What is the difference in cost between the BPD/DS and RNY procedures?

I am currently battling with my insurance company and have Walter Lindstrom on the case (go, Walter, go!) regarding their denial of my PCP's referral to a nearby surgeon who does the duodenal switch procedure both lap and open. They have suggested two alternative surgeons who are both more than a 5-1/2-hour round-trip drive away and both of whom do NOT perform the BPD/DS procedure (which my PCP has recommended as being the most appropriate for me, and after my own extensive research I have to agree). Also, neither of them do their procedures laparascopically. In their denial, PacifiCare said that "the duodenal switch procedure does not meet PacifiCare's standards for safety and efficacy," even though I had provided them with a 10-page report that had been given to me by my PCP which compared the safety and efficacy of the DS to the RNY and VBG. Of course, I believe that the REAL issue for PacifiCare is what is ALWAYS is for ALL insurance companies: COST (read: MONEY). But, I have no idea what the difference in cost is between the RNY (which it appears they WILL cover) and the DS (which, at the moment, they won't). Can anybody give me a "ballpark" estimate of the difference in cost between the two procedures? I am hopeful that Mr. Lindstrom and I will prevail at the Independent Medical Review, and I will get to have the procedure that my PCP (and I) believe is most appropriate for me (BMI 61) and offers me the best chance for success. Thanks for any info on the cost comparison of these two procedures.

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