luv2cook

I was banded twice in seven years. The first band slipped and my doctor put in a wider band that was less prone to slippage. It worked great until recently. I couldn't even keep down 2 oz. of water to take with my daily pills and have had frequent heartburn. Oddly enough, I've been eating a lot at night. I put on 20 lbs. of the 100 lbs. lost. My doctor believes the band has eroded into my stomach due to being so tight. I failed a barium swallow test and he deflated the band. The problem is, I'm eating like crazy now! I feel like a person who just came out of prison! It's so disgusting I can't help myself. To make a long story short, my doctor warned me that all his patients were denied revision surgery UNLESS they had a BMI of at least 35. Mine is 31. On the one hand, he's telling me to stay focused and not gain any weight before doing the surgery, but on the other hand, he's telling me the insurance company won't approve a revision with a BMI under 35. This is a catch 22. What am I supposed to do? The band has been my lifeline for 7 years. I can't live without the "restriction" it provides. It has helped me maintain my weight. Any and all advise is appreciated!