I totally regret the band.  When I was trying to get approved the insurance person told me that it was a good place to start.  But when it didn't work the RNY was the way to go.

I have tried to work with the band since 2006, and have gone up and down the same 40 lbs over and over and over during that time.  Slip, too tight, too loose, you name it.

If you have problems with water retention during the month: BEWARE.  That makes your stomach swell too.  I actually resorted to taking a diuretic for about three days before my period.  Good way to know when Mother Nature is coming... but a pain none the less.  The band is fickle.  One day you can eat an egg for breakfast... the next day you can't even swallow coffee.  It is insane really.  Everyone that knows I have it would never do it because they have seen the hell it has put me through.

Now I am here 3+ years later no results, lots of money spent, lot of frustration, and now approved for the RNY.  Go figure.

That being said... there are alot of ladies on the lapband forum that have done a great job.  Wonderful results.   So it really depends on your body.

Good luck!

 Almost 9 years out from my original RNY proximal.  Had a hernia and bowel obstruction repaired last Oct.  I was low on my vitamin D about 3 years out but some of that was my doing...I did not realize the importance of vitamin intake.  

You have to remember vitamins are MANDATORY daily and for the rest of your life from day one!  No excuses, No options...  Since I have followed my regime, my levels have been ok.

The other thing to realize is protein levels.  I am continuously on the low side.  Again, like the vitamins, it is necessary to increase protein intake daily.  

Other then that, no other issues.  I would definitely do it again!  My life has changed to the better in so many ways because of WLS. 

 I am almost 6 years post op. I did have quite a bit of rebound weight gain. I am prone to vitamin deficiencies of b-12 and vitamin D... I did not know I was deficient in vitamin D for years, no one thought to check so I developed osteomalacia... which caused bone, joint pain and chronic fatigue. I supose having chronic fatigue wouldn't help in weightloss. I was admitted to hospital for unexplained abdominal pain about 2 years post op... they thought it was a bowel obstruction but wasn't... it might have been kidney stones from rapid weightloss but they don't know... it just mysteriously went away. I do have hypoglycemia which doesn't really have any rhyme or reason... I just get sick.  My first two years were great, I felt great and I lost weight! When the vitamin deficiencies started showing up I started feeling bad... I lost focus and was depressed. Sometimes I regret the surgery because realistically I do have more health problems now than before. I also blame myself... surgery fixes your tummy but it doesn't fix your head. If emotional problems are what lead you to over eat get help for them along w/ your weightloss surgery. Follow all the rules, follow ALL the rules..no matter how far out you are. I am getting better but it's only w/ a lot of research.... I don't think doctors know all of the side effects of weight loss surgery they are still learning. 

i am also out 5 years.  since than i have become hypoglycemic also with no rhyme or reason.  my  A & D vitamin has tanked.  right now at this very moment i am in bed doing a bowel prep for tomorrow.  i think i have developed an ulcer so i am getting scoped both ways.  i had bounce back weight of 50 pounds, but now i have these problems.  maybe wouldnt mind so much if i were thinner. LOL
what really bothers me is the hypoglycemia, its a crappy crappy feeling.  the iowest i can remember my sugar is 38.
Gina

You can't bundle all WLS together -- the above may apply to malabsorptive effects, but the band and vertical sleeve gastrectomy do not cause malabsorption.  The VSG in particular does not block food either so you don't have slimes, productive burping, dumping etc... either.