Federal employment, which Ins. co will give me the best chance for a LapBand?

(cross posted in the Lap-Band message board as well) OK...in the good news department, I finally found a job! A good job even, as you can tell from the topic. My question is this: Which insurance plan offered by the federal gov't will give me the best chance to be approved for a band? I've already pretty much ruled out bc/bs-fed since people have had so many problems with them. I am able to sign up for some of the postal worker insurance programs (and, by proxy, become an associate union member...I think?) but I've been poking around online a little bit trying to find information about which plan I should pick. I'll be honest...my picking this plan is ALL about getting a band. I don't care about premiums or co-pays (and while that might shock some people...my husband is retired military so we have decent healthcare with low/no co-pays anyway). So far I think that Mail Handlers and GEHA cover the band? Anyone have any advice for me? Any current exclusions that I haven't run across yet? Help? I have a few weeks until I need to sign up for coverage, but the sooner I sign up, the sooner I'm covered and the sooner I can get going on this. As a bonus, I can take all the money we've already saved towards a trip to Mexico for surgery and spend it on a new wardrobe when I reach goal...or pay for a cruise next Spring!

I don't really know the answer to your question, but I know a girl that banded last Oct that had BC/BS Federal. I think as a Federal employee that you have a better chance.

Cathy, Do you think you might be able to provide us with the information, and cir****tancs to which your friend was approved. I am currently on the BCBS Federal program, and would also like to get the band.

The girl I spoke of, attends our support group. I'm not sure how to get hold of her. She has the lapband and works for a government company in Columbus Ohio. She was approved on the first try. I'll ask some of the other girls if they know how to get hold of her. Sorry, I couldn't be anymore help. cathy