bulimia and acid reflux issues

Since my last fill (almost two years ago) I developed a horrible case of acid reflux. There are nights that it's so bad I can't sleep in fear of choking. I have also been inducing vomiting after eating. I think it's because I eat too fast and too much and I get that overly full sensation that is very uncomfortable. I had my surgery done in another state and have not been able to find a doctor here that deals with the band (the one that does won't touch you if she hadn't banded you). I am heading down south to see my surgeon next week. I'm somewhat afraid to have a fill because I don't want the reflux to get worse. I don't want to tell my doctor about the vomiting in fear he won't do a fill and I know I desperately need one. If you stretch your pouch out, does tightening the band help make it smaller, or not?

Karen, You need to be completely honest with yourself and all your medical practitioners. You need help and another fill when you are vomiting regularly and suffering from acid reflux is dangerous and could cause major complications. Asking for medical advice regarding tightening your band to make your pouch smaller on the Boards is not a good idea. We know a lot but you need to ask your practitioners this question. In your profile you describe your surgeon as lacking in empathy and compassion. It sounds like you may feel a little intimidated and uncomfortable talking to your bariatric doc. Is there someone else on his staff you feel more comfortable with? Perhaps the nurse practitioner or PA? I am worried about you. You have fallen into a very self-destructive pattern. Bulimia is a very serious condition. Did you have this pattern of behavior before you were banded? It is not unusual for us to form eating disorders and I think you have. You need to address this issue with your PCP and bariatric team before you even consider another fill. Please, take care of yourself and consider going to a bulimic Overeaters Anonymous meeting as soon as possible and contacting a mental health worker that specializes in bulimia. Karen, if you need someone to really talk to email me ([email protected]) and I will call. Be Well, Christine

I agree with Christine you need to find a medical person you are comfortable with and discuss the problem. Best of luck.

Karen, first I want to send you a big hug because you sound like you really need one. It seems that after surgery many people exchange one eating disorder for another and quite honestly I see a lot of posts on this site that encourage/support a lot of very unhealthy behaviors. I guess my eyes opened a lot when I was doing some research on bulemia and found some pro- ana and pro-mia sites that portray anorexia and bulemia as lifestyle choices rather than the serious health issues that they are. amazingly the posts on those sites were often word for word what I see posted on these boards in relation to diet and attitudes about food. there is a lot of denial about how very dysfunctional some of these behaviors are and how sad it is that people encourage and support others in such very unhealthy behaviors. I believe it is in innocence and maybe just not understanding how very serious it is, and when so many people are "supportive" it normalizes the abnormal. I have gone thru some big issues myself and found my self on the edge of falling into a really serious problem. I had to have therapy and do some really hard work and still am and I am sure will for a verylong time to come. It is critical that you speak honestly with your Dr. about all of your issues. Reflux is serious. It can cause permanent changes in the lining of yor esophagus that can lead to esophageal cancer. My DH has this precancerous condition called Barretts disease and I live in fear that his next biopsy will be cancer. He has to be scoped every 2 years and biopsied. Getting the reflux under control is a priority! Please, please please take care of your self in this way. I have had some issues with reflux and I find if I eat too fast or too much it is pretty bad too. So I am working on all that and taking nexium as well. I dont know a lot about the band as I have an RNY. but with any procedure total honesty and openess with your surgeon is critical.