Low B12 post surgery

[aufan 69]

I just returned from my primary care doc and my lab results say I'm low in B12. She said its an absorption issue and common after WLS. I have to get shots now weekly for a month then monthly. On the plus side I am down 21 lbs since seeing her in Feb before surgery. Not to mention I'm bloated too right now. Lol!!

I'm curious if anyone else has had this issue. Did anyone take the B12 shots and if so what did it do to your progress? I'm nervous about the shots making me more hungry than I am. Hope it does help my energy level though.

Thanks a bunch y'all!

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[jaxjen11 14]

I have had chronically low B12 since my gastric bypass surgery in 2004. I take weekly shots at home because I've never been able to get it back to normal. I just got the band on 5/1... but I didn't think that banders would have the same B12 issue because there's no malabsorption due to the rerouting of the intestines. The shots personally don't do anything related to hunger -- but they do give you more energy which might be productive for weight loss. That's my two cents...

[aufan 69]

I have had chronically low B12 since my gastric bypass surgery in 2004. I take weekly shots at home because I've never been able to get it back to normal. I just got the band on 5/1... but I didn't think that banders would have the same B12 issue because there's no malabsorption due to the rerouting of the intestines. The shots personally don't do anything related to hunger -- but they do give you more energy which might be productive for weight loss. That's my two cents...

Thanks for your insight! From what I'm reading cutting out fortified cereals and breads has likely affect me losing my main intake of B12. Since there is no way I'm going to eat that now I guess the shots are for me. I'm not brave enough to do them myself yet!!

Really would love some energy though!!

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[this sucks 557]

I have had chronically low B12 since my gastric bypass surgery in 2004. I take weekly shots at home because I've never been able to get it back to normal. I just got the band on 5/1... but I didn't think that banders would have the same B12 issue because there's no malabsorption due to the rerouting of the intestines. The shots personally don't do anything related to hunger -- but they do give you more energy which might be productive for weight loss. That's my two cents...

Bandsters DO have Vitamin deficiency issues and I'm here to tell you that it is no fun to go through.

B12, Iron, D all became very low about a year and a half post banding. Just because we aren't re-routed doesn't mean that we can absorb all the Vitamins we need.

I will take some blame for mine though. I thought it was better to use Meal Replacement bars and shakes rather than learn to eat real food. Learned that we need real food to stay healthy.

Take your vitamins!!!

[mrsto 2,925]

Thanks for your insight! From what I'm reading cutting out fortified cereals and breads has likely affect me losing my main intake of B12. Since there is no way I'm going to eat that now I guess the shots are for me. I'm not brave enough to do them myself yet!!

Really would love some energy though!!

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Is self administering the B12 shots an option? I would totally do that! Right now I'm taking sublingual B12. That's what my doc recommends.....for absorption issues. I don't know if I'm deficient, but I will get the blood work done in the next couple of months.

[aufan 69]

My doc gave me the option to do shots at home and I asked for her nurse to do it for me. I'm squeamish around needles. She also said the sublingual B12 wasn't the best way to get a boost I need to bring me back up to good levels.

If I end up having to do it weekly long term I might learn to give the shots myself.

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