Empire Plan denial - 6 wks from surgery HELP!!!

Hi everyone.  I've already gone through most of my testing through Ellis and got a call today that Empire BC/BS is denying my surgery.  I'm scheduled for September 23, 2008.  They said that they needed 6 months on a weight loss program.  I did Weigh****chers at work and in 18 weeks gained 2 pounds.  (Why would I pay to gain weight?)  I also went to LA Weight Loss for 2 years and now they have closed and there is no information available for them so I can't get documentation from them.  Any advice?  Anyone else run into problems with the Empire Plan?  I'm disgusted and don't want to give up, but I'm at a loss.  I'd appreciate any help.
Thank you.

Double check on the "weight loss program" part of that sentence.  I was required to be on a medically supervised diet for Aetna.  However... if I went through my primary care physician it had to be for 6 months.  If it was through my bariatric surgeons' office then it only needed to be 3 months.  And they go by the number of visits, not the actual months.  I have my first appt this monday, then one scheduled for Sept, one in the beginning of Oct and they said I would be cleared for the middle of October.  That's really only 2 months supervised, but I'm not questioning it.

Good luck

First of all.. good luck with whatever you choose to do.
I went through Albany Med, but I have the same insurance as you. I called before I started the WLS prep and asked the insurance company what they require. They told me the same thing that you have to get a doctor/nutrition doctor to help you/sign off on your weigh in's for 6 months. I also found out I have sleep apnea.. so that helped me get approved the first time.
It will help you a lot in my opinion to get help from a doctor for 6 months and lose 10% and get used to eating less before the surgery.
I am 3 weeks out after surgery.. and hardly eating is not easy sometimes...
But it is worth it!
Good luck.. if you do have to postpone surgery.. 6 more months to be healthier your whole life...
Sounds worth it to me.

Call the ATTNY Generals office
That has worked for other people

Thank you everyone, please keep the advise coming.  ...  I'm just upset.  I finally got there mentally and am ready and now a road block.  Thank you.

i will tell you this a hundred times over. IT IS ONLY A ROAD BLOCK AND A FEW MONTHS IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR A HEALTHIER YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
you will get past this i promise,