BKdoll

I had my band removed and a gastric sleeve done last November 23. I had some of the same concerns you've voiced -- mostly because two doctors told me they suggested the RNY. But I was concerned about the idea of rerouting my intestines and I really wanted the sleeve, so that's what I did.
I've found that for me, the rate of weight loss has been faster than the band. And more steady. Comparatively, I think it's slower than RNY. The recovery time for me was longer -- I had a lot of scar tissue from the band. And it took more time before I was able to eat food. but now, 2 1/2 months out, I am able to eat solid Proteins that I had to avoid with the band. I don't miss the sliming, the reflux, the constant back and forth with the fills because we couldn't get it to the right place. I have no regrets, and I wish I would have given up on the band sooner.
I was a nervous wreck prior to surgery. In fact, I called the day before and asked to change my surgery to RNY. I wasn't able to because it required other tests. I'm surprised they let me continue with my surgery as much as I was flip-flopping.
As someone else mentioned, it's really a personal choice. After consulting the information and your doctor's, make the decision that, in your heart, you feel is right.

I got the band in 2006 and finally last year decided that I'd had enough of the sliming, throwing up, night reflux, etc. I wasn't eating healthy because I couldn't keep any solid food down, yet, I was surviving on cheetoes and not really losing much. I couldn't take medication - even tiny pills, because they'd get stuck.
On November 23, my band was removed and I got a sleeve. I love my sleeve (I wouldn't have said this back in December because I found the recovery more difficult than with the band), but now there are things that I missed all those years with the band that I'm so glad to have back: A few examples: 1. Real meals -- I can eat meat! and many other things that I hadn't had while I had the band. 2. No more waking up gasping for air because of reflux, or the horrible burning feeling in my chest. I sleep well, like a baby, now.
I wish I would have given up on the band sooner. No regrets.