Dave, the BCIR is definitely worth fighting for, provided you are qualified medically for it. You should have sufficient small intestine to make the pouch. I am assuming from your location that the doctor you referred to in your post is Dr. Don Schiller at Olympia Medical Center. He has been doing BCIR’s for many years and has an excellent reputation. I suggest that you first contact his office to see if you qualify medically for the procedure. If so, you can then discuss your insurance situation and the cost of the surgery. If Dr. Schiller is not in your PPO network, it will be necessary for you to get the PPO’s approval for out-of-network coverage. This can be challenging, but there is a much better chance of getting approval since there are only two surgeons in the USA who do this procedure. In light of your insurance situation, it is critical to begin your inquiries as soon as possible. Please feel free to send me a PM with any questions that you have, and best of luck to you.
Bill