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The worst that can happen is irreversible dementia symptoms from lack of vitamin B12. My mother and I both had gastric bypass in 2007. I am a rule follower but she tends to just do whatever she wants and figure it'll be ok. I was adamant about her taking vitamins and even filled her vitamin container for her in 2009 we got a call she was confused, laughing when no one was talking, unable to remember life events or people. They ran many tests, thinking stroke or something. They came up with vitamin B12 deficiency, though they doubted it. I explained that she'd had gastric bypass and if she wasn't taking her pills that was possible. As soon as they started her on it she snapped out of it. She doesn't remember those 2 days and still occasionally has episodes. Fast forward to 2017 when she had open heart surgery. Even after stressing that she needed her vitamin B12 2 days after surgery she was confused. She thought I was her sister who passed away in 1998. She didn't know anything. The Dr again thought stroke or beginning of dementia. I kept saying that they needed to go e her her vitamins. The nurse and Dr thought I was nuts but gave her b shots and immediately she snapped back. They had never heard of it but looked it up after and confirmed it is a real thing. People who have gastric bypass and alcoholics have to be careful of this. Your body gets depleted because of the surgery and/or alcoholism and when it happens it seems like dementia. Left untreated it isn't reversible. I tell everyone who has sudden dementia symptoms to check into this. I always wondered how many people are left to battle dementia when it could have be treated at beginning IF it was a vitamin deficiency ( not trying to say all dementia is vitamin related). Please look into this because it is real and we are told to take out vitamins for a reason. Even when I don't feel like taking them I take my B12, multivitamin and calcium.
Hi!
I am almost 5 years out from bypass. I have had to stop most of my vitamin supplements, I have no malabsorbtion and have had very little since the begining.
I first had a lap-band in 2007 which caused a lot of damage. My pouch was larger than routine due to this damage. (4oz) My surgeon sent me to a trained bariatric physician; she specializes in finding out why some bypassers aren't successfull.
I now follow the " intuitive eating" program. It works for me! This is trying to fix the brain part, the hard part of our journey!

Lap-Band 2007 out 2013 RnY 2016 Age 64 5'6" HW 294 SW 284 LW 214 CW 235.2 goal 199
G. Dean Roye, MD FACS
Patty
on 8/9/21 8:26 am
And the irony of it all is they laugh at you for being gullible.... they say we're alcoholics OF Course we lie about EVERYTHING lol . They think you're the idiot for believing them
on 8/9/21 8:21 am, edited 8/10/21 2:43 am
I do wish Cathy or Nikki hadn?t deleted the well meaning and absolutely truthful and sincere post you refer to .
Abstinence- particularly twelve step abstinence carries a huge risk of self harm and deep depression and even real ,? successful ? suicide ( not just a call for help - which I personally think is very serious too ) .
I just think it?s not this site?s position to promote AA or any other twelve step program .
Naive people think there?s no downside to these abstinence based programs- as one whose struggled many years and sincerely tried to abstain the twelve step way I have personally seen and experienced their worst .
For what it?s worth my experience is that most people in these groups claiming to be sober are NOT . Go to the local bar after a meeting and you?ll be shocked who you see there ! Most long timers use these groups to CONTROL their use ... to socialize... not to abstain. Yes it shocked me too ... but check it out you?ll see I?m right .
The importance of vitamins after weight loss surgery and what can happen if you don't take them was very much discussed with me while I was preparing for surgery and taking educational classes that my surgeon required. I guess I was lucky and I think all centers/surgeons should inform their patients.
Then you must not remember what you posted. "30 yrs in AA and OA". "I would rather be drunk than DEAD". From what I have seen of this forum I see no judgement nor any prejudice. I see honesty and I see people sharing their stories. When I have seen any comments that may be considered judgemental I try to reach the entire thread to see multiple sides. Do I see people being matter of fact, yes. Do I see people cautioning people on paths they are taking, yes. To be honest I think it is wonderful that it is so. We do not need stories sugar-coated or so watered down no one knows what is factual. So if you feel like this site is judgemental maybe you aren't opening your mind to all views, including those who differ from your own.
on 8/9/21 12:38 am, edited 8/8/21 5:40 pm
Oy,I get 2 b the divergent opinion again grrr !
One of my favorite songs as a kindergartener was the Beastie Boys ? - I gotta FIGHT 4 my RIGHT 2 PAARHTY .... how in the world can you not love that song or it?s attitude?
Our world ... and our kids world and their kids? world is AWASH in drugs both legal and illegal ... and of course alcohol- our society?s favorite poison ( or life extender and savior depending on your perspective) has been used daily or more by most of our ancestors for thousands of years .
We can stick our heads in the sand like ostriches and ignore the obvious.... or we can grow up wrestle with the beast and eventually win.
I know plenty of people including myself who have enough munny to party every day for the rest of their lives on high quality great stuff ... yet most eventually get and stay straight ... mainly cuz we enjoy our minds the way they are ( and are extremely competitive with our cohorts ) .
I prefer making a million to getting high - that?s a high in itself . ((())) hugs
that said I " confess " to relaxing w a big glass of red wine just about every nite and patting myself on the back if I don't put a shot of 99 bananas in my morning coffee . So shoot me - I enjoy every single day of my life .... I haven't come this far to be miserable now .
on 8/8/21 10:49 pm, edited 8/8/21 4:05 pm
I cannot understand why anyone would assume I do drugs or even drink from my post .
I'm actually pretty much a straight arrow ... to get where I need to go .,.. to achieve what I want and need to .
I'm hugely successful now and uncomfortable with it .... too used 2 suffering . I wish I could give myself a hug cuz I'm a Brave and Bold Grrrl . I wish I could spend the munny I earned on myself and treat myself just a little bit ... let my guard down ... actually enjoy .
I?m just stating the Obvious... the world has changed .
Maybe we had our heads in the sand ...dreaming about achieving a fantasy that realistically died or went out of fashion twenty years ago ...
Please understand I?m DELIGHTED 2 witness our thousand different forms of success post WLS .
i LOVE us ! I think we?re just absolutely amazing survivors and beautiful inside n out strong chicks and hott boyz :) .
I?m just hoping for a realistic forum where we can b honest without judgment or ridiculously outdated prejudice. ((())) hugs
( I?m also that addicted or just- likes - to - party kid you don?t understand - don?t you VALUE having a means to communicate with that generation? ) and no I?m not high ..or crazy or drunk lol . But I bet you WISH you were :)
Between post-surgical lifetime vitamins and supplements, and prescription medication, I take 14-16 pills per day (depends on how many pain pills I have to take, and whether or not I need a sleeping pill). I realized very soon after surgery that it's just a fact of life, and I budgeted it in my finances because it's a forever thing. My labs are always good, so I'm never sorry for the expense as the alternatives I've read here for people who stop taking their vitamins and supplements is unthinkable.
I, too, got so tired of the daily/weekly pill container filling, so I opted for this system. I just have to sit down once a month and it's sooooo much better!
MedCenter 31 Day Pill Organizer
The 4 sections are big enough to hold large pills in addition to my calcium chews. It's a bit pricy but well worth it for a one--time spend.
I don't know how much you spend on vitamins, but after trying to be frugal and going through a lot of options, I ended up going back to my original that was recommended by my surgeon. They end up costing just about $16 per month, and I think well worth it.
Bariatric Once-A-Day Multivitamin 90 Ct Capsule-45mg Iron Made for Gastric Bypass Sleeve WLS Surgery
If you don't need additional supplements like I do (magnesium, probiotic, and maca powder for post-menopause issues), then it's very cost effective, in my opinion.
Hope you find this info helps. The amount of effort required to take the supplements is well worth peace of mind knowing you'll never suffer debilitating issues due to vitamin deficiencies.
I read both your posts and I've sat on this for a while before I replied. I really think that they are more of a tirade based on the fact that you want to be able to talk about your ability to drink and function and NOT your struggles with overcoming alcoholism or drinking in excess. Yes, people are doing more drugs, but even more, people are finding sobriety one way or another. HOW you handle your sobriety is up to you, if you choose NOT to handle your sobriety and wish to drink, then that is also up to YOU. But, do not expect a website that is specific to weight loss surgery to have a "free pass" when you want to come and post about drinking. Those posts can trigger people who may be very successful at abstaining. It is not our right to tell you cannot drink, but it is our right to not have to read a post that is literally advocating for drinking and self-medicating to get beyond whatever issues are so deeply rooted.12 steps work, they are proven. Do they work for everyone, no. Some people find success with inner healing and getting to the root cause of their drinking. I never had an issue with drinking before I had surgery and my experience being this early out and seeing how it can spiral is a wake-up call for me. Don't try to normalize excessive alcohol or drug use and the ability to function daily. Everyone has a point where there is no return whether that is via suicide or drinking oneself to death. People struggle daily and even more now that we have encountered a pandemic. Don't come here to talk about your ability to function while drinking. YOUR posts could be ones that trigger another right down that same deep hole you seem to be rooted in. You want people to quit judging, then help yourself. Do you want help? Then help yourself. Talk about how you want to change things and focus on not drinking.If you drink and need to talk, acknowledge that you messed up and outline what you will do to get back on track and work on that. I bet you will get the help you need here then. But, glorify your drinking and you won't find one person who will want to help you, because deep down, you don't want help.