Question:
Has anyone developed an eating disorder after surgery?

Hello I was wondering if anyone has developed an eating disorder after having the surgery, has it become an obession for you?    — Jennifer L. (posted on July 5, 2002)

July 5, 2002
Actually, I know someone who has become bulemic (sp?) since her surgery about 2 years ago. She's so afraid of gaining the weight back, she makes herself vomit when she eats. She is now participating in an eating disorder study (thank God!). I also know someone who I suspect has an eating disorder. She often over-eats, and ends up vomiting. Of course, if you said anything to her about it she'd deny it. For the first girl, yes, I would say it's an obsession. For the other, I don't think she even knows she's borderline bulemic. So, yes, it is a possibility.
   — Becky H.

July 5, 2002
Now that I'm post op my family sometimes wants to go to The Old Country Buffet. It was almost impossible to get them to go when I was pre op. Anywho, I can't eat at a child's price so I have to over eat to try to get my $9 in. So then I puke, then I eat again. It's the only way to get my money's worth. I don't do this often, but I will do it when I have to pay a fortune to eat.
   — Danmark

July 5, 2002
Daniel, you are saying that for a mere $9 you are willing to purposely over-eat, stretch out your pouch, and then throw-up? That isn't an eating disorder, but you may want to re-think it, if its really worth $9 to mess up a $25,000 surgery!
   — Cheri M.

July 6, 2002
Cheri, I don't do it very often and "I still can't eat to much". So I know it is'nt messing anything up. ;)
   — Danmark

July 7, 2002
Daniel, I'm really concerned about what you shared, both from an emotional standpoint, as well as from a physical one as intentional vomiting can cause erosion of the esophagus. I'm not trying to dump on you; I just feel pain at the thought of your doing this. Please consider taking about this with your therapist...and {{{Big Hugs}}}.
   — CaseyinLA

July 7, 2002
I don't have an eating disorder, but I too wanted to address Daniel's statement. Some dr's offer the resturant cards. I can go to our Country Buffet and eat for the price of an 8 year old which is $4.00....
   — candymom64

July 8, 2002
When I consider the number of times in my life that I've eaten more than my fair share at a buffet, I guess I owe them a few full price meals that I can't eat. And forcing yourself to eat to get your money's worth may not be an eating disorder, but it sounds like a disorder of some sort!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 8, 2002
I think you have to address your food issues before the surgery or you risk problems afterwards. I had largely (no pun intended ;) addressed my binge eating before I had surgery so I have no problems with eating small portions now. I feel that I am paying for the quality of the food, not the quantity. I order what I will enjoy and if I CAN take a doggie bag home I will. If I am not, I just enjoy what I can eat and don't feel bad about "wasting" the rest of the food. Sometimes you can get half portions if you ask. A month after I had surgery I went to an all-you-can-eat lobster dinner. They provided child care and it was a treat for my husband and I to go out just the two of us. I guarantee you I didn't eat $35 worth, but I did have a bite of everything and it was wonderful. I definitely feel I got my money's worth! The folks I worry about are the ones who come out of the surgery wanting to know how soon they can eat an ultimate cheeseburger. (I'm not kidding--that was a question at one of our support group meetings!)
   — ctyst