Would you do it again? Everyone please answer

I would without a doubt do it again!  On Wed (8-12) I am one year out.  Today I am down 70lbs!  I have lost weight before, but never this amount.  I feel great!  For the FIRST time in my life I am a runner.  I ran 2.5 miles strait!  I have lots of energy.  I have gotten rid of all my fat clothes (except the biggest pants I used to wear all the time) I know I look good.  And I am still losing.  I have had no complications.  I have been stuck less than a handful of times my fault..got too hungry and swallowed too soon.  I do not drink soda anymore, been over a year now.  Sometimes I miss the carbonation.  I had a beer last weekend....first carbonation...didn't miss it, so won't do it again.  Food wise, if chicken breasts are cooked right, I can eat them.  Otherwise since my last fill it does tend to not go down very easily.  I don't eat bread very often either.  Not because it gets stuck I just choose not to. 

About 5 months ago I made a committment to exercise and really put my band to use.  I work out with a trainer 5-6 days a week.  I bust ass.  My skin will not sag, and I will have nice muscles when it's all said and done.

This is a VERY personal decision for both of you to make, but good for you for seeking out stories and other peoples opinions because afterall they are like a##holes....everyone has one  You just have to find what's right for you.

Good luck to you and your sis.

 To think I originally showed this thread to my wife to talk about the pros and cons of being banded.  I really hope she doesn't read the thread.  What an embarrassment you all are.

I've been banded for over 4 years.  I knew I didn't want  any type malabsorbtion surgery (I'm terrible about taking vitamins...which you still need to do with the band for the record).
I'm not at goal, but my weight has been more stable than ever.   Since being banded I've had a baby, breast fed her for 11 months, and now I'm 3 months pregnant again.   So really for  the last two years weight loss hasn't really been a priority.  

I've also never exercised regularly.  Not being at goal is totally my fault. 

If the sleeve was available 4 years ago I would have researched that.  I'm a self pay and fills do get expensive.   But I do love the fact that the band is adjustable.

I have no regrets about getting banded. 

I started out at 270 and today I weigh 206.  I'm 5'8 and I want to weigh around 180.   Hopefully I can get there soon after this baby is born.

I strongly suggest researching all the surgeries available...just keep an open mind and choose the best one for YOU.
Good luck,
Amy

I would do it again in a heart beat!  I've lost 61 pounds and no longer have to take blood pressure medicine.  I can eat ground beef and I don't miss the sodas.  I bought 5 or more 64 oz Diet Mt. Dews a week so you know I loved them!  I can eat anything I want but just not as much as I would if I didn't have the band.  I haven't had any problem with the band. I love my band!

No, I would not do it again but I DO know several people who have had great success with their bands. Unlike many of the others posting here, I had NO problems with heartburn, acid reflux, et****IL I got the band.

I followed ALL the rules and took the Nexium when it was added to my regime. I doubled the dose of Nexium and took it in the AM and the PM as directed. I had the band filled, unfilled, filled, unfilled, over a period of 3+ years and continued to get worse. I stopped eating at 5 PM and went to bed at 1 AM but still awakened after an hour or so choking on acid reflux, coughing, and crying from the fire burning feeling in my esophagus. I did not have a slip or erosion. Fruits and vegetables and other high fiber foods were banished from my diet because I could not keep them down and my weight loss stopped.

I researched other WLS options and went with the sleeve. For ME, the sleeve IS the right surgery. I can eat anything but feel full quickly and simply eat less food. I follow the rules and take a MVI and Nexium (low dose) but have never experienced acid reflux again. Like any weight loss surgery, I know I can regain weight if I don't stick to a plan and make life long changes. I followed the band rules and now I follow the sleeve rules and stick to 3 healthy meals a day. I feel great, the weight loss is great, and I am happy that I found the right surgery for me. Had I known about when I got the band, I would opted for the sleeve then.

That said, I know many people who have had different types of WLS (I work in a bariatric center of excellence). There are successes and failures with the lapband, the sleeve, and RNY. Because we don't have a lot of people opting for DS, I am not qualified to give an opinion.

The bottom line is that you should NOT have ANY WLS until you research all your options, determine what type of eater you are, and feel comfortable in your choice. While you want to do this with your sister, it could very well be possible that you and she might need different WLS procedures. Good luck in your process of discovery.