Sue, Carbonyl iron can be purchased under the name Feosol at a store or pharmacy. But you have to be careful as Feosol also comes in ferrous sulfate. Just make sure that the Feosol has carbonyl iron on the front. As someone else recommended, I also take my iron with Vitamin C and I take no food or anything for 2 hours before or after the iron. Your ferritin is extremely low. I hope you feel better soon. I have heard that some people have to go to a hematologist for iron infusions. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -103 lbs 150cm bypassed

Hi Lynn, I just went and picked up a copy of my labs yesterday afternoon. My ferritin level was marked "less than 5" and it said that the test was repeated to verify that result!!! So I guess I am a bit defficient, eh? It explains so much actually! I'll have to look into the carbonyl iron, I don't know what that is. I found out about something called Proferrin, which is a different form of iron, supposedly more easily absorbed by people who've been bypassed. I will probably post more on it as I learn more. Thanks for your response, I really appreciate all the input I've received from everyone here and on the california board as well. Congrats on making the century club by the way!!! You are doing awesome! love, Sue

Hey Marianne, Sorry he is being such a poop. Is he always so unreasonable or is this out of character for him? The money portion I can somewhat understand, even if he did overreact, but calling you a liar is terrible. I have learned that men can get hormonal too, especially as they get older. Is your dh always this moody or is he feeling left out, as Sandy talked about? I hope you guys can talk when you're both calmer and you can explain to him that you NEED to get yourself some things, you'll be NEEDING more next season and most of all you need his support and understanding. I hope he calms down and sees that he hurt you unnecessarily. Hugs to you and I hope today is a better day. Love, Sue

Cindy- My doctor wants me on 800 calories a day, 70 grams of protein and 30 carbs. No bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, beans, or fruit. (Although at my 6-month check up I begged to have fruit once a week and he said OK!) I'm compliant about 6 days a week, usually one day on the weekend I cheat! Hugs, Sandy 268/165/136 (-103) P.S. I could eat alot more than I'm eating right now!

Dear Marianne - I am so sorry you are going through this with your husband! You do not deserve to be treated that way! I understand somewhat how you feel. From the time of my surgery through February my husband was unbelievably supportive and loving and he couldn't do enough for me and complimented me nonstop. It felt great because our marriage was shaky before the surgery and a factor was definitely my weight. Beginning around the middle of February I started to get out and about more and of course saw many people and began to get showered with compliments. When compliments came from others, my husband's stopped! I told him that his compliments mattered more than anything and that's what kept me going but it didn't seem to matter. He doesn't compliment me or support me anymore. He doesn't sabotage me either but my weight loss is no longer an issue. He promised me a trip to a local B&B that I've been dying to go to when I got halfway to my goal. That never happened. My husband needs to lose about 40 pounds and I'm beginning to think he might feel threatened by new shape and lifestyle. People compliment me and flirt with me and I am vivacious by nature, plus I'm going to the gym every day and playing tennis and brimming with energy and happiness. I really believe he's feeling "left behind" even though I attempt to include him in all my actions and decisions! It's ironic I'm getting so much attention from others when it's his that I crave. But, I will NOT let him hold me back! I've come too far. I still have the impulse to eat when we have a fight but I'm able to resist 99 percent of the time. Spending money has not been an issue because I spend my "own" money from my paycheck (I work part-time) and he sees that I shop at Wal-Mart, Target and other discount stores. My conclusion is that my husband feels threatened on some level. Yours too perhaps? Who knows? Hopefully he will get over it and apologize to you. Let us know sweetie, hang in there! Love, Sandy ((((((((((BIG HUG))))))))))