ROLL CALL - 5 years as of 5/5/03 -- weight maintained - deficiencies anyone?

Five years out and still maintaining my loss of 100 lbs! I am under the impression that 5 yrs out means an iron deficiency for gastric bypass people. I've not had but then I have chronic fatigue too. Sent an e-mail to my surgeon regarding iron. I am potassium deficient and now taking RX of potassium which I just started last night. I thought I was having horrid hot flashes with profuse sweating and of course, the trots, nausea, feeling faint if I ate the wrong thing (which I still try to DO on occasion). I was also having odd muscle spasms (in my stomach too) and charley horses too. BUT, it turns out that these very symptoms indicate postassium deficiency! So those of you who may experience the same thing I did and blame it on eating improperly, you may be potassium deficient! I also learned from my surgeon that time released drugs of ANY KIND do not work for a gastric bypass patient. Hope EVERYONE is doing well! Please let me know if you have other deficiencies after 5 yrs. out !!! Knowledge is power! Georgia

Hello, I am also 5 years out..originally lost about 150 pounds and at this point have kept about 110 off but i have major definiciences. I am on a weekly RX dose of vitamin D, I have an iron definciency and i have osteoporis and take Boniva once a month and have had the bone issue now for 2 years...i am 43 and very active but there are days especially my iron and bone density really bother me. It comes with the surgery and anyone who has had gastric bypass really needs to stay on top of the bone scans because it does happen. I have a specialist I see every 6 months and have blood work ups done to make sure I am on the correct meds. I started out 5'5 weighing 300 and I would love to be back down to 150 but i think my stable weight will be around 190 ugh! Have a great holiday!!

Hi! I'm 5 years out as of May 15th! Fortunately my labs are all on great shape! I have regained 60 of about 250 lost. It all comes down to consistent excise and better attention to my diet! Best gift I ever gave myself!

I, too, am 5+ years out.  I've always dealt with low iron, even before surgery.  I've been taking a liquid multi-supplement for 9 months now, and my doc recently said my "lab work is great"!!  I'm very pleased.  I guess I'll have a bone scan soon, too.  My original weight was 344, I got down to 192, and am now at 201, trying to lose that other 9 pounds.  I'm still thrilled with my surgery and wouldn't change a thing!!  I do drink a soy milk product instead of milk, but that's okay, because it tastes great and who cares if I can't drink the actual moo-juice!  I still like chocolate, cookies, and tater tots, and not much makes me "dump" (can't remember the last time that I did that, either).  I still try not to drink with my food, although I do eat frequently all day, consuming most of my calories before 4pm in the day. Thanks for the "roll call".  God bless! 

I am also five years out (May 2003) and have so many deficiencies. I believe it was successful and if I had a choice to go back and make any changes I would STILL choose to have a RNY.

I lost a hundred pounds in the first 10 months and then I went up and down in my weight but always staying about 180 to 200 lbs. When my hair started falling out and my nails grew ridges, I knew there was something wrong but the doctors continued to tell me I was fine.  Ten months followed with me chewing ice constantly to the point of cracking two molars. I was tired all the time and could remember simple things.  That's the first clue I had that absorption was going to be a problem. I just didn't know how bad.

Well, once the blood work was in the doctors' all had to agree that I wasn't absorbing iron from food nor supplement. I received an iron infusion and started feeling like myself again but it didn't last long. It was like my stomach was shutting down more and more of its surface was not working.

To make a long story short, I am now taking B-12 shots, iron infusions, lovenox, and still I am having difficulties with many of the medication but my life seems like I'm in battle. Fighting to get me the proper treatment. So if there is any information that you have to give, even ideas at this point I would be grateful. 

Karene,
Wow, it sounds like you need some good nutrition, quick!  I'd love to get you some help with the products that I've been taking.  Check out my bio, and if you'd like to know more, let me know.  My e-mail address is [email protected]