Self Injections B12, Abdominal or Elsewhere?

Question to those of you who have to self-administer B12 shots: Do you inject abdominally, or elsewhere?  I've been told two different things, and I want to make sure I'm getting maximum absorbtion.  My PCP told me to inject myself in the abdomen, but said it didn't make much of a difference; she said I could also do the fatty part of my hip.  The pharmacist told me my thigh (intramuscular) would be my best bet, but to switch sides each month to avoid tissue breakdown.  I'm not convinced that either know too much about WLS patients.  Can anyone here enlighten me??? Thank you!!
Karen

Ohhhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyy!!!  I would have to have my doc shoot me with the injection.  I just don't have it in me.  I hated it after the RNY, the nurses were coming into my room every so many hours and injecting me in my tummy with blood thinners!!!  HATED IT!!!!!!

Good luck figuring this one out and doing it!!

Thanks, Donna.  I had to do it the first time the other night.  I chose my outer left thigh, and jabbed the needle in so fast, that it came right back out.  I thought "crap, now I have to do it again!".  I seriously almost passed out.  I was in the hospital for 8 weeks after my RNY,  getting those shots of heparin in my tummy.  Hated it!!! 

I'm just wondering if there is any difference, and want to make sure I'm doing it right.  I want to get my low, low B12 levels up.

I usually inject it in the fat above my waistline.  The little chart I was given shows that you can use your stomach fat, the back of your upper arms, your thighs, or the fatty part of the hip.  I've only done the thigh once.  It hurt like the dickens.

Linda

Thanks, Linda!
Yes, the thigh...(read my post above to Donna), poked myself twice.  Ouchie!!
So, it really doesn't make a difference as to abdomen or arms, hips, etc.?
That's good to know.  Also, did your B12 come up?  How often were you injecting yourself?
I know, I have a lot of questions, I appreciate your help.
Karen

I've been doing a shot once a month since surgery.  1 ml once a month.  I've checked all my blood tests and my B12 level is higher now than it was before I had surgery, so I guess it's working just fine.  I find the shot in the stomach fat is not painful at all and it seems to work great.  The one time I did it in my thigh it hurt and it stayed sore for a couple of days.  I don't think I'll do it in my thigh again, anytime soon!

Linda

Once a month, I have done 2x a month and since being released from hospital per docs orders did once a wk for a month, now I'm back to once a month but will probably stick w/ twice a month, my energy levels are superior right now.......

Thanks,
I'm trying to play catch up now, as I'm 7 years post op, and who knows how many years I have been so deficient.  I've had symptoms of B12 deficiency for a long time, but it was always diagnosed as something else.  I was at 157 at my last set of labs in June, and hoping just a monthly injection will help bring my levels up.  I was one of those who were told the Flintstones vites and weekly sublingual B12 tablet would work just fine. 

Hi Karen,

I am 51/2 months post op. and have been having my Dr's MA due the injection once a month 1 ml. which is the maximum. (i think) 25K mcg.
Can you give me information on where to get the injection stuff. If it's cheaper than $30 a month I'd like to do it myself.

Thanks,
Sissy

Sissy -

I've been doing mine once a month since surgery.  It's a prescription and is definitely less than $30 a month.  It's definitely cheaper than paying for an office visit just to have someone else give you the injection!  Just take the prescription to your pharmacy (and make sure to get the syringes, too).  It's a common prescription, so they should have it.