I want to thank you all for your replies. They have been very helpful and comforting. I am now 4 1/2 weeks post op and feeling much better. I did not stop taking my anti depressant and last week went back to taking it whole. The taste of crushed pills just multipled the anguish i was already in. Put that behind me thank God! Taking baby steps.... I know it can only get better, it has to considering how low I was. Jennifer

Have faith, everything will be well good luck.

One of the European surgeons I contacted regarding my revision from band to DS wrote back that fully 20% of his surgical practice was REMOVING LapBands and converting to other surgeries. So, yes, they have been placing the band longer in Europe and they do a lot more bands in Europe, but they take them out sooner when they prove to be the wrong choice for the individual patient. Before I was banded, another European surgeon told me that he thought the band was where wls should START...and if/when if proved unsuccessful, another choice could be made. The problem here, as I see, it that due to the cost and the insurance companies' involvement in the US, people who have bands that are not working for them--for any number of reasons--are encouranged to try harder and to "get back with the program," and to have slipping bands repositioned, and to try to live with band-caused reflux, and on and on...and often "blamed" for not doing their part, which is ridiculous. Sue

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses to my question about lapband regrets. You guys offered some really helpful information and advice. I will continue to check the board for more responses...Thanks again guys !!! Love, Rachel

I wanted to get a lap band. Less invasive, less expensive, adjustable, reversible. One major issue I had was allergic to plastics/silicone. Can't have implants either with any PS I might have to have. Had to have a plastic screw taken out of my foot 6 months after surgery. Surgeon said, No one has ever had to have this done. 6 month recovery for a 6 week recovery period. 3 days after screw taken out, my cast fell off from the swelling in my foot finally going down. I love all my surgeons and doctors. Do they ever over or under state something?? Sure, they are just human beings. They have opinions. They get comfortable with one procedure or another. Just do a lot of research and think outside the box. Worst case scenarios, best case scenarios. Can you live with either?? Then make your decision. I'll have RNY. It'll help with sugar/carb addictions (hopefully). It will result in the weight loss I need to bring several co morbids a little bit more under control. I'm not (knock on wood) allergic to metal as I give myself 2 shots a day. Does it mean I don't worry about the titanium staples. No I still worry. I'm just putting my faith in God and my surgeon. Sure can't go on the way I am right now. By the way, malabsorption is already a problem I have with vitamins, B12, iron. So I'll still be taking the same supplements I take now and occassionally have a B12 shot like I do now. Everyone is very individual. Their mind and body will make the decision clear for them when the time comes. My $.02 worth.