I hope everyone is doing well. Two years ago I had the band taken out after three years. During the two years it slipped twice. The second time it slipped it was because hospitalized with pneumonia. I managed to take off 85 pounds and reach my goal weight. Never in my 40 years have I ever came close to being at a healthy weight. I felt like a new person. I could walk into any store and buy clothes without having to trying them on. Since taking out the band I have put on 40 pounds. My surgeon will be submitting my request to my insurance anthem blue cross of California ppo tomorrow with a bmi of 36 and high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and my mother has type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. I really hope they approve my surgery.