wake up call....

I had my MGB surgery 8/18/05, at my lowest i weighed 147, I now weigh around 180... yet I never did follow up appointments b/c of lack of insurance, but regularly saw my primary care doctor for labs, only problem was that I had a problem with my B-12.  Yesterday I finally threw in the towel and went to my first follow up.  I didnt realize how much I devieated away from the 'ideal diet, exercise, and lifestyle change'  I feel like I got a new start, no more carbs and more protein, all my vitamins including biotin, zinc, D3, Tums, NO ALCOHOL, and excercise.  I have gotten mad at myself, the situation, cried, was frustrated, and over all just pissed off.  I feel like I was given an inch, and took 5 miles... but anyhoo back on the right track. 
Any comments, I would appreciate responses :)

Well... the only thing i can say to you is .... Welcome Home..... 

Hi BB,

I'm so glad that you are here. I'm glad for you and for us. I hope that we will help you get where you want to be. I know that as you make your own way, you will help those of us walking with you and those who follow. It's important to see what happens when we don't follow the 'program' and it's just as important to see that we can get 'back on track.' 

I don't know if you have found it yet, but there is actually a back on track forum here on OH. It might be helpful. 

I hope to get to know you better, learn from you and support you as you make your way back to where you want to be.

Wishing you all the best and welcoming you back,

Hi there - I think you'll find that there are lots of us getting refocused on our journeys regardless of how far out we are. Don't beat yourself up too badly - we all have a tendency to do that. Take a deep breath and know that you've done the right thing to make yourself a successful WLS patient. We're here for you.

- Iris

Yup, just pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start again. We all have to do this no matter. Good for you!

Now just a FYI,
what type of B-12 are you taking? We must take is sub-lingually (dissolve under the tongue), nasal, patch, or shots, NOT by swallowing a pill. If you are doing that ok, you may want to change the type of B-12 from cyanocobalamin (most commonly found form) to methylcobalamin. Some people have better results from that. 

D3 needs to be DRY D3. Not an oil based form. Prescription D2 is oil based, so even if the doc gives you one, get the Dry form.

If you had RNY (malabsorbative) surgery which is what I am guessing you had (GBS) then Tums are a no go. They are calcium carbonate. You will not absorb that because it requires an acidic environment and kidney stones. You will need to take Calcium Citrate, 1500-2000g a day, in no higher than 500g doses no closer than 2 hrs apart. This doesn't matter if you were a normie anyhow. Anything over that amount is just wasted. Please have your PTH drawn too. If that is rising (over 65 is big trouble) and your D levels drop, you are then leaching calcium from your bones and teeth. There is no way to get that back!! A Dexascan is the only other reliable test to monitor the loss of calcium. The Blood Calcium level that is done in all blood work is NOT an indicator of your status because the body will steal it to keep this level "normal".

Here is a link to the ASBMS  74.125.93.132/custom that states what minimums that are needed per surgery. You have to tweek what vitamins etc. that your labs.

Welcome back and I wish you well.