Defeated...

50!  I've heard that some doctors make their patients lose weight to do the surgery if they are over 50.  Your insurance company needs a little prodding.   My first denial came through with the reason of "your blood pressure is being controlled with medicine."  The day before I received that letter it was 180/106.  My Dr's office wrote the appeal, pointing out how much all of my health issues were going to cost over the long run.  We listed High blood pressure, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and hormonal imbalances.  They just ignored all of the other issues in their first denial.  I had a BMI of 38 when I qualified.  I lost a lot of weight on the pre op diet and was worried about disqualifying myself, but my doctor told me that the insurance company would never see another weight.  Keep fighting!  Get your Dr to write a letter, tell the insurance company how much it will cost them if they don't let you have the surgery, and keep going to all of these appointments so it will cost them.  I realize that it will cost you too, but make them pay for their denial.   That way, you'll have a history.
Good luck and hang in there!  It took me a year to get my surgery.