Question:
How many delay bloodwork because the possible results frighten them?
I just got my bloodwork drawn today, after putting it off a long time. I find it so stressful. How many others are like me? I suspect it might be a lot... — bob-haller (posted on August 18, 2004)
August 17, 2004
I know how you feel. I was supposed to go for my three month check up
almost a month ago. I know I am doing the wrong thing, especially this
early in the game. It would only take a phone call to make the
appointment, but I am not looking forward to it.
— Peggy Boyd
August 18, 2004
I always put it off prior to WLS, they could never find a vein or they
would have other problems and they never failed to tell me how much trouble
drawing blood from me was. I found myself almost apologizing. The chair I
had to sit in
was so small, I could barely fit in it. I hated going. I still dont like
to go and I think alot of the problem is from past experiences. I
anticipate its going to be like before.
— debmi
August 18, 2004
Now, Bob, you know better! The blood work we have done is not so the doc
can find something to chastise us about, but rather to spot problems before
they get bigger. I see my PCP about every three months and he almost always
orders some labs. In fact, he orders the labs and I have them drawn about a
week or so before I see him so they are in his hands and we can deal with
any changes I need to make at my upcoming visit. I like that better than
having labs drawn at or right after a visit and wondering what the results
might be. As far as being stressed by the actual blood draw part, you are
not alone. I don't think there are many normal folks who relish the thought
of being stuck with that big needle!(As a nurse, I prefer to be ont he
other end of that needle, believe me!) Still, it doesn't take long and you
just have to get through it! Take care---
— koogy
August 18, 2004
Bloodwork and other testing may be a inconvenient and/or stressful but it's
nothing compared to living with severe anemia, osteoporosis or the
consequences other undetected vitamin/nutritional deficiencies. None of us
can really afford to go without regular testing. We've had our innards
rearranged and even proximals malabsorb nutrients. Make the call, people!
hugs,
Ann .....RNY 9/10/99...260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
August 18, 2004
I had my 2-year bloodwork done this morning and I will admit while it does
cross my mind, after I get the results, it's always a comfort that I did
it. I've spent so much of my life not taking care of myself that it's just
reinforcement how important it is to take care of myself.
— Cathy S.
August 18, 2004
Like Susan said it's to identify issues before they become a huge problem.
My reaction also was, "Bob you know better". Okay I'm done being
your mom now. I just had my 18 month follow-up on Monday and all-in-all my
bloodwork looked very good. I am slightly low in a few areas (magnesium,
iron, hemoglobin, calcium etc.), but very little. He gave me a bunch of
papers that listed foods that are rich in the particular things I am short
in so I can make sure I am including some of them. The iron and hemoglobin
deficiencies were no surprise because ever since I lost the 5 units of
blood with my first PS alomst 6 months ago I've struggled to get it back up
to normal. Then with having another PS 9 weeks ago it just added to it,
but they are coming up. I was doing the iron supplements but I get so
horribly constipated that it causes major problems, especially with my anal
fissure I've had for years. The surgeon was pleased. My liver panel
looked good again - wasn't so good at my 1 yr. My zinc has come back up
also. The strange part is my protein still hangs at 5.7 with 6.0 being the
minimum. It has never been higher than 5.9, yet I eat way more protein
than what is required. However, I suspect in proportion to everything I
eat it isn't high enough. I know that most days I am pushing 100 grams and
some days over. But I also usually eat 1500 calories a day (upwards of
2000 on a not so good day). So even at 100 grams of protein that still
leaves a large percentage going in as carbs and fat.
<p>Putting off the bloodwork is just going to get us in trouble is
all I can say. So suck it up and get it done on time! In the long run it
will help protect us all from the unknowns of the effects of WLS. I hope
everything looks great when you see the doc and if not you will work on
fixing it I am sure.
— zoedogcbr
August 18, 2004
Bad Bob!! Bad, bad Bob! ;) But I'm just as guilty-- I put off my 18 month
follow up appt for 2 months because I knew the blood work would show
problems. And, having slacked on the vitamin and protein supp regimen, it
DID show problems! Low iron, ferritin and blood counts-- so now I'm back to
being a good WLS patient and taking all my pills.
Bob, I think it's very normal and common to fear test results, especially
if you know you haven't been doing the right things or if you just feel
like something is "not right". I think for many WLS patients, we
are so used to hearing bad news about our weight and bodies, that no amount
of good news will ever be enough. For me, it is always the fear that my
surgeon will take one look at me and say, "You are not losing enough
weight!", when I know he would never say that. When I asked him about
it, he assured me that he didn't care if I ever got to a "goal"
weight, that all he cared about was that I was healthy, didn't have
co-morbs, was eercising plenty, eating right and taking my vitamins.
— lizinPA
August 18, 2004
I was gonna shake my finger at you :) until I realized that I skipped one
of my 6 month checks last year! Not because I'm scared, but because I'm
lazy, and the results have always come back OK. My Mom is the same way as
you though w/ test results (but she's not post-op WLS). She just figures
if she doesn't know about something, it's like it's not really there. She
also hides her symptoms from the doc and just tells half the story,
thinking that if he doesn't FIND a problem, she must not HAVE one. You
don't do THAT do you? ;-)
Linda
— mom2jtx3
August 18, 2004
OK, I'm a nerd. I love bloodwork! Not having it taken, mind you, but
reading the lab report, comparing it to the old reports, and taking comfort
in the fact I can address deficiencies before they happen if I stay on top
of them. Maybe I worry them too much, but it's cool to see how I can
influence the results (to some extent) by my behaviors in supplementing,
and that reinforces the need to do so. They make me "believe"
all over again in how important it is to track things and take supplements,
and I think that kind of reminder is good. Plus, I get to
"google" the results I don't understand and then drive my poor
doctors nuts with questions spawned by half-a**'ed online research
(elicting that "oh no, not the internet again!" look). But in
all seriousness, I've learned some really important stuff that way, even if
somewhat accidentally. Knowledge is power, baby!
— Suzy C.
August 18, 2004
Oh, Bob, I sympathize! My one year lab work was due in March...I got it
done in July. So bad! And the thing is, it came back great, so it's
pointless to get worked up about it.
— vittycat
August 18, 2004
Pre-op I was so hard to stick because my veins were under so much fat. So
much, in fact that they couldn't find a vein the day of surgery. They
knocked me out and used my neck! Now I go for bloodwork, they see the vein
before I even squeeze the bally-thing. LOL.
— mrsmyranow
August 18, 2004
Bob
Let me speak as a professional and not as one who is afraid of getting
stuck by a needle(because I am). The blood tests that are done are very
important in your pre-op and post-op treatment. Sometimes it is the only
way your doctor will know something is wrong with you before it gets out of
control.
Just think of it this way, a little prick in time saves nine.
— Teresa O.
August 18, 2004
<gasp!> Look at it as a treasure hunt. You can also see what you did
RIGHT! I'm with Suzy. If I could get 'em monthly, I would. I like to tweak
everything down nice 'n tight. My docs roll their eyes, but I won't have
any of that "all gastric bypass people are sickly" talk in MY
charts. I am more than happy to take credit for my good numbers,
especially if they are improved, and um, well, just tweak the ones that are
not so good. I'm not above adding more supplementation to bring numbers up
or adjusting down to bring something down a bit. My PCP just shrugs his
shoulders with some of the elements and I hardly ever hear from my WLS
docs. May be preaching to the choir, though, I dunno. LOL. Think of it as
an ADVENTURE! A chance to pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
— vitalady
August 18, 2004
Well, i have put mine off, but not for fear ,
when i had my surgery , i was on insurance, now im self pay, well,,,,,,
our income isnt quite supportive of the 200.00 for me to have my lab work
done ...
i get my iron tested for free . at the WIC office, but i havent had a
complete blood panel ,
i take my vitamins almost religiously !though , so i know i am getting the
minimums in , and i watch my protien , breakfast every day is a 23 gram
protien drink
i am worried abotu my b levels and calcium , so i make sure i take extra .
i still havent had my 6 month work done, and im now 10 months out ....
this is also complicated by the fact that i havent seen my surgeon since my
6 week post op visit , he charges 400.00 for a doctors visit , my pcp is
only 60.00 so you can guess which one i go see .... thankfully my pcp has 4
other wls patients
— bethlaf
August 19, 2004
I am thrilled to report my numbers are normal or really close. cholestrol
153, HA1C 6.0 fasting glucose 104 a bit high, they lowered the normal
number to under 100:(. <P>pre op cholestrol 275, HA1C 12 or so:(
fasting glucose about 200 or more. RNY SAVED MY LIFE! <P> Incidently
I hate needles and waiting for test results. These numbers are a big
relief, as I have been under LOTS of stress attempting to sell my moms
home, she died 7 years ago and it was rented till the tenant died.
— bob-haller
Click Here to Return