Hi Roch
Glad that you are doing ok(ish) and that things are at least on the move for you.
Just a suggestion, but why not do as the surgeon wants and go back in 4 weeks. See how much you have lost by then and then re-evaluate your options and get into a discussion about realistic time spans.
He has a medically based reason for stating 4 weeks (perhaps the diet he has put you on is not 'safe' for longer than 4 weeks).
I would hazard a guess that you will have lots oodles in 6 weeks but expecting to lose 3.5 stone in a month is an enormous goal so don't be harsh on yourself if it doesn't happen.
You have done brilliantly to get down to 26.5 ! Wahayy!
If you can drop your BMI to 53 then realistically, how much longer would it take you to drop it to 50? Why not see where you get to after the 4 weeks first, then see if you can hazard a guess at taking it down 50 and IF that seems like a realistic and achiveable thing to do (although you will have to be patient coz, as we all fricking know, it doesn't come off as fast as we want, EVER!!)... then hang on a few more weeks and then he will have NO arguement against the op..
If the band is what you truly beleive is the operation for you then I think that's probably your best bet.
I guess it's a case of weighing up the pros and cons of each op and deciding if you want to continue trying to lose weight for longer and have the op you want, or lose weight for the time span they give and then have an alternative op which should be just as effective ultimately (I guess - I dunno the difference to be honest.. lol)
Anyway, whatever decisions you come to, I hope the diet is ok still and you aren't hungry on it. (I hate it when you're on a diet and could eat yer fist!!!).
Take good care of yourself Roch.
Will be rooting for you and hoping in 4 weeks time that you are delighted with the fruits of your labours! xx