Anemia after gastric bypass question

[SusieQ2019 567]

I've always been a little anemic. Can anyone tell me if they were anemic before RNY and what effect it had on them after the surgery. I would really prefer to do the RNY but if it will become a health issue do to malabsorption I will probably change to the sleeve. I plan to discuss this with my doctor on March 20th. I do understand that i will be required to take Vitamins for both surgeries which i am pretty good at but I do not want to have to deal with anemia after my surgery.

I greatly appreciate any input.

[elcee 3,341]

I have heard of people with both the sleeve and rny having to have Iron infusions due to anaemia

[SusieQ2019 567]

Thank you Elcee, I read that as well. I will see what my dr. say on Wednesday.

[Frustr8 7,886]

On 03/16/2019 at 12:15 AM ,SusieQ2019 said:

I've always been a little anemic. Can anyone tell me if they were anemic before RNY and what effect it had on them after the surgery. I would really prefer to do the RNY but if it will become a health issue do to malabsorption I will probably change to the sleeve. I plan to discuss this with my doctor on March 20th. I do understand that i will be required to take Vitamins for both surgeries which i am pretty good at but I do not want to have to deal with anemia after my surgery.

I greatly appreciate any input.

Well I wasn't more than slightly anemic before mine last September 5th, I had some troubles with my healing, developed a stomal stricture, jejunenal ulcers, don't worry about these, I am a rare bird, most RnY do not have these bad occurrences, anyway I had to have a PICC line installed on November 29th so I could let my gastrointestinal system heal, I was being fed supplementally through my vein in my upper left arm, it really sounds more scary than it was, don't laugh but I got used to the TPN, I kind of miss it. But I am doing pretty good back eating again, my weight loss has started up again and that's good! At any rate I wanted to tell you I have been faithful with my meds, then they told me after one of my blood draws, when you're on TPN you get them every week, that my. Iron levels were low so they added another iron 💊, well it strangely did not digest in or something because I did have an iron INFUSION last Monday the 11th. It really isn't that bad a thing, mostly like a long- timed IV. Let me run you through it, showed up at the INFUSION center, got weighed and other vitals done, an IV put in, the needle was what I Call an airplane needle had like a flattened wing to lay against your skin. These were done in the lab, then we walked to like a special suite, this was in a tower so the rooms/cubicles are pie shaped. Started an IV of Saline, let that run in maybe a half- hour, things were going good so they piggy backed in a small bag of solution, watched me close to make sure I didn't have any weird reactions, I had a comfy recliner to sit in, all the warm blankets I could desire, must have been stellar because they let bage # 1 finish draining in, then gave me Steroid, 2 Benadryl and 2 Tylenol, started a new big bag, made sure it was flowing well then brought in the Big Bad Infusion to add in, a clear golden in color, knew what was going to happen - Benadryl kicks my tushie bad, so I drifted in and out of sleep, but no strange taste in my mouth, no hives, no headache, no feeling flushed, nausea or anything thing else. Whole thing started 8:30-9AM, done by 2:30pm, and I was treated very fine, if I need another in 3 months, I wouldn't mind going there again. If I hadn't been doing weekly bloods they might not known as quick as they did, because I didn't look pale or anything to the average person. I do feel better, not as short of breath so I guess it did me some good!😝

[SusieQ2019 567]

Thank you, Frustr8 I am glad that you are doing very well. Your strength reassure me. I am glad for this forum and will update you all after my surgeon's appointment.

The office called Friday to schedule the date but they needed some clarification on whether sleeve or RNY.

[AZhiker 2,252]

My question to you is why have you been anemic? There are many causes, and getting to the root of it may be your answer. Poor absorption, not enough dietary intake to start with, B-12 deficiency? sluggish bone marrow? The easiest to fix would be insufficient intake. You may have to increase your animal Protein. I'm just starting to handle small amounts of egg, chicken, and fish. But soft liver goes down well and I am going to eat that every week, to help cover Iron issues. If you can fix the underlying issue, it will be something you can deal with after surgery. Good luck. Let us know what the doctor says.

[SusieQ2019 567]

My previous pcp told me B12. My parents use to cook a lot of liver but after I moved to the US I've never ate again 29yrs ago. I will add anything in my diet that is necessary. Liver is not to bad. I also do not eat fish or any sea food. I heard people say that they develop a liking for some food that they did not eat prior to surgery maybe that will happen with fish.

Thank you.

[AZhiker 2,252]

Have you ever gotten B-12 injections? Did they help?

[SusieQ2019 567]

No I used to liquid form. That was about 5 yrs ago and no one mentioned it since. My cardiologist nurse mentioned it to me when I was getting my clearance.

Edited March 17, 2019 by SusieQ2019

[SusieQ2019 567]

Azhiker you are off to a good start. How long did you take off from work and i see that we have about the same goal weight.

[AZhiker 2,252]

I took 2 weeks off, which was just right, My weight loss has been steady - a big drop from the 2 week pre-op to surgery, bit of gain the week after surgery (normal with all the tissue swelling and IV fluids), and then 4 pounds a week ever since. I am really working at this, By day 7 post-op, I was walking 10,000 steps a day. I am still doing that, along with 10 flights of stairs a day. I am also working in time on my elliptical machine and starting some light weight work. I am up to eating about 500 cal/day, which feels right to me at this point. I have plenty of energy. I know stalls happen, but I am trying very hard to keep the scale heading down by trying to be super active and logging every bite. No cheating. It's not worth it! I would like to be pretty close to goal weight by 6 months out. That might be unrealistic, but right now I don't have an appetite and I sure want to take advantage of that while I have the opportunity,

There are sublingual B-12 tablets that dissolve and absorb right under your tongue, bypassing the GI tract. That might be something you could try. You don't have to take them with meals. Please keep us informed about what your doctor says.

[SusieQ2019 567]

Azhiker you are doing great keep up the good work. I will post an update on Wednesday. RNY or sleeve I will be moving on with one. I like to exercise and will be maximizing my weight loss with either one.

Thanks again for your encouragement.