Question do you have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal?

Hi Tricie 40,

 BCBS will deny me because I was not in compliance with the prescribed eating and exercise program.

I already called them and that is what they have on my medical record from the doctor who did my Sleeve.

Thanks anyway.  

BCBS Fed has gotten way stricter than when I had my band surgery in 2007.  I was approved in like 3 seconds.  NOW, it takes an act of God.  I had already sought out a diet DOCTOR and went to him and followed the program and still was not losing much weight because my band was preventing me from eating decent food like meat and veggies.  So anyway, I had six months of the diet doctor, then I had a shrink certification, and then my surgeon was supposed to be participating and wasn't so I had to wait for him to be approved as that was in process so it took me 6 months from the time I sought the revision.  It has been almost four months since surgery and yeah it's slow and I have had two plateaus but it is coming off.  I have to work like a dog to do it but before I would work and no weight loss so at least my effort works now.  I am working hard to make this the last surgery I need for obesity. 

I also have BCBS Federal and I am waiting on approval. I have completed all my required appointments but my dr failed to put the obesity code in the diagnosis codes for three months so I had to start over on that. I had lapband in 2007 and am trying to convert to the sleeve. I am within 5 pounds of my pre-surgery weight which makes me really sad. I am concerned about the line in the approval process that says : Weight loss from the initial procedure was less than 50% of the member's excess body weight at the time of the initial procedure.

Was that an issue for you?

Yes, I have BCBS Federal