Thalassemia and Bypass?

[njlimmer 344]

I have the minor form of Thalassemia which is a type of anemia where I don’t absorb Iron well. All of my blood counts are perpetually low all the time. After I had my first child, my OB said that normally they’d give a blood transfusion to someone with my numbers, but not me because that was just where my numbers lived! I’m just wondering if anyone else has it and if you had any complications from surgery - especially bypass?

I’ve never seen a hematologist because it doesn’t really affect me, but wondering if I should try and get in before I do surgery.

[AZhiker 2,253]

Your surgeon may well want it checked out. Do you have a surgery date yet?

[Jaelzion 1,128]

19 hours ago, njlimmer said:

I have the minor form of Thalassemia which is a type of anemia where I don’t absorb Iron well. All of my blood counts are perpetually low all the time. After I had my first child, my OB said that normally they’d give a blood transfusion to someone with my numbers, but not me because that was just where my numbers lived! I’m just wondering if anyone else has it and if you had any complications from surgery - especially bypass?

I’ve never seen a hematologist because it doesn’t really affect me, but wondering if I should try and get in before I do surgery.

I'd say it's definitely worth seeing a hematologist, if only to find out whether you will need any special post-op management. I have a blood disorder myself (a different one) and the hematologist I saw did tell me I would need a specific medication after weight loss surgery. My insurance refused to approve it and I couldn't pay for it out of pocket. Just like the hematologist predicted, I ended up in the hospital with a life-threatening blood clot. If my insurance company hadn't prevented me from following my hemadoc's advice, I could have avoided that whole episode. It's always good to check with a specialist if you have any conditions that could be affected by the surgery.

Edited December 26, 2020 by Jaelzion

[njlimmer 344]

Thanks! I don’t have a surgery date yet, but I’m hoping for March so I guess I need to get on the ball and find a doc!

[bufbills 316]

Wasn't an issue with my sleeve. Doc saw it in my labs and wasn't concerned.