Medicaid Approval

Can anyone tell me the process of getting medicaid to approve gastric bypass surgery?  How long does it take, what hoops do you have to jump through, your personal experience, etc.   Thanks for your input.

I had medicaid before my medicare kicked in in March, I was approved on medicaid but didn't make it to surgery before my medicare kicked in but this is what happened on medicaid to get approved, had to do a six month supervised diet, get all the test you have to do for the doctor, started with the doctor in August of 2006 and at the end of Jan. 07 I was approved, went to the doctor in Feb. for preop visit and realized my surgery date wasn't till after the medicare started in March. So I had to change doctors and get approved through them. I had my surgery on May 7th and have lost 69 pounds since surgery and I lost 114 pounds before with being on the special diet the other doc put me on. Hope this helps you just have to find a doctor that will take it. I live on the northshore and had to go to the westbank to see a doc.

Thanks for your response.   BTW, I live in Metairie now and am selling my house so I can move to Abita.  It is so beautiful and peaceful there and the people are so nice.  I don't know what I want more-the surgery or moving across the lake.  Anyway, thanks again for responding, now I know what I'm in for.

I to am on medicaid only have always heard they paid for the surgery but I have called approximately 50 doctors and none of them take medicaid...If anyone knows a dr that does PLEASE let me know .  I would appreciate any help or suggestions from anyone...Hope to hear from you soon....Kisha...Have a great weekend to all....