Anemic - may have to postpone band

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Good afternoon Sistas,

I got some difficult news today :thumbs_up:...I am anemic (found out at pre-surgery blood test) and they may want to postpone my surgery until my numbers look better. :tt2::eek::mad:

My PCP told me and of course I cried...the good news was that my irregular heartbeat did not show up (good EKG) and my prior challenge with my platelet levels is gone - they are normal again.

I SO want to have my surgery on Nov 17th! :frown: I am praying that taking my Iron supplement and eating iron-rich foods will help bring them up, and that my surgeon doesn't feel it's that much of an issue...

Pray for me, sistas - I sure need it right now! :cool2::crying::w00t:

[*slim* 2]

You have my prayers Ebony!

[sil 0]

hi ebonyrose sorry to hear about your problem i will be praying for you all the way.it will happen.for you keeping you in my thoughts.sil

[LoveIslovely 0]

Hmm that's weird. I had and now improving my chronic anemia. My surgery wasn't cancalled. My blood was at about 17.

[luluc 6]

i'll be thinking of you ebony!

you've been waiting for this for a LONG time!

[aprilapple 1]

Stay faithful! Your day will come! Oh and pan fry you some calf liver (I don't eat it but I heard that it's loaded with iron)

[janetj 1]

Sorry to hear that. My surgery was postponed because the tests showed I was anemic. My hemoglobin was 6.9 (normal is between 12and 16). I was totally beside myself. I found out 2 weeks before my date of August 4th.

The surgeon would not touch me until my blood was at least a 10. It took about 5 weeks for it to get up and on my surgery day, Oct. 6, it was 10.5. It had been as high as 11.8, but I had a real long and heavy period that lasted from September 18th till the day before surgery.

I was so disappointed that it had to be canceled but, when you are anmenic your heart and lungs don't get enough oxygen and they are stressed so it's too risky to put you under and also you are more likely to have severe bleeding. So while it is disappointing, it's safest to wait.

Let me know if you have any questions and good luck.

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Very happy update - my surgery is ON! :biggrin::thumbup::biggrin::tt2:

Went for my pre-op testing and consult with the surgeon yesterday, and he didn't even mention my anemia - he was more concerned with my prior abdominal surgeries!:cool2:

My November 17th date is now good again, and I can't wait! I've lost another 5 pounds, so my pre-op diet is working just like I'd intended. My surgeon was impressed that I'd lost another 5 prior to surgery and praised my seriousness about the process.

I'm so excited! I started taking a product called SSS Tonic (available at Walgreens) which has definately helped. It was recommended to me by a friend who has had the bypass. I feel the difference in just 4 days...I'm not so cold anymore, and because it's a liquid, it's easy to take.

I will continue to take it after I am banded - I want to be sure NOT to backslide. I can't wait for Monday - final shopping trip this weekend for post-op stuff, and then Monday I'll be banded!:w00t::w00t::w00t:

Thank you all for your encouragement, prayers, good wishes and positive thoughts...it works!

[sil 0]

don,t wanna brag but told you it will happen for you. next monday is your brand new beginning.quick question did dr.bell require a pre-op diet.since april i have lost 27lbs. trying to maintain now i think i,ve lost more the scale says around 285.maybe it,s my eyes.but never in a million years did i think i could do this i guest knowing i am getting the band makes me more determine.have a great weekend. because monday is your day. keep us posted.sil

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Hey Sil,

Yes, you told me so! :wub:

Thanks for the good wishes and prayers - they work! I've been working with Dr. Duffy, and he did NOT require a pre-op diet. I chose to do one because I read so much about an enlarged liver being a problem during surgery that I wanted to give the surgeon as easy a time as I could. I started a pre-op diet of my own (2 shakes a day, 1 meal) two weeks before surgery. I fell off the wagon a bit this week, but will be okay, I think. Back on the shakes for the weekend to empty out my system, and Monday, I'll be in Bandland!

I agree with you - the pre-op diet would have been WAAY to hard without the reward of being banded on the other side of it. I have tried it before to lose weight, but never really succeeded.

My DH and DD are even going to follow me through the stages of my post-op eating plan. They are going to do liquids with me for two weeks, then mushies, and then back to real food. They are sweet to do that - and it will help both of them get on the right track as well. They will, of course, eat more than I will, but having company will make it easier for me.

I will be sure to check in after my surgery - I'm so excited I can't see straight!!! :thumbup::biggrin::w00t::thumbup::w00t::w00t::thumbup::biggrin:

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Hey Sistas,

Had to check in and thank you all for your good wishes and prayers...they work!

I am 5 days out from surgery and doing very well. I'm drinking my liquids / Protein and feeling good. I've taken at least a 1 mile walk each day, and feeling stronger each day. I'm no longer taking any Tylenol or aspirin during the day, but I do still use a painkiller at night - I tend to sleep on my side, and that's still a little uncomfortable.

I've lost about 10 lbs so far since the surgery, and not feeling 'true' hunger at all. The head hunger is a totally different story...I think it's because I would normally be eating SO MUCH that my head thinks I'm starving. I LOVE the Isopure Protein - it's a clear liquid, and has 40+ gms of protein per bottle. Of course, it took me 3 days to go through a bottle (following doc's orders not to eat too much) but since it's a little on the pricey side, I don't mind too much.

I'm having NO trouble with my incisions - one of the smaller ones seems to have "opened", but it looks like a paper cut, so I'm not too worried. The one covering my port was hard to find at first - they are not puffy or anything, but a gentle touch around it let me know where the port was. My DH says I'm a little bruised around that area, so that confirmed it.

I'm doing great and wouldn't go back for anything in the world. Gotta update my ticker - wishing you all the absolute best!!:smile2:

[*slim* 2]

It's so good to hear that you are doing so well after surgery! I knew that you would do great! Welcome to bandland!

[LastOptionAtty 0]

Hey Sistas,

Had to check in and thank you all for your good wishes and prayers...they work!

I am 5 days out from surgery and doing very well. I'm drinking my liquids / Protein and feeling good. I've taken at least a 1 mile walk each day, and feeling stronger each day. I'm no longer taking any Tylenol or aspirin during the day, but I do still use a painkiller at night - I tend to sleep on my side, and that's still a little uncomfortable.

I've lost about 10 lbs so far since the surgery, and not feeling 'true' hunger at all. The head hunger is a totally different story...I think it's because I would normally be eating SO MUCH that my head thinks I'm starving. I LOVE the Isopure Protein - it's a clear liquid, and has 40+ gms of protein per bottle. Of course, it took me 3 days to go through a bottle (following doc's orders not to eat too much) but since it's a little on the pricey side, I don't mind too much.

I'm having NO trouble with my incisions - one of the smaller ones seems to have "opened", but it looks like a paper cut, so I'm not too worried. The one covering my port was hard to find at first - they are not puffy or anything, but a gentle touch around it let me know where the port was. My DH says I'm a little bruised around that area, so that confirmed it.

I'm doing great and wouldn't go back for anything in the world. Gotta update my ticker - wishing you all the absolute best!!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH:biggrin::biggrin: So glad you are doing so well I have been checking in everyday waiting for an update!!! Keep us posted can't wait to hear your progress:thumbup: Congratsssss

[aprilapple 1]

Congratulations girlie! Glad to hear that you are doing well. Keep us posted on your weight loss journey.