Having issues 5 years later

XandM213
on 7/21/16 11:53 am

Hello ladies...It's been quite a while since I've been on this site. I had VSG on March 31, 2011 and lost 153 pounds. I have never had any issues and think I've done quite well for myself. But about a year ago I started to have what I thought were seizers, but my doctor now believes I'm just passing out. The "passing out" would happen a few days after I'd have a "wild" night, lol meaning a night I drink a lot and then I don't re hydrate myself after. So my doctor said I'm passing out due to being dehydrated.
In April of this year I went in for blood work and the only deficiencies I had were Iron and Vitamin D3. So I've now been taking those supplements along with Biotin and Nexium.
4 weeks ago I noticed my hair falling out A LOT...about 50-75 strands of hair every time I comb it. My nails are now splitting...all of them. And I have diarrhea at least 3 to 4 times a week. *Update* I'm no longer taking the Nexium and I'm not drinking.
I'm going in on Monday for some more blood work, but wanted to know from any veterans if they too have had any of these same issues? Just worried it has something to do with the surgery. Any info is great! Thank you, and I'm so blessed to know you guys are always here!

Kathy S.
on 7/21/16 1:22 pm - InTheBurbs, XX
RNY on 08/29/04 with

Makes sure when they do blood work they are doing so with the knowledge you had WLS.  Sounds like you may have low iron as well.  We don't tolerant alcohol very well.  Check out this article that just appeared on OH's home page.

Should WLS Post-Ops Drink Alcohol After Surgery?

When you review your blood work, look for drops in levels.  We can have our blood work still in "normal" zones but if you see a difference in the blood work that is a warning sign for us to start upping the supplements.

Here are a couple of suggestions for a list of labs to be done.

This is Vitalady's list. http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandT argets_11-2009.doc

Here is another source, PacLap.com and go to forms. It is the website for Dr. Rabkin.

http://www.paclap.com/downloads/annualvglaborders.pdf

 

 

HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125

RW:190 - CW:130

Laura in Texas
on 7/21/16 1:40 pm

Make sure they are testing for everything. When I get a full workup done it is 20-30 vials. If they are only taking 5-10, they are not testing for much.

How low were your iron levels? Maybe you need an infusion.

Laura in Texas

53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)

RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis

brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco

"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."

sheriberi29
on 7/22/16 3:59 am - Cleveland, TN

I was wondering if there is a list somewhere of things we need to have checked, when I went to my 3 month check they told me they do only a few vials to check b 12, cbc, iron, and something else she mentioned , but they don't do this until 1 year out. She told me I was of course free to ask my pcp to do more or to do it sooner . Any recommendations on this so I don't wait to late or get Insufficient testing ? Thanks Laura 

Banded 6/9/09 HW 242 LW 142 Revision 198 m 1 loss 16 lbs 182. M 2 loss 4 lbs 178. M3 loss 6 lbs 174.m4 loss 4 lbs 168. M5 gain 2 lbs 170. M6 loss 7 lbs 163 M7 loss 5 lbs 159 M8 loss 1 lb 158 M9 loss 0 M10 155 loss 3 M11 154 loss 1 M12 loss 2 152 M13 loss 3 149 M16, 17 0 loss M 18 loss 4 lbs 145 (18 months 53 lbs)

Grim_Traveller
on 7/21/16 2:03 pm
RNY on 08/21/12

First, for god's sake, stop drinking. Then, get your vitamin levels, in writing, and track them over time. What they say is "fine" might not be. You are pretty clearly deficient in something.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

Steph Meat Hag
on 7/21/16 2:20 pm - Dallas , TX
VSG on 03/14/16 with

Something for sure is messed up. Your party days need to be over right away.  Get on your vitamins and educate yourself about what your deficiencies will do to you.  Monitor the results and keep track yourself about where the levels should be.  Go to a new doc for a second opinion if your health continues like this.

Age:40|Height: 5'9"|Lap Band 2/11/08 |Revision VSG 3/14/16

The cake is a lie, but Starbucks is not.

https://fivedaymeattest.com

crystal M.
on 7/22/16 1:00 pm - Joliet, IL

I once had someone tell me that what level is good for you might not be good for someone else.  So because a certain number is considered normal doesn't mean that it is normal for you.  That normal might be low or high for you (if that makes sense).  The medical industry goes by these arbitrary numbers and expects everyone to fit within those guidelines.  But maybe your levels are coming in normal but you still bad because those numbers are low for you.  I would say no matter what your labs say start taking iron supplements...if you are taking them, increase them. 

Listen to your body.  There is a reason you are losing hair and your nails are splitting.   

TanyaRN
on 7/24/16 6:51 am - Palm Bay, FL

If all these episodes were associated with your "partying", could also be due to severe hypoglycemia from the alcohol

Beam me up Scottie
on 7/25/16 7:04 pm
I've seen some of the issues you mentioned related to B deficiencies and/or protein deficiencies and/or an iron deficiency.

Are you on a good vitamin regime? Do you drink protein shakes everyday?

A full set of labs should help you narrow down the issue.

Scott
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