I'm going through the banding process now myself, I have a BMI of 60 and I don't have to lose any extra weight to be banded. I have to go to the nutritonist for three months while keeping track of my food, then I meet with the doctor, one support group meeting before surgery and 8 afte, I am looking forward to being able to wear shorts lol, I wish u luck. Check with your insurance and doctor to see what you qualify for, also look on youtube for over 200lbs succes stories I look at a few every night and I can not weight to be one of them!!!