Hi, I am from Oregon and I weigh 247 and am 5'9"1/2 . I am being banded on October 15th by Dr.Ganta. He is in Austin Texas and he is doing my band through my bellie button. You have to have a BMI of no more than 44 to have it done in the bellie button. I am so happy not to have a scar! Also, in Oregon, you can have a BMI that is 35 to get the surgery, it just depends on each individual surgery center.i wish you all the best.