I know how you feel! I had my band in 5-06 and just had it removed 11-1-07. I feel like a different person. I can eat a piece of chicken without running to the bathroom. I can eat a piece of toast without having to soak it in milk. My band was giving me problems since about 5 months post op. It got so bad that my 3 year old would look at me and say Moms food is stuck she has to go throw up. It was a horrible experience. I did not loose weight and I think that is because I ate whatever I could keep down which happened to be high fat and high carb foods. The surgeon that removed my band said that the band had started to erode into my stomach but since I was vomiting all the time the band had actually slipped up and was restricting my esophogus. NICE! Needless to say I am lucky to have had such an INCREDIBLE surgeon. Also, I feel SO much better already. In fact today I ate grilled chicken for the first time in well over a year! My advice to you is have the band removed! If your having these feelings and thoughts it is for a reason. Don't chance your long term health, it just is not worth it!
BEST of luck to you!