Anyone had ODS pay for the surgery?

I work for the City of Portland, Oregon and my insurance is ODS. Unfortunately they have an exclusion for bariatric surgery. I am talking to the HR department tomorrow to see if there's any hope at all but I'm not very optomistic.  I have apnea (I use a Cpap) and have just had a major hip surgery due to weight (and have had breast reduction and another surgery in the last 3 yrs) due to my weight as well as physical therapy again, due to my weight so I have documented health problems on record. Has anyone managed to get ODS to pay for this surgery? Or have they managed to get their employer to override the decision? Is it possible or am I kidding myself?  I know the surgeon I want to use but I can't afford to pay for this surgery myself without insurance help. I could pay for another insurance but I don't know how long i would need to be on their plan in order to even apply. I know there are other restrictions (documented diet, etc) and I've had a sleep study done in the past so that's recorded so I"m not concerned there but if i need to pay for additional private insurance just for this surgery I will but I'm just not sure what the next step would best be. I'm moving out of the country in December so I don't have a lot of time, I need to get the ball rolling asap while I am in a good paying job and can scrape together funds to pay for additional insurance if need be. Would appreciate any advice - suggestions, particularly anyone living in the Pacific NW who has either had ODS pay for this surgery or can recommend an insurance company to work with etc. Thanks in advance.

ODS will deny the claim, but because they don't make the final decision, there is still hope.  The city's insurance is self funded and ODS is just the administrator of the plan.  When you appeal, it is reviewed by the City, not ODS.  I've heard that if it is medically necessary, they will approve.