I do take iron occassionally because at my 6 month check up I was on the verge of being low and the doctor said by my 1 year check up I would have to start taking iron on a regular basis so I started taking it a couple times a week back in April. I have found if I don't take iron atleast 3 times a week I get tired. I have actually gotten to the point where I try to take everyday. Side affects of taking iron constipation so increase your fiber intake. Good luck.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TARA!!! It is totally amazing how fast this year has gone by. Time flies when your living it doesn't it lol. *HUGS* Thanks again so much!! Felicia =0)

Thank you so very much!!! I sooooo appreciate your comments!! *huggles* Felicia =0)

Hi Holly! Yes, most WLS patients have issues with iron. We no longer absorb it very well. At my 6 month check-up, my Ferritin was down to 23. The surgeon sent me to a hemotologist for consult for an iron infusion. He had me try oral Iron Glyconate (sp?) for a month, which did nothing to change the count so I had an infusion. I was taking twice the recommended dosage of this iron, which was 56 mg per day. The RSDA recommends 18 mg per day. I was really worried about the infusion, but it turned out to be no problem at all.....it was kind of nice actually, like forced relaxation. The hemotologist says that I will need to have infusions periodically for the rest of my life, either once or twice a year. I had noticed a bit of fatigue at the time of the blood tests. That was the only symptom that I really had, and I probably would not have linked it to iron at the time. He warned me that it could take 4-6 weeks or longer for that to pass after the infusion. I was skeptical, but he was right. It has been about 6 weeks and I am feeling more energetic finally! There seems to be a lot of confusion about whether oral iron can help enough. My hemotologist says that it is a waste of money to even bother with the supplements as they do not absorb enough to matter, and putting up with the side effects of the iron supplements is not worth it either. My surgeon's office thinks that we can absorb some, but they are not sure how much, so they are kind of experimenting with dosages for newer patients right now. As with all of this, it seems that each surgeon has a different opinion. I hope the oral works for you, but if not, know that the infusion is not a big deal and take the opportunity to catch up on your reading or watch a movie! Hope this helps! Dawn

Dear Felicia: I am SOOOOO happy for you! You have done so well and are TRULY an inspiration to me and many others. (I'm not just saying that, I REALLY mean it, even if it sounds cliche'.) I know that you will continue to be successful and never go back. Life IS grand, isn't it????? Dawn