Six years out and anemic again... keep up those vitamins people!

At nearly my six year surgiversary, and blood tests (as well as my utter exhaustion and circles under my eyes) show I am anemic. Ugh. I am trying to talk the doc into more iron supplements instead of infusions... it worked last time, and unlike a lot of RNY vets I don't normally have constipation issues that iron will make worse. Plus I already take fists-full of Magnesium which should keep things moving well.

Moral of the story, keep on top of those vitamins. Years later, it can still bite you in the ass.

Audrey

The one aspect of my 13 years post RNY of which I am most proud, is that I am so compliant with my bloods and supplements.

However "normal" we feel and believe me, newbies, there will come a day where your surgery will not define you, we must continue to make sure we don't become deficient.

Anyone who is serious about taking oral iron supplements, rather than waiting for a crash so they can get an infusion or six, should give heme iron a try. It can be taken with anything and doesn't cause stomach upset or constipation like other types.

Thanks for the PSA Audrey x

So, I am six years post RNY, and I have been sketchy at best with vitamins. The first two years I was totally compliant, then after a long nasty divorce, losing my health insurance, etc., I stopped getting my bloodwork done. I continued (and still do) take vitamins, but not the bariatric, expensive, chewable ones. I take a regular multi-vitamin, extra calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. I don't have any problems and I am finally scheduled for bloodwork in a few weeks after getting a new job and my health insurance back. What are the current recommendations for post RNY'ers?

No expensive bariatric vitamins here either.

I'm happy to tell you what I take, but of course it's tailored to my lab results, so while it follows the ASMBS guidelines, it's a little different and you really should tailor yours once you get your bloods drawn.

Daily, I take two Kirkland multi vitamins, 1500mg calcium citrate, 1000mg magnesium, 12mg heme iron, 1mg folic acid, and 50k iu dry vitamin D per week, along with 2 x 1ml B12 shots per week.

I really struggle to keep my B12 at a good level, so my B12 intake is excessive, most RNYers manage perfectly well on a good sublingual.

Thank you Kim! The sublingual B12 is what I am missing, I am going to order from Amazon.

I'm 1 Year 10 months out I NEVER took a single vitamin blood levels always perfect. It can be a huge waste of money .

Come back in 5/6 years and tell us that, if you can. And if you can't, I promise we won't tell you "I told you so". We will just support you, unlike the lack of support you have just displayed.

Audrey

Let us know the name of your hometown paper. I'll check in a few years and repost this on your obit.

Hey Grim,

If you don't mind...I am having problems getting gastric bypass surgery due to the fact they found I have liver cirrhosis due to NASH. I have no symptoms of liver problems. With your PSW did you have any signs of cirrhosis. If so do you mind telling me your surgeon and where located.

You know what else is a huge waste of money? Massive hospital bills for deficiency-related health conditions that could have easily been avoided with proper supplementation.