After almost 2 years of flip flopping about getting the surgery I have decided to concentrate on getting some answers from the VA. Bariatric surgery at the VA is like a secret club that won't even let you in the door. I have done online research but come up with different facts everywhere I look. I did find this.
http://www.healthquality.va.gov/obesity/obe06_final1.pdf
WEIGHT LOSS For adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 there is good evidence from numerous high quality systematic reviews that bariatric surgery is the only effective therapy for promoting clinically significant weight loss (ECRI, 2005; Maggard et al., 2005; Shekelle et al., 2004). Morbidly obese patients (i.e., those with BMI greater than 40) do not usually achieve substantial weight loss as a result of lifestyle modifications and drug therapy. Only bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to consistently result in profound and long-term weight loss for the morbidly obese.
One Dr I talked to refused to believe what the VA actually said. They have no problem spending money on a treatment that they themselves say doesn't work but refuse to give me any information on a treatment that does. All I can confirm is that I have to be in the MOVE program for 6 months. They will not discuss any other requirements at this time.