I know this is an individual walk but...

I am wondering if anyone else is having problems with their labs and feeling good. It has been just over 5 months now.... I have lost about 80 lbs which I am very thankful and overjoyed about - I don't even care about the loose skin or any of those issues.... I am thankful that I don't carry that weight around all day, every day.... and am somewhat amazed that I did. I am now down to where many of you started your journey and things are getting a little scary. 1. I expected to feel better by now.... I can barely drag myself out of bed.... didn't send my son to school today simply because I couldn't get out of bed to get him up 2. My labs are up and down.... mostly down... I know this should be temporary but my potassium gets so low its scary.... and my iron is practically non-existent.. i have just had my first IV infusion of iron and it seems that may not be the last. 3. I am gettting down into scary territory now as far as weight loss - haven't been here since college years --- over 25 yrs ago....so a nagging fear is creeping up all the time 4. It seems to me that when I lose the most.... the worse I feel?... a bittersweet victory... when I stable for a few days or weeks I start to feel better and then a bad day of hangin in the bathroom and drop about 5 lbs and then feel like crud. Is anyone else having difficulty recovering? (I'm doing the protein and the vitamins and eating all the time it seems.... my one vice is iced tea.... can't get enough of that stuff!!! Excercise is out right now due to low levels on labs - makes me very short of breath) I'll probably post this on other boards hoping to find someone with a similar experience --- just feeling a little down out of work, out of steam, out of red blood cells B

I feel that way too. I'm so tired and I've been regretting (yes I said it!) the surgery. Yes I have lost weight and yes I have nixed some health conditions so I am happy for that since that's why I did this surgery.. I'm just getting frustrated that I'm not getting better health-wise and I'm getting 'new' issues, so yeah it does seem bitter-sweet. (Was Diabetic- now replaced with hyperglycimic.. cholesterol has decreased- yeah!. Have worse back pain than pre-op and I am low on iron, and vitamins A, D, E and K-- bruising a lot and my hair is falling out is clumps). And yes, I've been following doctors guidelines and taking all my meds/supplements. I can only hope that once I get my levels back up and I start feeling some health improvements, I will stop feeling so low about the surgery and myself. I didn't have the 'depressed about surgery' right afterwards.. but now I am. So maybe I'm a bit slow?? Hang in there and try to find something positive to think about each day! That's what I try to do anyway Jennifer

Jennifer, thanks for posting this... it helps to know that I am not alone... and possibly there are others out there strugggling in the same way. I understand your buyers remorse. I, like you, have also ditched most of my comorbidities, but still wonder if I'll ever be able to get on my feet -- even worse it seems like my thinking is warped.... but already the iron is kicking in and I am getting so much better. Please don't flame me for this, but my doc recommeds Viactiv for us for calcium supplement ( I know this is carbonate and not citrate) but the upside is that it also contains Vitamin D and Vitamin K which I notice you are also low on -- and because it tastes like a caramel it get rid of my "gotta have a candy" blues. Just a suggestion. I guess everyone moves at their own rate --- my surgeons nurse also suggested that I may be one of those people that the doc has to watch to make sure I don't lose too much.... can't even wrap my mind around that one.... but maybe that's the silver lining in this cloud.... that I will eventually reach goal?! B

Hi B, Thanks for your response! I'm so glad your feeling better with the iron! Wow, wouldn't that be something if the labs are due to loosing TOO much weight! I just added the OTC iron pills (Feosol- sp?). I am slowly getting energy again.. at least I'm not having to take naps (uncontrollably!) any more! Thanks for the suggestions! I just started the liquid calcium from bariatriceating.com. Boy let me tell you that it is SO good! Yum! Expensive though, but hey at least its liquid and tastes good! I still have a hard time with the big pills. My nutitionist/doctor wanted me to get off of the cal. carbonate (due to the hair/weak nail/etc) so I am going to try the liquid calc. citrate. I just got it so I don't have any feedback except that I look forward to taking it daily! Take care and hang in there! I'm sure you will be stronger soon! Jennifer

Thanks for your post. I haven't been having an easy time of it lately. I don't think that I have the engery that others seem to have. My labs at 3 months were fine, I'll have them done again next month. My body has the energy, but "I" don't have it. I see the changes that are happening, I went to the theater last weekend and my butt fit in the seat. I was there a couple weeks before surgery and I needed to wedge myself in. So, I see these things and they're great, but I'm not feeling it. I've suffered from depression before so think that maybe once again it's rearing it's ugly head. I have an appointment for a psych/med eval. at the end of the week. It's been wonderful not taking any medications but maybe the anti-depressant needs to find it's way back in. best of luck on your travels. diane

Diane, Thank you too for responding. Boy, it can feel so absolutely lonely and depressing when all I read is that everyone is doing and feeling so wonderful and I can't seem to get there. I have made an appointment with the pysch doc as well - I know there are issues there - and hoping this will help. Best of luck to you as well B

I'm really sorry your not feeling well. I've had my 3 month labs drawn but Due to the illness of my mother I haven't got to return to my Dr. for the results. But I feel good except when my husband and I make love the pressure of his body on my left side where my stomach is kills. But energy level is high and I feel great. Hope you start feeling better. Kay

Kay, Thanks for your good wishes..... wishing you all the best as well. Great that your labs are great and you are doing great! B