Larissa P.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Walter Lindstrom
Chula Vista, CA
Member Since: 01/22/99

Post Date: 8/23/08 1:45 am
Hi folks....
I just logged on to the site for the first time in several weeks and found messages waiting for me that I didn't know about.  I apologize if people thought I was on daily and may have thought I was ignoring them.  Kelley and I  wanted everyone to know that if anyone needs to reach us for insurance related questions, appeals, representation, etc., call our office at 619-656-5251 (ask for Kelley Lindstrom) or email us -  [email protected] and [email protected] or visit our site, www.obesitylaw.com .  I try to log on here occasionally but direct contact is REALLY the best and quickest way to get a hold of us....
Thanks and hope all of you are well.

Walter Lindstrom
Obesity Law & Advocacy Center
www.obesitylaw.com
RNY Gastric Bypass 1994
LAP-BAND Revision 2003
Starting BMI = 59+
Current BMI = 30

University of Texas SouthWestern Medical Center has an internship program for doctors in training that will do plastic surgery at a very low cost.

One OH member got a full lower body lift for only $3600!

Call for information:  214-648-9617

This is a list of suggestions I've compiled.


3-6 months before:

Go ahead and get full WLS labs done.

Not to be construed as medical advice, this list is a WLS mainstay:

*80053 - comprehensive metabolic profile (sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose,BUN, creatinine, calcium, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase) (10231)
* 84134 - pre-albumin
* 7600 - lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, chol/HDL ratio)
* 10256 - (hep panel, includes ALT (SPGT) & GGT)
* 593 - LDH
* 84100 - phosphorous – inorganic (718)
* 83735 - magnesium
* 84550 - uric acid (905)
* 7444 - thyroid panel (T3U, T4, FTI, TSH) (84437; 84443; 84479; 84480)
* 85025 - hemogram with platelets (1759)
* 7573 - iron, TIBC, % sat
* 83550 - ferritin (457)
* 84630 - zinc (945)
* 84446 - vitamin A (921)
* 82306 – D (25-hydroxy) (680)
* 84052 - vitamin B-1 (thiamin) (4052)
* 84207 – vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
* 7065 - B-12 & folate (82607; 82746)
* 83970 - serum intact PTH
* 31789 - homocysteine, cardio
* 83921 - MMA
* 367 - cortisol
* 84255 - selenium
* 83937 - osteocalcin
* 84597 - Vitamin K
* 82525 - Copper
* 84590 - Vitamin E

For diabetics: *496 - HEMOGLOBIN A1C

DIAGNOSIS CODES:

269.2 hypovitaminosis

244.9 hypothryoidism

268 vitamin D deficiency

250.0 diabetes

401.9 hypertension

276.9 electrolyte and fluid disorders

579.8 calcium malabsorption

579.8 intestinal malabsorption

272.0 hypercholesterolemia

275.40 calcium deficiency

266.2 cyanocobalamin deficiency

280.9 iron-deficiency anemia

269.3 zinc deficiency

281.0 pernicious anemia

281.2 folate deficiency anemia

281.1 other B12 deficiency anemia

285.9 anemia, unspecified

*579.3 surgical malabsorption*

Start taking multi-vitamins, and take extra according to what you are deficient in your lab results. Focus on Vitamin D, C, Calcium and Iron

Start some kind of excersize program, walking, swimming, biking, or just dancing in your underwear in your living room. Just get moving.


1-2 months before:

Start a low-carb diet, go through carb detox now and not while you are also trying to recover from surgery.

Load up on protien at every meal and snack if you can.

Do "foot wiggles" excersizes to help guard against blood clots. Wiggle up down, left right, as often as you can.

Do breathing excersizes to build strong lungs.

Try some stomach crunches and other strength building excersizes added to the program you are already doing.

Arrange for extra helping hands your first two weeks of recovery.

1 week before:

Take pictures, especially if you have been very camera shy up until now. Front, back, sideways and a face closeup. You might consider also takeing measurements of body parts for comparison down the line.

Stock up on liquids and protient drinks for the days after.

In addition to other breathing excersizes, blow up ten tiny balloons a day.

If you don't have a lazy boy recliner, consider borrowing one or renting a lift chair.

So far, I've learned they are getting bids from Anthem, United Health Care, Aenta and Cigna. They are asking for the bids to include WLS! I also know that we have a Maryland office that is required by law to have WLS coverage!

As a matter of fact, I am getting such a positive reception (I've kept in touch and sent a recent article about the new New Hampshire WLS law that was just passed) they have invited me to the meeting of the benifits focus group!

So, cross your fingers for me!

 Angel Food Ministries

A friend told me about it today...it's a food co-op formed by churches all over the united states...you can get groceries at wholesale cost.

They have certain menus that change each month...you can buy a "unit" for $30, and receive everything on the menu. There is no qualifications, and no limit to the number of units you can purchase. You pay cash and order once a month.

Here is this month's menu from my area. For $30 I would get:

	1.5 lb.	Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
	5 lb.	Chicken Leg Quarters
	28 oz.	Chicken Breast Nuggets
	28 oz.	Salisbury Steak Dinner Entrée
	32 oz.	Breaded Chicken Breast Filets
	16 oz.	Smoked Sausage
	16 oz.	California Blend Frozen Vegetables
	16 oz.	Frozen Carrots

	16 oz.	Frozen Chopped Spinach
	10 ct.	Frozen Waffles
	16 oz.	Bean Soup Mix
	1 lb.	Rice
	9 oz.	Instant Potatoes (14 servings)
	15 oz.	Sliced Peaches
	32 oz.	Borden Shelf Stable Milk
		One Dozen Eggs
		One Dessert Item

Go to the site linked above and see if you have a church in your area participating! I just about died, this will help BIG time in my food budget!