4 yrs out, problems anyone ?

Hi all, its been a yr or so since ive come here and i'm interested in any medical, being hypogly , vitamins,etc.....in or around this time for them and even the longer out ones. I'm relating to some of the posts about hypoglcemic,(which i have now sometimes real often and even right after i eat.) I'm not good about the vitiamins, going for my b-12 shot, and calcium , i forget a lot. I not concern at all about not getting to the ideal goal weight because I feel so good and a little pounds up or down dont bother me. I'v went from 375 to 212 and couldnt care less if i get to the weight they say im suppose to be (175) for my height etc.... Im not anxious about food anymore, but can have a day that i do seem to graze through. What is the repercustion of negleting all the pill we have to take now? let me know how 3,4 and out doing or changes and any bowel problems etc............ phyllis

The repercussion of not taking your vitamins now is the same as earlier post-op. Since the part of the intestines that absorbs much of the vitamins is completely bypassed, we won't absorb them from food ever. Repercussions of not taking your calcium = osteopenia or osteoporosis Repercussions of not taking your B12 = permanent neurological damage including neuropathy in feet, hands, elsewhere and brain damage, also possible heart issues Repercussions of not taking your multi-vitamins = tons of things including beri beri which is a thiamine (b1) deficiency and that includes strokes, heart attacks and malnutrition (you'll stop absorbing the nutrients you ingest and your body will start fueling itself off your muscles including your heart) I'm think you get the idea. I hope you were told before surgery that vitamins were to be taken for life. But remember, not taking them can cost you your life. Also, please, please be sure that you are getting your labs done faithly twice a year too. Often the calcium, iron and other issues don't show up til further down the road. Be well. Be heatlhy. Kathy

Phyllis, I too am four years out. Even though I take my vitamins daily and even do the sublingual B12 daily, my B12 levels came back extremely low with this last blood work. My doc now has me on the B12 shots twice a month. The nurse said it could take 3 or 4 months before I start feeling a difference. I'm just praying I can get my B12 up. i am still doing the sublingual B12 even though it seems my body does not absorb them. You seriously need to be sure you are taking all of your vitamins or there will be problems from it. I'm sure someone else with more knowledge than me can tell you more (like Tooter). Oh, and I have not had any bowel problems. Other than the B12 my blood work was fine. Shel

hey Phyllis ... if you'll read back a little on this Grad forum, you'll see MANY posts on regains, hypoglycemia (big topic amongst us lately), and other issues that have been popping up ... there are too many to provide links to, but they should be pretty easy to find. I hope you'll post about your particulars, because its good to know what other people experience as well, it might put things into context, or if someone DOES get any answers, perhaps the rest of us can have something to go on as well. congrats on the 163 # loss ... that is awesome! Karyn

Hi Phyllis (and the rest of you great people) It's been a long time since I've stopped in here......shame on me. My best friend, who is a recovering alcoholic, has slipped.......first time in about 17 years. I can relate to almost everything she talks about.......it's not quite the same but enough to make me say PROBABLY to borrowing her 12-step book. I need help. It will be three years this December and found my weight gain starting at the beginning of 2006. I've put back on about 12 to 15 pounds. That amount used to make me laugh (so little) but not now. I have lots of plans on how to correct this, but the first step is Obesityhelp.com. My wonderful doctor is an hour away and I just can't drive that far for my monthly support meetings. There isn't anything in my area that I want to be part of.......so I'm really not sure what I can do. Maybe by reading the message board, and a possible "chat" with someone, I might get back on the right path. Very difficult....... especially when I think of how easy it was for the first two years Anyhow, a little input from me....... My doctor has me take a B12 pill every other day and my blood tests have always shown that I'm right on target. How can that be, when others need a shot? My hypoglycemia is a real pain in the neck but if I can get back into the swing of things, I'll be better. It's when I binge........or sometimes when I forget to eat the right foods. I know better but I started Sunday morning with coffee and two slices of my homemade zucchini bread. I CAN'T EAT THAT FOR BREAKFAST and I KNOW it. Jeeez Debbie. About an hour or so later, I was swigging the OJ from the container and slapping peanut butter on the Saltines as fast as I could. MY reaction is severe!! I get dizzy, sweaty, sick to my stomach, wicked shaky, lose concentration......and I have to pee......like IMMEDIATELY!!! There have been times I haven't made it to the toilet. {{so glad, hopefully, none of you know me!}} OK, that's it. But if anyone feels like writing back, any kind of "connection" between me and other GB patients helps. Thanks!! Debbie p.s. my friend is back.......five days sober