PLEASE HELP! 1 year out

I had the gastric sleeve a year ago December 1st. Unfortunately, I have not followed the diet the last 6 months like I should, I've incorporated sweets and carbs. GRRR!! I don't eat small bites, and I also eat about 6 times a day. And I have only excerised 2 months out of the 12 months.  I've lost all of my weight for the most part, I'm lacking about 5 pounds, and I've kept it off.

I haven't been taking my vitamins like I'm suppose to, either. I only take my iron. Can you please remind me about how I'm suppose to take them, and the time period between my iron and multi.
The last year of my life, has been one of the worst years. Has anyone felt like this since having surgery? I never have energy, NEVER! I'm super depressed, and have had several health problems from starting this. I have to go into the hospital every other month to get IV fluids, and I have all kinds of female problems.

Well, I'm sure believing that if I start back eating right and exercising and taking my vitamins like I should I will succeed at feeling good.

Thanks for listening, please let me know about my vitamins.

I am not sure as I know the requirements for your surgery is different from mine but i am sure one of the ladies familar with it will be along to help you soon. I am sorry that this past year has been rough on you. I am not sure why you keep having to get iv fluids unless you are not drinking enough water. I have upped mine again as I realized I was drinking way too much tea and sugarfree energy drinks. (yeah I know they are not good for you but I an addicted). I know I am not much help but i wanted to try and help. HUGS

 I'm sorry the last year has been so hard for you. As for the vitamins, here's how I try to take mine, although admittedly its hard to get them all in everyday. I take a multivitamin right when I wake up, I take a Calcium chew between breakfast and lunch, my chewable iron with lunch, 2 calcium chews at different times between lunch and dinner, and then another calcium after dinner and my multivitamin right before I go to bed. As for going into the hospital to get IV fluids, my best suggestion would be to try drinking different liquids until you find something you like enough that you can get at least 64oz in per day. Oh and I forgot, if you have no energy at all... have you been taking your B12? I was feeling horrible for like 2 weeks and I realized I'd forgotten to take my B12 shot and was like 2 weeks late on that and I felt better within hours of taking the B12. So I would definitely make sure you're either getting that shot once a month or taking a chewable once a week. As for the female problems, my body's been acting crazy too... it just has to do with our changing hormone levels. I would say just try to stay motivated and if you need help boosting your exercise program come in and see exercise. Also, sometimes it can really help to talk to Dr. Keller. I hope things get better soon!

I'm so sorry to hear how you are struggling.  I take a multi vitamin when I wake up and that's pretty much it.  I should be taking Vit D but I haven't been.  It sounds like you could really benefit from some B-12 because that helps energy.

As much as you hate to hear this, I would really get into see Dr. B and talk to him and Chris or Jess about whats going on.  Your weight loss is great and you should be proud of that and at least you are trying to correct some things before you gain weight or something.  Get in this week!!!! 

I, too, am not sure of the requirements for your particular surgery and for your surgeon/nutritionist.  I don't want to offer you bad advice in that area as I had a RNY and with a different doctor. 

As for vitamins, I take a Multi (for RNY patients), calcium, and Iron.  I get B12 shots, if my levels get low.  I can tell when my energy drops a whole lot.  It sounds like that with you and you might want to look into increasing your B12.  Maybe make an appt with your surgeon, also.  IV fluids, I had to have those once, and after that, I increased my water intake a lot.  Are you getting enough fluids? 

In the weight thing, you've done great.  5 lbs from goal is amazing!  Keep us posted on how you're doing and keep your head up.  You can get back on track!

~ Renae

Hi, Amber.
I'm sure sorry to hear about how you are feeling. Not getting in enough fluid and not taking vitamins can get us in trouble...fast. Have 2 hours between whatever you take, and you'll be fine. Really, the only thing to remember is not to have anything with Calcium (food, liquid, or vitamin) closer than 2 hours (on either side) of your Iron. Iron taken with C helps with absorption. I take the grape Iron+C chewables from www.CelebrateVitamins.com.
This is what I take daily:
3 Calcium Citrate
3 Multivitamins
1 Iron + C
1 B12 sublingual (under the tongue)
1 Vit. D per week
1 Omega-3 (that's my choice)
If you don't already have one, you might get a pill keeper, fill it for the week, and then have it out where you can see it. Journal everything, also, as a reminder. You're doing great on your weight, but are you getting in enough protein (60+ grams)? If not, that will add to your feeling tired.
I would STRONGLY urge you to get your bloodwork done, if you haven't (since you're a year out), to see what your levels are. There are areas (like Vit. D and iron), that if you are deficient, can cause drastic, and sometimes permanent, health issues.
Take care of yourself, Amber, and I applaud you for reaching out for help.
Blessings,
Mary

Amber it is so good to hear from you.  PLEASE, PLEASE follow up with your doctor.  I am sure you need your lab work done as well.  You should be feeling good and have energy so there might be something else going on.  Please start back with your vitamins at the very least and especially your B-12.  Depression can be caused by a lot of things.  There are a lot of folks - me included - who take anti-depressants.  That is no different than a diabetic taking insulin.  Please see your doctor and get checked out.  You are much to young and beautiful and your family deserves a healthy you.  You are not the only one who has not exercised.  There are a lot who don't. 

Please keep us posted.  we are hear for you!

I am sorry you are struggling.  I think you need to see your surgeon and maybe Dr. Keller as well.  If you haven't been taking your multis and B-12 I am sure you are deficient.  Get back into the routine.

As for the emotional side of things, I will tell you that is the area that I was least prepared to deal with post-op.  I have gone in to see Dr. Keller a couple of times to just talk.  It is hard to define who I am and what my life is supposed to look like since I am no longer defined as the fat woman.  I will be happy to talk to you through PM if you would like.

Hang in there and get back on your vitamins.

Hey Amber....long time no hear from you. I hate to hear that you have been not feeling well this past year girl. I will have to agree with the others who said to definately start back on the vitamins again. I take my multi vitamin in the morning,  2hours later take calcium, calcium at lunch, and at dinner. Since I had the RNY, I take another multi at bedtime with an iron pill...only because the multi vitamins that I take do not have the calcium in them and are specifically for bariatric patients. I have a bit of an understanding on the emotional thing because I have been going thru a few changes in that dept. If you ever need to talk, IM and I will give u my number. I am glad to hear from you and congrats on almost reaching goal..girl that is great.

LaDetra  

I got lax with my vitamins over the summer and having just started back, I can already tell a difference.

Losing a lot of weight is a big strain on the mind and the body-even though it's a positive thing, it's still a big stressor.  Hang in there, get into a healthy routine, and visit with your doctor and this board about any concerns you have.  You are not alone.