I had band paid for by blue shield of California. A few years later it slipped and I changed to anthem blue cross of California PPO who paid for band removal. Do you think since they paid for removal my chances of getting approved for sleeve is good?

Historically blue cross has a lifetime limit of 2 bariatric surgeries, I too had a failed band with removal and am now 2 weeks post sleeve

I had my band removed two years ago and now want to get the sleeve. I'm thinking insurance will consider it a brand new surgery

True you will have to go thru all the same stuff, endoscopy, psych evaluation, and any medical testing

I was very lucky - because my band leaked, the removal and sleeve were approved in a month. I did not have to qualify all over again.

I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. They paid for my band in 2012 and paid for its removal and my sleeve two weeks ago with no problems at all. I just had to pay my maximum out of pocket of $3,200 for the removal/sleeve. I didn't have to jump through any hoops at all.