Hi fatgirl,
I filled out a questionaire my surgeon sent me and he wrote the letter to my insurance company. Basically I just named all the diets I'd been on over the years, how much weight I lost ( or didn't lose), and all the counseling I been in. They accepted the letter my doctor wrote and ok'd the surgery. My husband retired from General Motors, that's how I have United Health Care. I did go out of my network of doctors so I had to pay out of pocket about $3000. Actually my surgeon reimbursed me $1500 of that after surgery. I knew 5 people who had the surgery with Dr Champion and I felt he was the best in the area. Since then my daughter has had the surgery with him and I've been very pleased with the surgery and after care we both received from him and his staff. Her insurance didn't pay at all but I feel a doctor you have confidence in is worth it. I hope this helps. I'll do my best to answer any other questions you have. Good luck...whatever you decide.

Thanks. I'm a little nervous about insurance approval. I don't any of the good comorbidties, like sleep apnea or diabetes. I do have acid reflux and was put on anti-depressants by a doctor several months ago. My BMI is not quite 40, but almost. I just hope my doctor can convince them . . . .