Denied and Devastated...This mess can really work one's nerves.  I keep telling myself that it will all be worth it in the end and that is what pulls me through.  I received a call last Friday (11/14/08) from my insurance advocate at the surgeons office and she said that she got a message from my insurance co. that I have been denied.  Denied... Are you serious?? The reason that the insurance gave was because I gained weight rather than losing for the last 2 months of my 6 month diet.  She said that if I had at least maintained my weight then I would have been approved.  That's BS if ever I have heard!
  The insurance co. only asks that you go through a 6 month physician supervised diet but it does NOT list any stipulations regarding whether or not you have to lose, gain, or maintain a certain weight during this time.  So what are they trying to pull?
  I wonder if my insurance co. took notice that my depression medication has been changed 4 times while on this diet, most of which have weight gain as a side effect.  Or if they are aware that I stopped smoking a little over a month ago and it's inevitable that you gain weight when you stop smoking, which is why alot of smokers don't try to stop, Right!   
  I have my company's HR rep checking with the insurance co. to see what exactly they want at this point so that when we do the appeal I will have EVERYTHING.   

In the mean time I will  continue to pray and not lose hope...

I just got off of the phone with my insurance company and they gave me a Super Sized list of all of the pre-determination qualifications that they request.

What the H...
1. BMI of 40 or more
2. 5 yrs or more of morbidly obese
3. Behavioral Support Therapy
4. Pre Op eval w/ notes
5. 6 months medical history
6. Before Attempts at wieght loss or lifestyle improvements
7. Photos of myself showing the BMI of 40 or more
8. 2 letters from doctors. And they don't mean one from my PCP and    one  from my surgeon, I asked twice. They want 2 from doctors other than my surgeon!!! 
9. Letter from Dr. stating how my wieght is affecting my lifestyle now and  how the surgery will affect my lifestyle after
10. 6 month supervised diet

I called the surgeons office for some input and was told that I shouldn't have to have all of this stuff so long as they follow the 5 guidelines. But she had already told me that she hasn't dealt with my insurance company yet.  All of this is very confusing, Why would the insurance company tell me that they need all of this stuff if they don't.  Here I was thinking that my biggest hurdle was the 6 month diet but then I get slapped in the face with this list...HELP, if anyone has went through this before.  Thanks in advance!

I just want to say thanks to each and every one here on this site.  Everyone has been truly amazing, supportive and informative.  You guys are Great...