| Understanding the Risks of Developing Eating Disorders after Bariatric Surgery
As ironic as it may sound, a bariatric surgery can help a person dramatically shed off pounds, but may also be the culprit behind the development of an eating disorder. One may easily think that an eating disorder is laughable, especially when you’ve had weight issues for the majority of your existence. However, because of how bariatric surgery manipulates the way the stomach receives, holds and digests food, many folks fall prey to disordered (read: less than normal) eating habits that later on could turn into a full-blown disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, but not limited to these.
Let’s take a closer look at why: People who have had bariatric surgery may post-surgically experience frequent nausea and vomiting when they return to their pre-surgery eating habits. This is because the stomach is now a lot smaller and can longer hold the same amount of food. The vomiting is also brought about by inadequate chewing, or eating too quickly.
Post-bariatric patients can see this as an advantage: Getting food out by vomiting is then regarded as a means to prevent gaining weight and keeping thin.
If vomiting isn’t a problem, some may develop the unhealthy practice of chewing then spitting their food out. Tasting the food gives them pleasure, but swallowing it is an entirely different story, as that would mean gaining weight with it.
These habits may seem harmless at first, but can later on develop into digestive complications and more serious disorders that also cripple one’s personal and social life. In the end, there isn’t going to be a big difference from when obesity was the problem.
If these signs become apparent post-surgery, it is important to discuss them with one’s bariatric surgeon or physician immediately.
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