hi gunterm my name is cindy I applied for ssi in aug 2005 had one hearing and was denied and now waiting for a second hearing , my first attorney was a legal aid through the attorneys office that i thought i hired ,they didnt show or discuss all of my medical stuff either,anyway after i lost that first hearing i got a letter from my attorneys office telling me they were dropping me because i didnt win my case [ dumbist thing i ever heard ] and i couldnt get another attorney to take my case for my apeal athe next level so that whole two years were wasted ,the attorney i had was one that ssi recomended to me off their list . im a woman and i cant get ssi either , my doctors tell me its cause im not the right color but that just doesnt make sence either . I wanted to tell you that you can go to yur [[ county welfare department or county hospital and get free insurance ]] , it took me a while to figure that out but its been very helpful , I had major spinal surgery through the county . Plus if you are taking blood pressure meds and or aspecialy anti-inflamitories these two meds can cause and worsen gout and swelling , I know from experiance . after reading how so many called their conngressman im thinking we/I should do the same

Good Morning Milk999....

When I attended the bariatric seminar in December of 2008, it was there I was handed a folder with the paperwork (23 pages of paperwork..BTW) and information about my surgeon and his practice, the different type of surgery options in great detail. I spoke with an insurance advocate that night and she explained the first step which was to fill out the paperwork. 

However, I wasn't asked to fill it out right at the seminar.  Something like this needs to be thought through and you need time to process and think about the whole big picture.  It's a life changing experience and you need and owe it to yourself to take your time. I don't think it was necessary in my opinion to fill out the paperwork there. I think perhaps that is what made you feel a bit overwhelmed. If it was presented to you and had the option to take home the packet I think you would have felt better.

After I turned in my paperwork I had to go through the insurance approving process which took several months. I met with my surgeon after I was completely approved through insurance. My insurance approval was in May and within 2 weeks after the approval came in I was scheduled to speak to my surgeon.

I preferred that time-line because it gave me time to think and write down questions and concerns to discuss with the surgeon. After I met with the surgeon in May I had to go through a few tests that were required in order to clear for surgery. 

After all the tests were complete, I was cleared to scheduled surgery in August.  I had my surgery (RNY) on August 4, 2009. So.... from the time I went to the original bariatric seminar on December 16, 2008 it was approximately 8 months (give or take) that I went in for surgery.  I'm not sure if what I just told you helped at all... I hope it did!! Please write back anytime if you want to talk....

I wish you all the best with your decisions... and your future!!

Take Care and God Bless.

2 months

Out of everyone that is thinking or has had gastric reconstruction, how long was it after the seminar you attended did you actually met with the gastric bypass doctor? Reason, I just went attended the seminar and in the packet they handed me I had papers to fill out about my insurance and were to turn them in after the seminar. A little scared to meet with the DOCTOR!!!!

Hi thanks for reply. I just got denied for my 2nd time.. Gets frustrating. I see u had a lawyer and help fom congressman. I had recently other month talk to people and local congressmans office, and they were more than glad to help me. Hopefully it works out.