Anthem BCBS Missouri - anyone?

I am in the process of getting together the required paperwork that my surgeon wants me to send in so they can submit it all to my insurance company for approval.  My plan (through my husband job at Hill-Rom) covers surgery for morbid obesity.

I just don't know what to expect.  Should I anticipate a denial right off the bat and plan on appeals??  My plan states that the surgery is covered if it's medically necessary and

-- patient has at least a BMI of 40 or above (mine is high 50s!)
-- patient has at least 5 year history of morbid obesity
-- patient has had an 18 month physician supervised diet.  (I HAVE NOT!)

Any chance that I will be approved even though I've not had a doctor superivised diet? 

I'm so nervous and scared.  Afraid to get my hopes up......

Thanks in advance for any replies, thoughts and insight!
Therese

BC/BS of MO requires 18 months supervised diet that is long usually the insurance companys require 3 to 6 months supervised diet well i kow that BC/BS of Idaho because that is the insurance that i have and i am going through the process now. I have everything else except for the supervised diet which i have an appointment to start on Aug 6

Just a FYI....

BCBSIL states you only need 3 months as of 7/1/09. You might want to check it out.

Thanks for the replies. :)

Anyone else have any info?