External appeal experience

I have been denied for a lap band over my RNY, due to enlarged stoma and pouch.  I have appealed the denial and was not sucessful.  I have multiple health problems, severe hypoglycemia for the rapid emptying, oseoarthritis of my knees, bulging disk in my low back and neck, recurrent ventral hernia with is causing a lot pain and PCOS.  
I would like to know if anyone has had any sucess with an external appeal and won.  I would be hiring Walt Lindstrom to assist me with the review. 
I am trying to decide which route to go, pay the money to have them help me, or pay for the lap band to be placed during a hernia repair and pay that out of my pocket. 
(and I do not want a DS, I know I will hear back that is the route to go, it is not the right one for me)
THank you in advance for your input

 
Why were you denied.  Does your current insurance cover any type of WLS?  Most insurance will not cover lap-band over RNY.  I think they will push you to DS.