Important you have to read this!!!!!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=751&e=2&u=/nm/20041014/hl_nm/nervedamage_obesity_dc I don't want to sound paranoid, however I believe I am showing symptoms of this. I am experiencing weakness and I have been nauseated not to mention bouts of diarrhea. I was told that malnutrition was possible especially if I did not take my vitamins but I was never told anything about nerve damage. Could this lead to other things as well. Will we wake up 20 years from now and find out that by-pass surgery is causing premature deaths in our community. Jenny

Jenny, I hope your surgeon stressed the importance of not only taking vitamins, but to get your protein in each day! Yes, nerve damage has happened to some of the patients because they didn't get the proper nutrition. This surgery is a BIG change in many ways. Jan

hi jenny - my doctor has a dietician that has drilled the importance of nutrition, e.g. taking my vitmans, what i should and should not eat into my brain. and I have been told repeatedly not following this can create complications and/or death. and I guess because I work in the insurance community, I know the dangers of malnutrition, not necessarily due to wls, but in general what malnutrition can cause. -- *maybe this is something the doctors and nurses need to drill in a little more* research research research is the only way a life changing decision like wls should be made. Most of the people I have talked to have just gone over and beyond trying to absorbs any tid bit of info they can get. and if they are having problems with the diet or keeping up with there vitamins they are talking to their support group and trying to find a way to stay on top. I know for myself, my surgery date is monday and there is a highly good chance I will be one of the ones at the meeting saying "help me" I am an emotional eater and I know that my eating pattern will be life threatening if I dont change it. .. it's late got to log off, but will add more later , this has sparked an interest cause i wonder when the people in the survey had there surgery - how much was "education" stressed to patients 5-10 years ago vs today. -- take care and try not to stress -- research research and make sure you are not one of the statistics.

Jenny, that is why it is so VERY IMPORTANT to take all the vitamins and make sure you are taking enough of what the doctor tells you to do. Do you take chewablevitamins or liquid vitamins? In getting ready for mine , I went to the health food store and bought some liquid ones that are loaded with all that we need so check with a dietition or you surgen and ask them. Karen