Well, I was scheduled to have my sleeve done tomorrow 2/29/12. Or so I thought. What was actually given to me was a 'tentative date'. Turns out my insurance has denied me. After I spent 2 weeks on a liquid diet, prepared my self mentally, got my family on board, and filled out the FMLA for work I found out I don’t 'meet the criteria'. Apparently I have to have a BMI of 50 or more. Mind you I went through 6 months of hell & even lost 15lbs in the process. Now to be told I'm not eligible. My heart is broken. Insurance said I can have gastric bypass (no thanks) or the band (Not sure). My only hope now is my surgeon. He is going to call the insurance to try at persuade them into letting me have the sleeve. So, now more waiting (Surgeon cannot call till Thursday). So much for my leap day sleeve. New 'tentative date' is 03/14/12. I just hope I can have the sleeve. I could really use some good vibes from everyone. thanks!

p.s. My Surgeons office definitely dropped the ball somewhere for letting me go on for 6 months thinking I was getting this. Then, 2 weeks of liquid for no damn reason.

I am sending you a PM.

I have highmark blue shield. They said I was denied because I have a BMI less than 50. Thats all I got. The denial letter is in the mail & apparently no one there has the power to fax me a copy. And' date=' yes I was approved for Bypass or Band. Not the sleeve.[/quote']

I have Highmark Bcbs & am going thru the same thing only I knew I would likely get denied initially. But then I called highmark to check the status & was told it was approved & everything was a go only to get a denial letter. Called to see what i needed to do & of course got the run around. But they did tell me i was approved for the band or bypass. I dont want either if those. So my surgeon called & did the peer-2-peer review and got nowhere so I will be sending in my 1st appeal letter this week. Fingers crossed they will reverse their decision. I am sending in a copy of the asmbs updated position statement on the vsg that was released on 10-28-11 so im hoping that helps. Good luck to you in your journey. Keep us updated!!

I hope it all works out & I'm not giving up even though I want too. Tasherie that letter is phemoninal. Would you mind if I used some of it? @ Bella, it sucks having to do this. Have you appealed? And do you have a pre-op diet? I'm hoping my Surgeons word will help, if not I will be pleading my case to the "board", which is basically one person. Im also on month 7

Sure I don't mind. If you have any questions just IM me.