17 months out LABS?

I know this is going to sound strange, but I am 17 months out and I have NEVER had bloodwork tested.  I am 10 lbs from my goal weight.  My surgeon (and I specifically asked him) said I don't need to have any bloodwork done for the rest of my life!  YES he said that.  As long as I take Vit's I should be OK. I am feeling a bit rundown and tired lately....thought maybe I'd better have this checked. My diet is good, I take Vista vitamins twice a day faithfully, take sublingual B-12 when I think about it (2-3 times a week) and take extra iron during that time of the month. I KNOW I need to have this checked and wondered what tests I should have???  My PCP is great, knows little about WLS, but will do anything I ask. Thank-you! Cindy

  I am so appalled I can hardly speak.  As larger and larger segments of study are being done on the SURE THING nutritional issues we will have, this is horrifying! The Vista vites are ok for starters, but we need huge amounts of calcium, vit D, iron and B12.  So, if they're not covered......  some damage is not reversible! I can send you a list of labs you need if you email me privately to my regular email.  I'm not so good at working the one here.  LOL  [email protected]

I will do that, thank-you!

Hey Cindy! I am almost four years post op - my PCP does a regular chem panel and a CBC, watching specifically for decreases in potassium, Vitamin B and iron.   It sounds to me as if your labs should be pretty good if you are diligent with your vitamins as you say.   For peace of mind, have it checked anyway - WLS patient or not, we should ALL have our bloodwork checked every year (along with routine physical) to make sure that everything is running smoothly! Good luck! Kristi

I agree, I should have had this done sooner.   Thank-you! Cindy

Cindy; You and I had surgery within two weeks of each other and I have my blood work done every three months. I don't have a list of my labs with me, but I'll try to remember to pull them tonight when I'm home. (I'm getting ready to leave town again, so I may forget in the packing mayhem.)

Thank-you, I would very much appreciate that! Hope you have/had a great trip. Cindy

I take my vitamins faithfully everyday and never miss. my 18 month labs came back showing my Vit. D and Calcium is down.  so now I have to up them. So it is a good idea to have them done. Koukla 338/179

Hey thanks!  I guess I shouldn't assume all is well, so I will have it checked.

I have taken my vitamins had my labs done religiously since surgery 2.5 years ago.  However, in he last year I have developed pernicious anaemia (lack of intrinsic factor means I am UNABLE to absorb B12), and had an Hb of 6.5 at one point despite taking iron every day!!!! It is vital that you have your labs done so that if you develop any of these problems, you will be able to get them treated asap!  The consequences of vitamin deficiency (particularly B12 which can include permanent mental retardation ) are severe! Kim