It's NO joke folks...

VITAMINS - FOR LIFE!!! Does everyone hear this???? VITAMINS FOR LIFE!!!

I work in an Occupational Health Clinic but I have several patients who are WLSers (mostly RNY because that's what's available in our area). Anyway... I was doing a routine physical on one of these patients today - she's about 19 months post-op. She has been having some problems for a few months but has been afraid to see the surgeon because she hasn't taken ANY vitamins for about 9 months (and prior to that it wa**** and miss) and doesn't want to get lectured. She's been getting tingling and weakness in her hands and feet and she can't concentrate. She bursts into tears for no reason at all (which she did during the exam) and it seems to be getting worse.

So... as I'm doing her exam - she starts to get slurred speech and her neurological status starts to deteriorate quickly - can't remember where she is or what year it is. I call 911 and they whisk her off to the ER. I thought she was having a stroke!

The diagnosis - SEVERE MALNUTRITION AND B1 DEFICIENCY!

She will be hospitalized for quite a while to TRY to correct this problem, but I don't know if she will ever be the same.

THIS CAN BE AVOIDED IF YOU TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!!!!!

YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS! You could have the most balanced diet on earth, but you still can't absorb the vits that you need from your food so supplementation is necessary for life - I don't care how good your 3, 6, or 12 month labs look...if you stop taking the vits - you WILL develop deficiencies and you may suffer potentially irreversible complications - including death.

OK - I'll grudgingly step down off my soap box now. But have I made my point????!!!

Bekah

  I am soooooo all over it!!!  I think everyone needs a wake up call now and then...do a cross post and put that on the RNY board, DS board and Grads board...I am serious...do you know how many people you are going to wake up....more than you will probably ever know.

Good idea - I'm on it...

I def believe this! I was feeling like total crapola. Less than a week after I started the "fix-it" plan from Vitalady I already have TONS more energy, my coldness in my hands are MUCH better and I just over-all feel better. (The tender iron is really upsetting my tummy in the morning, but the alternative isn't any better!) Before this surgery I never would have thought that vits (or lack of them) play this much of a role so quickly!

Hi Cass, My vitamin schedule called for 12 Tender-Irons and my stomach just didn't handle it well. So, I orderd VitaLady's Poly-iron capsules. Now I take 6 Tenders and 1 Poly + 2 vitamin Cs; no stomach upset. Oh, and I also ordered some Tender Magnesium Citrate  that I take it with my calcium. The magnesium citrate may help with constipation a bit. I think the jury may still be out, or at least it varies from person to person. The other thing I'm going to start taking is Copper. It's supposed to help us absorb iron. Just some ideas... Gina  

I am sorry but this is way too important for you not to be on your soapbox. This type of thing is very scarey and we all knew it going in so why someone would slack off is beyond me, In all reality how freaking long does it take to put  a vitamin in your mouth and swallow it?

Oh my to go through this whole process and have major surgery to help yourself become a healthier person, and then not take care of yourself afterwards How very sad. Are you able to get updates on your patient Bekah? I am very concerned for this woman. Almost started crying when I read your post. How do you copy and post this on another board. I would love to put it on the Maine board for my friends up here to read. Thank you so much for posting this as it is so so very important.

I think you can just highlight, copy, and paste the text or you can highlight the web address and direct them to this thread. Either way - spread the word and post it wherever you feel the need!

Yes, I can and will be getting updates on her and I'll be sure to inform you all how things turn out.

Bekah

I am sooooooooooooo happy you brought this up!  My husband asked me recently when I was "going to get off the Flintstones' vitamins".  At my last checkup with my surgeon I was in the waiting room and a lady who was about two months post-op was talking to a pre-op.  She mentioned she took her vitamins the first month but she felt so great she didn't need them anymore.  I don't normally butt into a conversation unless something is REALLY wrong.  So, I said "Does Doc know this?  Because if you tell him he's gonna rip you a new backside."  I turned to the pre-op and said "Look, I'm 9 months out and can't imagine not taking all my vitamins.  I'd love to stay as healthy and happy as I am now.  If you don't take them, you're in for a rough ride."  Funny enough, my doctor was right around the corner writing a script when he heard this lady (her voice was LOUD).  He popped out and said "And this is why Cyndi is now at goal with fabulous labs.  And YOU (turning to miss non-vitamin) are in big trouble when you get back here."  She was called back about two minutes later for the talking to of her life.  The pre-op scooted next to me and we talked another 30 minutes.  I told her it's beyond important to take everything if she'd like to stay healthy.  She even asked me to go back there with her to talk with the doctor.  I thought that was pretty sweet. Stay on that soapbox Bekah.  You're doing a huge service to those ****y folks who think WLS rules are just until you hit your goal.

Ok, I'll offer to send the spreadsheet that I use to track my labs and vitamins to everybody; just PM me you email address and I'll forward the file to you. I also have VitaLady's basic proximal-RNY, LapBand/VSG, and Distal/DS vitamin schedules too. Most of this is at home, so it may be tonight before I can send them out. Gina