WLS Grads

 I have been reading a lot of scary stories about malnutrition, vitamin, iron, calcium deficiencies, and hypoglycemia.  I'm terrified about this happening to me.  I take my multi-vitamins, calcium and iron everyday.  I get a B-12 shot monthly.  My protein intake is between 60 - 80 grams a day.  I shoot for the higher end of 80 grams per my nut.  What have your experiences been like?  Does anyone know the percentage of RNY's that this happens to?  Also, what is your diet like at 1 year and out?  Thanks for all of your responses.  Everyone on OH is so supportive of one another.  It's GREAT!

I'm a little more than 2 years post-op RNY. I haven't had any malnutrition problems yet, but I've stepped up on my supplements to be sure it doesn't happen. I do have reactive hypoglycemia, and it's a big pain in the butt. I eat every couple of hours, and that's usually not a problem, but if I go anywhere I have to be sure to take a Kashi bar or some peanut butter. Once my blood sugar starts to drop, it bottoms out really fast. And you can't eat just anything to bring it up, because it'll just make it worse (i.e., a funnel cake or chocolate-dipped banana at the fair). Other than that, no problems whatsoever, and it's manageable. As far as diet goes, I try to avoid sugar most of the time and get in plenty of fiber and protein. I don't necessarily follow a bariatric diet. I eat multi-grain English muffins & double-fiber wheat bread, multi-grain tortillas and tortilla chips, wheat pasta, things like that. I always cook with very lean meat and strive to avoid the bad carbs, but not always. I do a good bit of exercise, including weight resistance training, which is supposed to help with bone density. Try not to worry -- most people with problems can trace it back to not doing something they were supposed to do. Complacency gets easier as you get further along and you don't think about your WLS all the time, so always remember to take your supplements, eat the best you can, get a physical and regular lab work, and get in some exercise, and you'll be fine.

 Thank you so much for your response.  It helped calm my fears!

I have not had any problems yet, but like you, I'm vigilent about taking my vits and trying to eat properly. At 1yr out I could eat pretty  much anything~although I still to this day have problems with meat sometimes. It is scary to think about the things that "could" happen, but then again I think about what "could have" happened if I stayed at 328lbs or even worse, gained to a higher weight than that! I believe the trade off is well worth it. Good Luck to You!

I will be 4 years post-op next month and have never had a major deficiency.  When I was 9 months post-op my protein level was low.  I started drinking more shakes and working with a nutritionist and by a year and a half post-op it was fine and has remained that way.  The way I eat now is what I would label as "normal."  Not the normal from before surgery whi*****luded lots of fast food and soda, but now it's just normal healthy eating.  I did have some regain from two post-op pregnancies but as soon as I"ve gone back to my healthy eating the weight has been coming off.  For breakfast I usually eat oatmeal or an egg white omelet with veggies, or if I'm not feeling like eating much, a yogurt.   I still drink a protein shake every day.  My lunches and dinner consist of a protein (usually chicken breast or steamed shrimp) and veggies or a side salad.  Some days I will make lean cuisine for lunch if I'm rushed.  I also sometimes eat turkey and cheese on a multigrain english muffin - they are yummy.  Every evening I have a snack of a string cheese and a piece of fruit.  Basically I try to keep it healthy and get all my protein in.  Also 64 oz of water every day.

I've always taken the "basics": Multivitamin, B-12, Calcium x 3, Protein x 3, and other than adding a B1 there have been no problems.  I keep protein to over 100g per day.

My diet is semi-vegetarian (about 2/3 of meals meatless) heavy on dairy.  I eat pretty much anything (even an occaisonal funnel cake) and my most recent supper was a Reuben sandwich because we had just made some Kraut from the fall harvest.  Generally, I eat anything I want just never ALL that I want.

Two days a week are 40min weightlifting workouts and two days a week are 5K runs.

KC
That is why you go to your MD and have the specific tests performed.  To watch for any problems.  I have a wonderful handout that my surg gave me post op.  On the problems RNY's can have.  From "soup to nuts".  and reccomended the correct labs and procedures to perform if problems arise.
(which for did - I had a GI bleed about a month ago). 

So follow your MD's rec, live well and eat smart.

my best to you and all the others starting their journey.

ps-my diet is more varied but meat ie: chicken, beef, lamb or pork gives my stomach fits.  Mostly a veg girl with occais egg.  some dried not fried/salted nuts.  Smaller is still better.  I am three years out this Nov 5. 

My love to Dr R Rosenthal.  Sir, I am alive because you cared.

Dianne R Jones