Your thoughts ... worried about Vitamin Deficiency problems (post RNY?)

I am currently approved for revision to the RNY (surgery 12/16) and I have been reading and researching quite a bit.  I originally had the lapband placed in 9/2006 but it slipped and has to be removed.  My surgeon has recommended I get the RNY.

As I read about a lot of the successful RNY patients, I am also hearing of many people that have issues due to vitamin deficiencies.  Is this something that is prevalent?  How are you doing as a long term RNY grad?

Thanks for your feedback.  I need to lose weight but I am getting apprehensive as I do more and more research about the choice of RNY.

Taking the right vitamins, ones that are easily absorbed and taking them consistantly along with getting regular labs drawn at least once a year can so that any new deficencies can be addressed ASAP can prevent severe problems and complications that can occur when lacking specific vitamins or nutrients.

I am 2.5 years post RNY and take a multivit, iron, calcium citrate, with vit D, and zinc each day.. I get in 80- 100 grams protien each day and have had no complications.

That being said, there is a small risk from what I have seen of people who take their supplements still getting defficienies, but I really think that is a small portion of people compared to all who do fine as long as they take their vitamins/ supplements and get in enough protien.

Losing my excess weight and getting off 4 out of seven prescription medications, along with getting my life back with better health and energy is well worth taking my vitamins and doing whatever else I need to to stay well after RNY.

Wishing you the best,

 It is a hard decision and one not to be taken lightly, It is a lifetime comittment and one I would do again if I had too.

Sher

Sher ... thank you so much for taking the time to reply.   I want to make sure that I am making an informed decision and your input helps me form some perspective.

I had the DS, which has more malabsorption than the RNY (unless you get a distal RNY, then the malabsorption is pretty much the same), and the advice I'd give to you about getting any kind of malabsorptive surgery is this:

1.  Eat protein at every meal
2.  Eat the protein first at every meal
3.  Take your vitamins faithfully
4.  Get labwork drawn once every 3 months during the first year of your revision and once a year thereafter.
5.  Let your lab results drive your vitamin needs - you will need to take more vitamins after a malabsorptive surgery than you ever did before.

I take a multivitamin, lots of calcium citrate, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, zinc, iron, and potassium.  My labs have told me & my NUT that I needed more zinc & potassium than the average DSer.

For what it's worth, I just had my 2 year labs drawn, and they were damn near perfect - I was low in potassium, so I got a prescription for it.  My other vitamins & minerals were solidly in normal range, and my cholesterol was 90 (combined).  I'm healthier than I've ever been.

If you haven't finished your research, I invite you to come on over to the DS board and check us out.  We have many band to DS revisions there, who'd be happy to answer any questions you'd have.

thank you for the advice ... I had thought that a lot of the issue is with supplements but the diet portion is just as critical.

I had my surgery a little more than 2.5 years ago. I have taken my vitamins and minerals faithfully.

I developed some issues with anemia at 2 years post op. I think that these issues are only partly related to the RNY. I also have some female issues that I am in process of resolving. I also had some minor anemia issues pre-op.

I had a bone density test Today. Pre RNY I had osteopenia in my spine. The spine is about the same. I now have osteopenia in my hip as well. This may be hereditary as my dad as osteopenia. I work at the hospital so I was able to get a prelimanry result before the radiologist looked at the test. I see additional calcium in my future.

I know plenty of post-op RNYers that haven't had issues with  defiencies.

Even though it will be a juggling act to get in my iron and calcium. I am quite happy with my RNY. My diabetes in gone, my HTN is gone. I no longer fear getting a venous stasis ulcer and facing a possible amputation down the road. I feel better at 39 than I did at 29.

Belinda

Thanks Belinda.  It is good to hear that there are many post RNYers without deficiency issues.  Congrats on your progress.  I am hoping to say I feel better at 39 than 29 (29 was scarey  )

I had a mini-gastric bypass 4 years ago... I think the malabsorption rates are similar to the RNY.  I've had low B12, but I'm taking shots.  That's really been the only vitamin deficiency. 

I did have some bacterial overgrowth issues, but as long as I keep my stress under control and get some prebiotics, I'm good to go.

My aunt had an open RNY, and she's had all sorts of problems.  However, that's because she does NOT take care of herself.  She lives on iced tea and peanut butter crackers, and I don't think she takes any supplements.  I know she doesn't do protein shakes or anything. 

The key is taking care of yourself.  This surgery makes your body different, and you have to treat it that way, you know? 

Thanks for taking the time to reply!  I am definitely feeling as if the balance of focusin on protein and taking your supplements goes a long way to avoiding many issues. 

 

I will be 4 years post-op next  month and have never had a major deficiency.  At 9 months post-op my protein level was a little low but after increasing my shakes and working with the nutritionist it came back up by 18 months post-op and has stayed there.  I agree about taking all your vits every day and always be aware of your protein intake.  For what it's worth, I also hear A LOT about major defieciencies on this board, but I know 5 post-op in real life (all 3+ years out) and none of us have had deficiency problems.