RE: **Importance of vitamins**

I can attest first hand to the importance of vitamins after WLS. I have neglected my bloodwork, vits, etc and I am now paying for it SEVERELY! I'm in a situation right now where my docs (back surgeon, PCP, OB/GYN etc) are all telling me that I'm actually underweight for my frame and severely malnourished. That's three different doctors all telling me the exact same thing! They said that I should have stopped at around 165-175 pounds (which according to the BMI charts would have put me at still slightly overweight at 5 feet 8 inches tall) however, I became obsessed with the numbers and I'm down to 152 pounds now (it is estimated that 10-15 pounds of that is nothing but excess skin which has no value added to my body) and I'm paying for it. I'm working on it now, but in the past several months, I've been hospitalized with dehydration, had multiple health issues with malnutrition, heart issues, neurological issues, multiple female issues and I've basically wrecked havoc on my body which is thanking me by trying to shut down my kidneys, eating my muscles, etc. This is my own fault and stupidity. I have been exhibiting all of the sign of vitamin deficiencies for months now, however, I didn't go to have some blood work done until last week (see post below titled "Lurker.....need help". My symptoms have included EXTREME (and I do emphasize EXTREME) fatigue, muscle weakness, skin rashes on my hands and face, 'tingling' sensation in my brain, faint feeling constantly, leg cramps with muscle twitches (think I waited for there to be enough symptoms before I decide to act ?). I now know that the little blood work that I had done was atrocious. I would hate to see a complete and full blood workup on myself right now. Everything is either running in the minimum range or lower except for my creatinine. The high creatinine level indicates damage to or swelling of blood vessels in the kidneys caused by dehydration and lack of nutrition. Please Maysters, I beg you. Take your vitamins RELIGIOUSLY. Have your labs done RELIGIOUSLY. If not for your own sake, for the sake of those around you that depend on you. Things could be a lot worse for me right now. I'm just lucky that I have hopefully caught things in time. It was a major wakeup call for me that I wanted to share with all of you before you get the same call. WLS was the best thing that ever happened for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat, however, it takes a lot of work on our part to not just lose the weight and look great, but to be healthy too. I got so wrapped up in the looking good part during the last few months that I forgot that I had this surgery to get healthy. Who is going to see how good I look if I'm six feet under? Sorry if this is harsh and negative. I just love all of my fellow WLS friends (especially all my Maysters) too much to let this one slide by without comment. Heather

Heather - Big hugs to you today!!!!!!! You don't sound negative at all - you sound REAL!! I too have had some issues with malnutrition and it's no fun at all. TPN really sucks. You just got to get back in there, keep track of what you eat, get in those vits. and do the best you can!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!! laurie

Thank you so much! {{{{HUGS BACK AT YA}}}} Heather

Thank you so much for your post, Heather. I will be praying for you as you recover and gain strength. HUGS, Tracy

Your prayers are felt and definately appreciated! {{{{HUGS}}}} Heather

Heather, Thanks for sharing. Hope it helps others not to let strange sensations go on without having them looked at and to take their vitamins and to get their lab tests done regularly. I hope that you get all your issues resolved very quickly through proper vitamins, protein and monitoring. If you aren't taking protein supplements give your malnutrition issues, I'd probably add them into your day a few times to get your body stores back up. Be sure they check all your vitamin levels out fully and carefully. Be sure to get a copy for your own records. If you want we/I can review 'em for you. I've learned alot over the past couple of years and what I don't know (plenty) I know some good places to look things up. My doctor never gave me a goal weight. I'll see him in November after my 18 month labs. Right now I'm 156.5 at 5'7.5". I've lost a couple this month without really trying but I'm keeping an eye on it. Don't think I want to go below 155. While I think I look fine, my hands are beginning to look too thin and I don't want to that follow in other areas of my body too. My muscle tone is good and I keep my protein intake high and have taken my vitamins religiously and have gotten my labs done on schedule (every 3 months 1st year and now every 6 months) May have to increase my intake - what a strange, strange concept. Good luck with everything. Please do not remain a lurker. We have had a few people here go through this and we can help and everyone can definitely learn from your and their experienced. Hugs, Kathy

I did get a copy for my records. They didn't check much, but I definately want to run the numbers by you. Problem is, I only have internet access at work and I keep forgetting to bring the copies to work with me . Hopefully I will remember them one day this week and I'll email you the results. I have another appointment with my new OB/GYN next week and I'm hoping that she'll actually run some more extensive blood work. She not only understands medically the WLS, but she is a WLS patient as well so I'm hoping that she'll know more what to look at as far a labs than my regular PCP. Don't get me wrong, I love my PCP to death, however, he's not so up to date about WLS (I live in a small little redneck town here in southwest VA that isn't exactly a medical advances hotspot if you know what I mean). Thanks again Kathy Heather P.S. My brother is a VA state trooper in Fauquier County. Maybe next time I go up to see him, I can give you a call and I can finally meet my WLS date twin!