anemia/B12 issues

I was told by my doctor that I am anemic and also have a B12 deficiency.  They want me to see a hematologist, I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect?  I also was told that I may have neuropathy in my legs and I have to see a neurologist.  I am overwhelmed with this news right now and it does not help that finals are coming up.  Silly me, I thought losing 125 pounds would save me from suffering medical issues.  I am nervous about all of this.  Thanks for reading this.

Hi Loree,
There are a few of us that have anemia as either having given birth or just developing anemia after WLS. I have always been a little anemic since WLS but recently was hospitalized for UTI that went into my kidneys and as a result all my blood work was affected from it. I see a hematologist every 2 weeks to get an injection called Arnesp before that when I was in the hospital I was being injected with Procrit every other day. Arnesp is better because I only need to be injected every 2 weeks. Being nervous is understandable but I think you need to listen to your doctor and get the B12 injections and iron infusions. My hematologist told me I will be seeing him until my hemoglobin is over 12 and then they will decrease the time I would need to come back to them. Good Luck with everything you will be fine.

Definitely consult w/your PCP about the needed amounts.  It is not uncommon for WLS patients to require supplementation for iron and B12 post-op.  I use the Trader Joe's sublingual tabs for B12, 2X weekly, which keeps my B12 at 900+.  I don't use iron as I'm post-menopausal. 

It's not a good thing to let your blood levels get low, so I'm glad you're taking care of it.  These are problems that can be handled!

Good luck!

I did the b12 shots but it never really raised my levels... now I am taking twice a day b12 sublinguals... I can really feel a difference...

Hang in there... the b12 thing isn't a huge deal... just do what the doc tells ya!

I get the B12 shots AND take the sublingual B12.  I also had to get iron infusions at the hematologist's office.  It is a series of IV infustions that last about 30 minutes and one a week for five weeks.  It's really not a big deal. 

My surgeon told me the first day I met him that there is sometimes a malabsorption issue with gastric bypass surgery.  Both the iron deficiency and the B12 deficiency are easily corrected and are really minor inconveniences to me.

I have bad circulation in my legs, which existed long before my surgery.  I had to see a vein specialist for a study.  I also have a clotting disorder, which sucks because the bad circulation in my legs creates a breeding ground for clots, which I did get a month ago.

The surgery is a path to a healthier life than before the surgery.  It did not get rid of all my health issues, just made me healthier than before.  I am no longer prediabetic, nor do I have bad cholesterol anymore.  I still have a bad back, fibromyalgia, and now the clot issue.  I would still have those things with the surgery.