Hello, I am new to this site - just received my surgery date (8/7/09). I am 5'2" and weigh 207. My BMI was not quite 40 and I have no significant health problems so I was very surprised that my insurance approved me. I did do a 6 month doctor monitored diet prior to being approved. Several of my friends/coworkers have had the surgery and swear by it. I know it is not a quick fix, but a life style change and am willing and ready to embrace that. I have only been struggling with weight loss for the past 15 years but have tried many diets during that time, gained some, lost some. I want the surgery so I can prevent health problems - diabetes, heart problems. I just want to enjoy life and be able to do things with my kids, grandkids. I want to be able to walk without being short of breath or my feet killing me. I think with the obesity epidemic today and the success of this surgery, it will become easier to get banded - hopefully insurance companies will see the savings on health issues down the road and start approving patients before their BMI is so high. Sorry if I sound like I am rambling but I am just so excited to finally have this procedure approved and a surgery date scheduled. I worried that I would not be appropriate by insurance standards and did not want to wait until health problems started and then try to get it approved.