Hello All!

I started my gastric sleeve journey in January of this year. I have United Healthcare insurance which covers gastric sleeve. My BMI is 38. According to my policy, they will cover it if I have a co-morbidity.

I went for my initial consultation at the South Carolina Obesity Center here in Columbia, SC. Dr. Givens recommended the gastric sleeve. Two weeks later I had a sleep study done and low and behold I have sleep apnea. So there is my co-morbidity.

I was also instucted to be on a 3 month supervised diet. I went to every weigh in appointment and all the classes.

On April 17th it was my pre op diet appointment with the dietician. My last hoop to jump through. At this point I am thinking...heck yeah!

Just got a call today that UHC has denied my surgery due to the fact that my BMI is too low and I do not have a co-morbidity. I informed the pre-determination counselor that I do in fact have sleep apnea. She replies that she sees that and doesn't know why they have denied it but a peer to peer consultation is suppose to take place this week between UHC's Medical Director and Dr. Givens.

Well I am a little down in the dumps. I know that it doesn't mean 100% no but its not a yes either.

Has anyone else had any experience with this? Is it normal procedure for United Healthcare to deny on the first go round? Also, does anyone know if the peer to peer meeting usually goes well?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am really trying to keep a positive attitude.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you!! It really did!

Surgery date is Sept. 17th!! Now the liquid diet begins.

Congratulations!!!! I'm new here but read your story and hoped that things would work out! Great great news.

So I was sleeved on Sept. 17th! I seem to be doing good. I am currently trying to get used to all the different signals my tummy is sending me. I do feel hunger pains all the time. However, according to the wonderful people on this forum, not only is it normal, but will go away with time. Thanks all of you who are keeping up with my tiny slice of cyberspace and let me know if I can help.

So I was sleeved on Sept. 17th! I seem to be doing good. I am currently trying to get used to all the different signals my tummy is sending me. I do feel hunger pains all the time. However' date=' according to the wonderful people on this forum, not only is it normal, but will go away with time. Thanks all of you who are keeping up with my tiny slice of cyberspace and let me know if I can help.[/quote']

Can't wait for some before/after pics!!! Yay!!! Hang in there.