Low Hemoglobin, Ferritin, and Iron 3 years out, anyone else?

[swimbikerun 1,045]

I wouldn't have a problem with that if they'd give us the data. They never will. Given what I do for a living, and how their "experience" has come up against my "research/data", I am pretty sure they won't either. LOL.

Or they'll massage it first and I don't want that.

I've taken more math than a doctor has had to.

[carstanger 346]

Sounds like you didn't have a good experience and I feel badly! My surgeon is a member of the ASMBS, is a Center for Excellence, and teaches for Cleveland Clinic. He has been part of their study for the plication procedure. I was asked if I wanted to be part of a study with Blue Cross/Blue Shield which was optional. His is very strict in his requirements before and after surgery. I signed a contract with him that I would follow up with him, as he wants to know how we are doing. One of my daughters is a family practice doc. in his area, and had the surgery before me and she was impressed with his before and after follow-up. It was my family doctor that referred me to the osteoporosis clinic in my home town as that is their specialty. I live in Jackson MI and the bariatric surgeries are not done here at this time. I travel 2 hours to go to their follow-up classes with the nutritionists and support groups. He also repaired a hiatal hernia, and removed a non-functioning gall bladder that he found before my surgery. My experience has been wonderful and his staff are wonderful! I can order Protein and Vitamins from his office if I want. Every time I go for a checkup, they also have me fill out a form about how I am feeling about things. Don't know the name of the form though. My regular doctor asked me if I would be willing to talk one to one with people considering the surgery as he considered me as more of an expert since I had gone through it. My orthopedic doctor, also was asking me questions, as he went to Grand Rapids to have his done. He said he did lots of research, too. Glad you are asking questions.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

@@swimbikerun What do you do for a living?

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Computer nerd - analysis for a large business entity. The job before was pretty much nothing but # crunching.

At this second, I can't guarentee the accuracy of this statement, but I could in the past. From what I see on the internet, it has changed (broadened). 2 semesters of calculus (and I had to take more than that to graduate with a major in the field) are not required at a number of medical schools. If you had stats to that, its an even smaller portion.

Math teaches logic, following some steps and patterns, as does IT. Medical school unfortunately is not always about logic and science where it needs to apply it.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

So is mine. We are not asked separately whether we want to be in their data studies or not. At least I wasn't and I know of no one else who wasn't "volunteered" in their databases.

I'm just glad lots of others will ask questions. I'd love to see everyone with a long list of questions. It would make choosing the surgeon and the program that is the best for that person and their own life style, decisions, and circumstances.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I think I signed something about data gathered but I need to check my paperwork.

I am in the sister study since I think 04 or 05 so I guess I am one of those more comfortable with it. Sister study you get ZERO feedback on your tests but are part of 50000 sisters of breast cancer patients. I do it in hopes that in the future there won't be sisters who lost their baby sis to this horrible disease so young. I personally gain no benefit and have subjected my home to toxic sampling, been weighed, had blood draws and fill out extensive questionnaires regularly

[swimbikerun 1,045]

You are great on that. I want to know because I keep on top of data and help out who I can. If the doc or the office has a stinky attitude, why not ask a regular person? You might get a more friendly and faster answer.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I've been anemic almost the entire time since I've been sleeved. I have always taken Iron, and I was still anemic.

Recently, I switched to Proferrin. It's so much better absorpbed and it's not constipating. I just had blood work done, so I will be curious to see if it's helped. It's much more expensive.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Oregondaisy I wish I had your patience. After the 8 months of Iron pills, (actually at 6 months I had enough), I said this crap isn't working and went to a hematologist. 5 rounds of IV Iron and it all of a sudden came up. Ok ... a B12 shot and a B1 shot and then it did. Now, about 8-9 months later, I'm dropping back down again. Hematologist figures within 6 months or at the least 6-12 ... another IV round.

At least better than trying to take horse pills that I seem to have issues with. Or any pill that I end up having issues with. I've even had to switch up the thyroid pill ... Vitamin D pills ... since they can prove to be a bother.

[trish151 33]

I was taking the PPI for 6 months and was feeling lousy. You might want to do some research on the problems of low stomach acid. They are closely related and the PPI can stop you from absorbing some Vitamins and minerals. I was doing some research on some stuff because apparently I have dumping syndrome and I ran across where some sleeve patients don't have enough stomach acid to digest the amount of Protein they are eating and they can have reflux. Research HCL with pepsin. It might be something that helps you figure it all out. Best of luck to you.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Thank you for this - good to review/research.

[jenni_867 14]

Yes I'm currently getting Iron infusions, Venofer. I'm set up for infusions every month for 4 months, then once every 3 months for a year. I was having terrible night sweats, i was pale, and my hair was falling out. I tried to up my Protein, dr put me on BC, and Istarted taking iron pills and nothing helped. I went to my dr again, thinking I was going through early menopause. She sent me for blood work , and it turns out I had extremely low hemoglobin. She sent me to a specialist and he determined the anemia is caused because my body doesn't absorb the iron because of the VSG. He took me off proferin and now I'm on infusions. So far so good

[jenni_867 14]

I forgot to add my surgery was Nov 2011.... Almost 3 years!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I don't really eat a lot of Protein. I read that it goes my your height. For my height, I only need 60 grams a day. I worry about too much Protein bc it's not good for the kidneys.

I thought my last blood test checked my Iron but it didn't . I was told to stop all B12 bc my b Vitamin levels were all way too high. So apparently, I am absorping my b vitiamins just fine. I guess I am not due to have my Iron checked again until fall.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Oregondaisy

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Does any one know where they would find it goes by height for Protein? I'd like to look at the resources. I've not seen them and am always adding to knowledge.

As for kidneys, the only time I've heard of it being hard on the kidneys is for people who are dehydrated (and that isn't on a one time basis type of thing) and those who have kidney disease already. That's again going by research.

If B12 levels are high - as in 2000 is what I've heard, meaning the level is probably more like 1500, one of the reasons for that is leukemia. I can check that.