TEENS READ UP

My name is Laura. I had RNY on 6/23/04, when I was 19. I bounced back wonderfully and so did my skin, since I was so young, and I followed all the rules. However, one year later I began experiencing strange symptoms: myoclonus (jumping muscles), spasticity (involutarily flexing), hyperhidrosis (sweating ALOT), craving foods I should not and could not eat full of sugar and carbs, and a renewed weight loss. I also began having horrific pain in the long bones of my legs - like growing pains, but ten times as intense. For a year and a half this has gone undiagnosed and I've made it all the way up to the top neurologists in the country. I now know things I did not know two and a half years ago and that you should know when having or preparing for this surgery. These are things that - even though you are young...ESPECIALLY because you are young and still growing - you need to pay special attention to. 1. WLS can lead to vitamin dificiences, which can do crazy things to you depending on what vitamin you're lacking. NEVER MISS TAKING YOUR VITAMINS!! I reccommend biting the bullet and getting B12 shots, too, for those of you still growing. 2. Excessive vomiting is what causes most post-WLS vitamin deficiency - not blowing off taking your pills. If you throw up, even once, tell your doctor and ask about taking extra vitamins. If you throw up alot - have your doctor and a nutritionist put you on a specialized plan so you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need. 3. If you develop ANY numbness, tingling, twinkling, or anything else in your extremeties at any time post-op, TELL THE DOCTOR. It is well-documented that WLS can lead to life-long nondiabetic neuropathy, which is very painful for some people. 4. TAKE CALCIUM. Male or female, even though you are young, the calcium missed post-WLS, if not made up for, causes early-onset osteoporosis or, as in my case, metabolic bone disease (those growing pains) which can be painful and have no real "cure". Now, if given a choice, I would still have the surgery again a million times! My life is so much improved not carrying around those 155 pounds! What I want everyone to realize is when you're going in and everyone is saying how being young gives you an advantage in recovery, remember it also leaves you in the unique position of finishing your growth with a possibly-compromised supply of vitamins and nutrients, which can lead to lifelong problems. Good luck in your WLS journey, everyone of you, and take that extra step of keeping an eye on yourself and taking your vitamins seriously so that the only results this surgery gets you are GOOD ones! Laura P -155 6/23/04

Laura, Thank you so much for posting this!! I needed a major kick in the ass to remember to take my meds!!!

Agreed - I, too, need a swift kick to remember to take my vitamins.. Ugh.