Hi All-

I've been lurking on the boards reading and enjoying y'all's helpful posts.

I have my evaluation for a lap band this monday and have a question I hope someone will have some insight on...

About 30 years ago I went though about a 5 year fight with bulimia. I finally beat it, but now weight 240. One of the questions on my questionaire asks "have you ever vomited or used laxatives for weight control?" Do you suppose if I say yes I won't be able to get approved for a lap band? I want to be truthful, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chance for getting one.....any opinions? Thanks!

I was in the same boat you are.... except my fight with bulimia was more recent. Some may disagree but I lied.

Its bad to say, but i lied also.

About 15 years ago I had a short time of binge/purge. It only happened a few times, so I never really considered myself bullemic per se. I did discuss it at my psych eval. She said as long as it was so many years ago and I had not attempted anything like that recently, it wasn't a concern for her.

I told the Psyc doc. I was bulimic for 16 years and beat it on my own 20 years ago. I can see being turned down if you were currently binging and purging, or still recovering from beating the habit.

Tell the Psyc doc. Your doctor makes you go through the screening process to insure the band will work for you. They don't do it in hopes of turning people down. It's in your best interest to tell all.

Good luck!

Jena

IMHO - if it happend once or twice, don't say anything. But seeing as it was a 5 year battle, I'd talk about it. Eating disorders are serious and I wouldn't lie. But this is just my opinion.

I also spent many years as a bulimic. I knew it was in my doctors record as I had a short relapse 6 years ago. Went for therapy immediately and beat it again. Needless to say I confessed. They watched me a little more carefully than some of their other candidates and perhaps I am asked to wait longer as I started in December and they still have not submitted the paper work. I am happy with my deicision.

Thanks for the non-judgemental replies! It's interesting that there are so many people with weight problems that have been bulimia--I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one!