NOT WHINING BUTTTTTTTTT....

Not whining honestly but I sure wish I had known alot more that I did going into Gastric Surgery. I never knew that I had to eat mosty proteins the rest of my life as in meat mostly or proteins based foods ... The town I am from is a small town and the surgeons arent really well informed. I have since learned on the AFTER CARE of RNY patient. I am not sorry that I had the surgery, would do it again but there seems to be so so many things that the Dr's dont know about the aftercare or mine anyway.. I have these things I call sinking spells that almost put me out of commision for awhile if I eat carbs or something sweet EVEN if it is only a very small amount . I am 3 1/2 years out and this has just started happening . I FREEZE even in winter and my docs say ....ahhh you just lost your cushion so it is normal to be very cold. I know skinny women who have less fat than I and they arent cold and I am slowly getting colder in place of remaining the same or getting any better. I get the shakes really bad , am so tired I cant keep my eyes open etc but yet my iron is fine and all levels look good so I guess I am asking if any of you at this far out are starting to experience any of these problems.. I am not sure if we are supposed to feel this way or have these problems that are starting to develop , I had 0 problems the first 2 1/2 years so wondering if something is starting to go wrong . My surgeon says it is all normal and tries to imply that I must be eating wrong .. I eat better now than I have since I started this journey .. I am totally frustrated with him at this point . Shirl

"I have these things I call sinking spells that almost put me out of commision for awhile if I eat carbs or something sweet EVEN if it is only a very small amount" Shir, this is dumping perhaps? Or, is it possibly reactive hypoglycemia? How soon after eating carbs and sugar are you experiencing this? There is more research being done right now as it is becoming a common occurance for many post-ops over 2 years old to experience hypoglycemia. I can sympathize with you on being cold. I live in Texas and freeze all the time, I can't imagine living where you experience real winter. I can't really share insight here but I do relate. As for exhaustion, etc. you said your iron is fine. What iron test have you had done, unfortunately many surgeons and PCPs will only run a CBC and don't run a TBIC which gives you the iron saturation, etc. and a Ferritin level (which is your iron store). The iron level in your CBC can be fine, and is usually the last numbers you'll see tank. The iron saturation and ferritin reads will tell you the true answer (not that I'm saying your anemic but you might truly be, the detailed test need to be run to determine for sure). Are you or have you ever supplemented with iron? In another online group of grad post-ops, it's been said that the majority of post-ops will become anemic at some point, especially if they haven't had the proper labs drawn and haven't supplemented with iron. I hope you feel better soon. Dana

HI Dana. I'm interested in what you said about iron. I just had my labs done for my 2yr checkup and all looked fine, but I have been experiencing these bouts of being so tired in the afternoon that I can't keep my eyes open, literally! I thought maybe it was this crazy weather here in NW PA~cold and snow day after day~but now I'm wondering if its something more????? Tracy

Tracy, my suggestion is get a copy of all your labs, starting with your pre-op labs and each set you've had done so far. Put them in a spreadsheet and see how your levels are trending. This will be eye opening for you I believe. It sure gave me some insight on what is happening and how to change my vitamin regimine to stay on top of any drops. Then see if the TIBC and Ferritin are being run, if not get them done. You may face some resistance from your surgeon or PCP (whomever orders your labs for you) but don't give up, demand these be run, they tell a totally different story. Your ferritin (iron stores) and your TIBC will drop before the Hemoglobin and Hematocrit does. By the time the H & H are tanked, you'll be in desperate need of iron infusions usually. Best wishes, Dana

Dana thanks as he only runs a CBC for iron and if I suggest the TBIC he will get defensive and tell me he only runs the ones I need , THUS I need a different doc to do the test. I tried telling him at my last visit something wasnt right and he hinted I wasnt taking my vitamins BUT HE HAD just ran HIS TESTS , the one fits all for all his patients so anyway,,,, I guess I need to try to find an internists maybe to run some different tests as I know something isnt right... I have had the thyroid checked also basic test and he says it was fine. My question is , WHY DONT they run the TBIC you mentioned in place of the CBC? Do you know? Thanks for all your help and all that answered or replied. ALL of you are the wonderful and so kind. Shirl

*sigh* Shirl, I don't know why they don't they just don't. Remember our surgeons know how to cut and paste, lol, they aren't experts in the post-op life or nutrition (most aren't anyway). My surgeon doesn't require all of the detail I want/need but I have an awesome PCP (who is an internist) that will run just about everything I ask for.....he is so willing to learn about WLS patients, I'm always giving him more info and he is pretty well versed now on WLS. I have a very extensive list of labs that will tell the true story of how healthy you are, if you want the list PM me your email address and I'll forward it to you. In the mean time, find a PCP/Internist that is versed in WLS or who is willing to learn and provide you with with you NEED. BE PROACTIVE girl, it's your life. Hugs, Dana

Hey Dana, Yes ,please send me the list to [email protected] as I dont have a clue as to what labs I even need ran . Your correct, my surgeon is an excellent surgeon but followup sucks as to what needs doing I am learning . Thanks so much for your help by the way .. Hugs Shirl

Shirl, I know you will get some good answers here on this board but you may also want to go to [email protected] and look on the left side for the files , there is a LONG list of what bloodwork and supliments are essential for you.Also you may want to post after you join. PLEASE do not tolerate substandard care from your doc.......you need to be very informed!!! Best wishes!!! I will be praying for you!!

getting cold and being very tired are both warning symptoms that your iron levels are too low. One symptom might indicate something else, but two? I think the person above is absolutely right - you need to get your iron levels tested using those different tests. You may want to research and find another doctor nearby (maybe in a city nearby?) who has more experience and can help. Don't feel shy about using another doctor. This is YOUR life we are talking about, and you are the one who determines what you need. Also, look into getting more nutrients into your body. You may have a nutrient difficiency which is preventing the iron from being absorbed. All the things like zinc and copper affect the body's ability to utilize things like protein and calcium, and they also affect each other. You need to get nutrients from real food, too, not just vitamin tablets. They don't contain all the micronutrients you need. Try to get things with color (blueberries, grapes, beets, carrots) into your diet. Even just the juices are better than nothing. I don't think what you are experiencing is normal. You definitely should keep pushing until someone gives you an answer. You are not crazy! And use this site to research stuff so you can push for the right answers. I would never have known about the different iron tests if it wasn't for people here.

Being cold and being tired can also be symptoms of low thyroid. Have you had that checked? Lori