My doctor said I should get the sleeve and remove my band

Ok it has been almost two years and I have gained back all of my weight execept 6 pounds do I feel bad about it yes. Am I trying to fix it yes and no. I am an emotional eater and I have been going through alot in the last year that I just did not foresee happening. Yes I have been eating around my band. I got a fill yesterday and was still about to eat a normal size plate in my opinion. I can't eat like I did two years ago but I know that I eat alot for the amount that is in my band. They told me that I have the vanguard band and it can hold up to 15cc and I am at 12cc. So you do the math. Trust me I have been beating my self up about this. I just feel like such a failure.  Should I remove the band and do the sleeve but who says that will work if I can eat around the band what makes me think that I can't over eat with that also. I am just at a lost.  Chastity

Have you tried speaking to a therapist about your emotional problems?  Maybe that would help?  I havent been banded yet so it frightens me to see such things happen.  We all eat for various reasons.  Which ones will be the trigger for me? 

I am so sorry that you have gained your weight back and that you are struggling so much!  I can't suggest what to do, but I wanted to point out, your emotional eating issues will still be there when you get the sleeve (unless you resolve the issues).  With the sleeve, you will be eating just a few bites of food at each sitting.  The way to eat around the sleeve, graze on food all day (which is one of the main ways to eat around the band).  I'd hate to see you get a more drastic surgery if portion control isn't helping you now... I encourage you to talk with someone to work through the issues!

I think the sleve is a great surgery and if your band is not restricting the amount you can eat maybe looking further into another option is reasonable...but you might also need to look into why you eat.   I am a boredom eater...I have had to make sure I am not bored...ever!  As an emotional eater you are going to have to find other ways to deal with stress...that might not be easy, but it can be done.  I am never one to push to therapy, but maybe a few sessions with someone who deals with eating disorders (over eating is a disorder too) might help you learn to deal...or overeaters annonymous.... just something to think about... Good luck! :) Sheli

Hi Chastity, I'm sorry you have been going through some rough times. It sounds like you need to take care of whats going on in your head. Seek out a therapist that can help you work through your issues. It may take some time for you to heal and feel healthy in your mind but in order for any WLS to work you must work on that also. Do that before you endure another surgery that may fail because you are not working on the problem. I wish you all the best and a BIG HUG for you, Maureen

Chastity, From hanging around the main surgery board, I have noticed that all types of WLS patients have to deal with emotional eating, boredom eating, & other food issues.  WLS only fixes your stomach, not your head.  I don't think another surgery is going to solve your problems.  If I were you, I would try counseling before I resorted to another surgery.  I see a counselor every 2 weeks and it helps me a lot.  Might be worth a try... Jean

You have my deepest sympathies.  It sounds like you've learned some things about yourself thru all this.  I think you could probably learn even more with therapy.  I don't know about additional surgery, if you want it, then maybe go for it.  I think emotional eating sounds like all of us.  Good luck to you.

Is it possible that you still need more fill? You siad you can still eat a normal plateful of food. Don't judge your restriction on the numbers, but on how you feel. I was at 4.3cc in my 4cc band and perfectly restricted. That might be the answer...combined with some relaxation exercises to deal with the stress in a way other than food.

The sleeve is just another restrictive procedure and you can eat around it just like you can eat around the band.

Chastity, try to get some help in the way of counseling or therapy.  There is no WLS that you cannot eat around at some point.  There is no window of opportunity with the band-it will work when you are ready to work it.

 The head part of this is the hardest part of all.  Your body is just teling you it's time to work on that head a bit.

I am so sorry that you have been going through so much!  So many of us are emotional eaters and I think that you knowing that and recognizing it, is a lot of the battle. I would have to say that I would not think that another surgery is going to make a difference here.  I think you would have a MUCH better experience if you met with the person (of possible) who did your psych eval before your surgery. I can say BRAVO to you that you posted here.  this is a great place to get back on track because we all try to be so supportive!  YOU CAN MAKE THIS WORK FOR YOU and we are all here to help pick you up, dust you off, and give you a kick in the rear to get back up & keep going! Check with your insurance and see if counseling is covered & if it is not, try to see if there is a service in your area that is based on income and go from there  But please, get to the root of the eating issue and deal with that before you decide to have another surgery! Remember, we are all here for you!