Thanks for clarifying where you get your info from.   

Laurel,

I am generally just a lurker here, but I thought I would reply. I had symptoms very similar to yours. I had a hiatal hernia and probably had it since my band was placed in late 2005. It was the source of my heartburn and reflux. But with all of the regurgitation from the hernia, I caused myself to have a band slip. I had upper GI and found the hernia - I had it repaired and the band repositioned. All has been fine since. Gained weight because I didn't have fluid put back in the band til yesterday.

Just like you, I put up with my symptoms for a very long time and they weren't from my band. I think your first course is determine if your symptoms are the band or something else. Then you will have the information to make a decision. I am going to give the band an opportunity to work. 

I had a lapband put in, in 2007.  I had complications from day 1.  I was in the hospital 4 days.  My port was placed just under my ribcage and I hit it when I do crunches, have sex, etc.  I never had a fill that even allowed me to swallow spit. I would go in for a fill and be back the next day for an unfill. I lost some weight but gained some back. I'm down about 25 from the initial surgery. I don't necessarily regret having the surgery.  If I had not, I'd probably be much heavier now than when I started but I'm just done with the band.

For the past few years I have had a lot of pb's. I've ended up developing bad eating habits because of it. The wrong stuff, sugar and flour items go down very quick but nothing good goes down.  Forget pineapple, broccoli, pork, chicken, shrimp, pasta, anything with fiber, scrambled eggs etc.  It all gets stuck more than it goes down. I've ignored it and just accepted it as part of life for a long time.  However, in the past few months the heart burn and throwing up has gotten so bad.  The heart burn just sucks so bad.  Nothing works. I have to sleep propped up etc. etc.

I finally saw a doctor today.  I have an appointment for an upper GI Wednesday and a follow up with him on Friday. Lurking on these boards and google searches I think I would want to convert to the sleeve. I'm 240, 5'7" now. I don't think a bypass would be good for me but I'd love to hear or rather read from others.

Anyone else have a similar story?  Which option did you choose?

"Just know for every successful band there is at least the same number who have had no success whatsoever even tho they followed all the rules for being banded"

Wow. That is a pretty sweeping statement .  Do you have any support for this? 

Actually, my hospital developed its own plan several years ago and it is marketed as our only option, it is an HMO, so many things are not covered, or like with a swallow test, even if my deductible is met I am still liable for the first $500, so everything ends up coming out of pocket, thank you for your information.