months! I now know how eating with bypass is different from with the band. It feels more natural to me too. I started out following the guidelines to the letter but have since slacked off a bit. I meet with the nutritionist tomorrow and the physician assistant Wednesday; they will help me get back on track. My recovery was pretty easy, I was lucky. The surgery pain only lasted a week (except for sneezing!). have been able to eat any food I’ve tried and have only vomited when I failed to stop eating after getting my signal - hiccups. I’m down about 73 lb but still want to lose a little more. I’m trying to hit the gym 3 x a week but most weeks it’s only 2. I have a ton more energy and my blood pressure is under control. I hope you’ve had similar successes, thanks to my surgeon. Let me know how you are doing now. Take care.