hi, i've come to the end of my rope, i'll be 50 next february and have been fat since i would say the 2nd grade. for the last 10-15 years as i've gotten older, several health concerns have arisen. as doctor's been telling us for years. i've been hospitalized at least 3 times for congestive heart failure and the last time 3 years ago, after a weight gain of over 100 pounds, they found out i had severe sleep apnea. while in the hospital, lasiks was intravenous given to me and with a low salt, low calorie diet, i was able to lose over 100 pounds. back to the sleep apnea, the hospitals tried the c-pap machine, but i wasn't able to withstand the air forces, so for my benefit (but my detriment (sp?) ) i was place with a trach. i've learned to live with this damn thing and i won't it out, but alas to get it out an additional 100 lbs have to be lost. but that was 2004, after going from 418lbs in the hospital to 300lbs when i was released 3 months later after being in an after care facility, today, i'm back at 352. i know....it's a shame and i'm ashamed. i now feel my life is going from bad to worse and if i don't do something now, it'll be too late. the last time i saw my pulmonary doctor, he asked if i've considered weight loss surgery. i wasn't sure then, but now with all of the shows on tlc (the learning channel) and my mother, i'm really ready. while talking with the pulmonary doctor he says that my bcbs insurance would take care of it. all i would have to do is get another doctor including himself and the paperwork and other things that's included and i could get the surgery. now, the bad part, i called blue cross and blue shields today and they state there's a provision that stops me for getting the surgery. my employee booklet is at home and i'll have to look that up. but what i wanted to ask after all this history and sob story i've given, can this be fought? thank you all for your help. i've been reading the threads and i have hope, maybe there's something i can do or have doctors do so i can get this surgery. it can't be thought of as cosmetic surgery, it's life and death, my life.

Hopefully you have gotten approval.