does aetna cover VSG

Just thought I would also ask if anyone know about this or not?  This is the route I would like to go, and just wonder if I should work on getting approved in general and then tell them this is the way I wanna go, or just try from the begining to get teh VSG? Thanks! Renee'

Every surgeon's office I visited told me no. Unless you have a condition that makes it impossible for you to get one of the other surgeries it prob won't fly.  I actually settled on the DS instead and am very happy with my decision. Just hope I get approved.

I think that each plan varies for Aetna...post on the VSG board.  There are ppl there who got it covered through Aetna.   I wondered the same thing but my surgeon told me that it best to just be upfront with them and ask for the VSG  BUT if you have any reason to doubt that YOU qualify then you might consider just asking for RNY and swtiching the surgery after approval. For me, I have a 54 BMI, high BP, high cholesterol, Type II diabetes, so I am not going to have issues getting an RNY.   I took his advice, got denied fpr the sleeve (as we knew I would) and am appealing as we speak!! Good Luck

This last post is about the VBG, which is a totally different surgery from the VSG.  You would want to chk w/your particular Aetna plan.  They should be able to tell you. *Angel

Yea, I hope I can find out soon.  I would much rather have the VSG, but since I have no other options except for insurance, I guess whatever is theor policy will dictate what I am able to get done. Renee'

I hear ya!  I hate to let the insurance co decide which procedure I get, but I really can't afford to do it on my own, and I'm beginning to think I would rather have the wt loss w/my 2nd choice of surgery than carry the wt around for another 5-10 yrs waiting for the insur co to get their heads out of their collective asses!!  My surgeon submitted my paperwork for pre-approval today, so now we're just waiting.  I'm not feeling very confident...if my insurance approves it would be the first time they've had insur pay for a VSG at their clinic, and my dr's done many of these procedures.  But I'm planning my appeal, and hoping for the best.  But I know they will pay for the RNY or Band (I would go w/the RNY), or maybe the DS.  But when you call they really can't give you a straight answer.  Thery're not very clear about which ones they cover and which they don't.  So good luck...I hope you can get an easier answer than me!!   *Angel