Denied for sleeve trying for lap band, has anyone had any success in similar situation?

by Maggie
(Washington, DC, USA)

I found out last week that I was denied for the gastric surgery, not just the gastric sleeve. I went to Sibley Hospital in DC and paid $600 for their program. They told me they would do everything and submit for the sleeve operation, but I have found out that I had to constantly call (I hounded them for at least a month) to get them to submit to BCBS.

I am 100 lbs overweight, have a BMI of 38.5, have high cholesterol - especially the Trigs, and problems with my ankles. I do not have co-morbidities yet. I am disappointed and frustrated.

Has anybody else been denied by Fed BCBS DC (Washington DC area) and been able to get approved for the lap band instead?

Also has anyone else experienced the delay with Sibley Hospital?

Is there a better facility in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area to have the surgery done with? I am also considering paying out of pocket.

Any recommendations would be great.

Thanks,
Maggie

P.S. I was done with all my program work in September and they did not even try to book the operation until till mid October. I had to call each week to get this done. I then called up Fed BCBS in Washington DC to find out if they had even submitted the request for the sleeve. I also found out that they did not submit the required psych evaluation when BCBS denied me. I asked Sibley to resubmit for the lap-band, but I am guessing that when I call them on Monday that they have not done anything.

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