3 year labs.. Problems, questions..

Jackie
Multiplepetmom
on 9/20/11 3:55 am

there are some issues with B12 and Vit D following VSG, and I wish more people knew it.

keep in mind non-ops can have issues, too, so this isn't necessarily because of her surgery.

once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.

PM me if you are interested in either of these.

size 8, life is great

Still Fawn
on 9/20/11 4:00 am, edited 9/20/11 4:01 am - SIERRA MADRE, CA

I do not suffer from any vitamin deficiencies at all, and all of my other labs are fabulous. I have been anemic since I was 11 years old, it just seems to trend worse as I am getting older. I am not sure the influence of the sleeve on my preexisting condition..

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

(deactivated member)
on 9/20/11 5:42 am - Woodbridge, VA

I have seen VSG patients with low levels of B12, vit D, iron, and protein, to name those most common. When you remove the outer curvature of the stomach, you lose most production of Intrinsic Factor, which is required for absorption of dietary B12, which is why B12 is sometimes troublesome (but easily suplemented via sublingual form or injections).

Also, by strictly reducing the size of the stomach, you're also reducing the amount of gastric acid being produced and the amount of time food sits in the stomach. This can result in impaired absorption of iron and even protein for some patients.

So, even without intestinal bypass, the VSG can lead to impaired absorption of certain nutrients for some folks.

And most American are low in vit D, so I wouldn't blame that on any surgery necessarily, except that having labs run more often as the result of surgery means you're more aware of the low level ;)

Jackie
Multiplepetmom
on 9/20/11 5:48 am

VSG on 08/05/08

since I take a PPI - in fact, twice a day thanks to my coffee habit - that would also make a difference wouldn't it?

once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.

PM me if you are interested in either of these.

size 8, life is great

(deactivated member)
on 9/20/11 7:37 am - Woodbridge, VA

Makes sense to me that that could make a difference, too!

MacMadame
on 9/20/11 8:06 am - Northern, CA

VSG on 09/24/08

On September 20, 2011 at 12:48 PM Pacific Time, multiplepetmom wrote:

since I take a PPI - in fact, twice a day thanks to my coffee habit - that would also make a difference wouldn't it?

Yes, PPI use is a culprit in maldigestion of certain nutrients including protein.

HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
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(deactivated member)
on 9/20/11 8:30 am - Woodbridge, VA

Maldigestion - thanks for the new word! Even though it is the lack of absorption of nutrients, people automatically equate "malabsorption" with intestinal bypass/reconfiguration (understandably so).

Jackie
Multiplepetmom
on 9/20/11 9:22 am

VSG on 08/05/08

it worries me that a lot of VSGers seem to think they are FINE and don't really worry about it.

once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.

PM me if you are interested in either of these.

size 8, life is great

MacMadame
on 9/21/11 4:14 am - Northern, CA

VSG on 09/24/08

Well, statistically speaking, most are fine.

So then it gets into whether it's worth it. If you have to pay for your own labs, then you might not care to run a full set every year after you have a few years of excellent labs with no problems. But my labs are covered so I figure why not run the full set? It's no risk to me to do so. I could see someone else deciding it wasn't worth it though. Plus, I don't have two years of no issues. So that puts me in a different place from someone whose labs have been excellent from the get-go.

HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights

H.A.L.A B.
on 9/20/11 4:07 am, edited 9/20/11 4:07 am

RNY on 05/14/08

Check with your insurance - some does not require for you to have referral to a specialist.
My PCP told me to take more iron... yea... was not working for a 1.5 years and now it will? my surgeon sent me to hematologist. He agreed with me that I can't absorb iron and I got infusions. My ferritin was 9.5 Now at 93 - I feel much better. ..

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

3 year labs.. Problems, questions..

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3 year labs.. Problems, questions..