Smoking Cessation and Insurance Requirement

[Cath226 10]

I am so disappointed because I thought I met all the requirements for gastric sleeve surgery, received a surgery date and two days ago was notified by my surgeon's office that insurance (FEP BCBS) denied my pre-certification request!!! My surgeon said I had quit smoking for 2 months before my surgery, which I did (Yay me!!). However, my insurance company requires no smoking for six months. I've spent hours researching and haven't found any other doctor or insurance company that requires you stop smoking more than two months prior to surgery. Has anybody had this happen and is it something I can appeal? I wasn't even a heavy smoker! Any advice about an appeal would be helpful.