For veterans; VA can contract out

I have blue cross blue shield and aetna.  Aetna is giving me crap but I am trying to get approval.  BCBS won't cover unless you've been with them for 5 years.  I went to my VA primary care doctor to get a letter of clearance and she started talking to me about how they also contract out for WLS (only the RNY though).  I had no idea and was completely blindsided.  I don't want the RNY but I did last year before I knew about the sleeve.  You have to do the nutrition classes through them, see their psychiatrist, their pulminoligist, EGD through them, and also see a cardiologist.  BMI must be 40 for 2 years or 35 with a co-morbidity.  No smoking for 6 weeks.  

Just another option just in case Aetna denies me again.  Should I wait until 2013 to get the sleeve or go ahead and go through the whole proceder with the VA if I'm denied again?  It wouldn't be a VA doctor but they contract with a Dr. in Dallas.   I've been told I have to have HBP for 2 years but that's not what Aetna's policy states.  

Just a thought....

I know it is a bit farther, but alot of my work friends went to Dr. Darryl Stewart in Denton. He does, VSG, DS and RNY. He accepts HCA insurance and many others. Denton Regional Hospital is where he operates.

We are talking the Veteran's Administration right (VA)??? If we are, I am a vet and I got my VSG at a VA Hospital in Pittsburgh PA...At the least the Pittsburgh offered VSG, banding, and RNY. You may want to check into that a little further if you want to have a VA do your surgery. No matter what, dont settle for a surgery you dont want.