I am considering lap band surgery, I have been to several seminars but I would like to ask people who have had it done about their experiences and if they are happy with their decision or not. I would like to know about any negative feelings you might have as well. Thanks, Rhonda :)

I would go visit the Lapband board.  There are a lot of people unhappy with it and end up revising to RNY or VSG.

Check out all your options and don't just focus on one type of surgery.  I was set on the Lapband until I spoke with my surgeon and he discouraged me on it and pointed me to RNY, which has been a very good choice for me.

I guess what I am saying is keep an open mind and look at all the options available to you before you decide.

 I agree with the first post...check out all surgeries. It has to be up to you, but PLEASE do your research on the band. I have not heard may good things about it lately. (some it may be good for, others not) read read and read before you make your decision. I was going to go with the band at first too, but the surgeon actually told me that there are better results with the RNY and he prefers to do that over the band lately. I will have the RNY in a few short months. 

I suggest you visit the Revision board, where you'll find a lot of people who've having their Band removed and having a different form of WLS. There's also a Failed Lapband group here you can join.

I had my band for 7 years , so in my opinion I gave it one hell of a try. Had surgery at Stanford with poor after care.
4 years out I changed doc ( thank God) I really didn't have to many problems with my band but my esophagus burned/stung all the time , even with water, my esophagus became part of my stomach and would hold food and that was very painful until it went into the top part of the band, I would be fine for about 10 mins them when the food went through the stoma ( opening to the larger part of the stomach, it would hurt,hurt,hurt till it went through.
I lost 52 lbs the first year with no restriction ( so i was on my own) the second year I lost about 25-30 ish then started gaining no matter what I did, then I just gave up...you CAN'T diet forever and keep your weight off. I got the band after loosing 160 lbs on a liquid diet and after about 4 years of keeping it off i started gaining.
I was converted to RNY a little less than 3 month ago and I have no pain when I eat, and I have the NORMAL feeling of full/satisfied instead  of the un natural feeling of full with the band.
I know the band works for some people but in all good conscience I could not recommend it to anyone, unless they had very little weight to loose.
My NEW doc is taking out more bands than he is putting in. If you are looking for restriction only , meaning you won't go gung ho over sugar the sleeve may be good for you , you would have automatic restriction instead of waiting months or up to a year to have restriction, if you want the added help of malabsorbtion  you may want to do RNY, I am very happy I did RNY....will I gain my weight back?? I don't know, anyone can eat around any of the surgeries.
Best wishes in whatever you choose

I wouldn't wish the lapband on satan himself! It is the least effective WLS, many of us after 3-4 yrs start having issues with tighening even without fills, slips and erosions are fairly common not to mention acid reflux. The biggest mistake I've made in my whole life was to get the lapband. If I had insurance that covered a revision I'd switch to a sleeve in a heartbeat. I can never in good concience advise anyone to get a lapband, they are evil at best.

8.5 years out and I am still happy with mine.

Is it right for EVERYONE? No.
Will it work for EVERYONE? No.
Should you evaluate ALL your options? YES.
 

Think twice, cut once.

Research ALL VIABLE OPTIONS before you decide on one.

I myself can't wait to get the darn thing out and get sleeved.  Hope to get it scheduled soon without having to resort to emergency surgery.

That said, there are many Happy Bandsters.

The band has such a bad record that the company I used to work for put an exclusion to just the Lapband when employees seek wls.  In the 8 years I've been out here, I"m seeing more and more problems arise .  Check out these forums:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/complications/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/any_wls_regrets/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_aro und/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/

Then learn about the VSG, DS and RNY.

Please, please do your research before you take the lap band plunge. Some insurances only cover one bariatric procedure per life time, I was lucky to be able to revise. Make sure you go for the one you really want before you make a decision.

 I would seriously reconsider having lap band surgery if I were you..  save yourself a lot of grief down the road with a revision surgery.

 Try it! you will have a great result! :)