HELP!!!Low Red Blood Count for Surgery

Help!  I am so upset.  I cannot remember what the test was but I have a low red blood cell count I think.  It is supposed to be 12.5 and mine is 10.5.  I was advised to take iron....so I am taking iron now.  I have a ftt and bl/ba on dec 29th.  They said they may not be able to do both at the same time.  it will depend on how much blood I lose.  I am sooo upset.  This needs to be done now.  I dont have the time to take off again.  What can I do and has this happened to anyone else???

I am right there with you.  I have tt and brachioplasty schedulrd for 1/6 and I am at 10.0.  I have been taking iron for 5 weeks with no improvement.  I did a little research and found that you should stop drinking tea because the tannins block iron absorption.  I am a heavy tea drinker. :(  Also my favorite treat, Craisins, is now off limits because something in cranberries interferes with iron absorption.  Increase your vitamin C while taking iron.  I hope you get your numbers up quickly.  I am going to retest soon.  I hope giving up the tea helps.

Thanks!  Right now extra vit. C is off limits from my ps.  So....I am taking iron and now can't go to the bathroom.  great!  I am thinking about asking to get iron infusions.  Have you asked about that??  I hope yours comes up soon.  Let me know if you find out anything else that helps.

Miralax helps tremendously while taking iron.

Sorry to hear about your low blood count.. I have been challenged with low ferritin for at least 6 mos.. I took my iron 2xs a day.. 180 Mg Carbonyl Iron with Vit C in the morning then again at night.. I also took magnesium and stool softeners to combat the constipation.
Iron is I believe one of the hardest thing to absorb for RNY'ers.. cause tannins, Copper, Calcium, Fiber all compete with Iron absorption. I get my Iron from Vitalady, Inc. The bariatic iron study says 200 mg per day.. my Ferritin increase2-3 points per month.

I've ordered a lot from that site.  I'll see what she has.  I lost a lot of hair when I had surgery.  I am just now being able to where it down again.  It finally looks ok.  Now, I am afriad I will lose my hair again with the low iron.  I wonder if I could have iron infusions??

My doctor wouldn't do the infusions.. (made me mad).. cause infusions are not a good long term solution.. low iron means you/us./we have to be hard core on the iron intake.. He wanted to make sure I made Iron a habit..

Thanks,
Michelle

 same thing happened.  I was at 8 so they did iron injections and after several of those I was up where I needed to be.  Had to delay surgery a month.