WLS vs. NO Additional Vitamins

Hi Everyone

I am writing on behalf of my friend---Seriously!  She had WLS back in 2007 and since then takes no additional vitamins or calcium supplements.  I keep telling her she needs to take her supplements for the rest of her life.  Since my WLS in 2004 I can count on 10 fingers how many times I missed mine!  I take my supplements religiously! 

Can someone please list for me the reaction the body takes without taking any of our required supplements?  I am very concerned for her especially since she is my best friend!  I did notice that she has a big nasty bruise on her leg and she has no idea how she got it...I told her that it is due to a vitamin deficiency....I don't know if she believes me or not but she scheduled an appointment with the OBGYN to have a vein test,

I want to be able to print out on paper what the outcome could be for her down the road if she does not get back on the wagon where her vitamins are concerned!

Thanks

Marianne,

I don't have the list of complications that you requested.  The only person I can think of who might have them in one place is Vitalady.  You might want to email her, [email protected].

Please tell your friend that she must have her labs done!  If nothing else, a look at her numbers could frighten her into compliance.  PM me if you need the list of labs, that I do have.

We had WLS to be healthy there's no point in ruining our lives over a few supplements!

Michele

Anemia, osteoporosis, neuropathy, permanent brain damage, berri berri are just a few.  I do hope she gets her act together because she is definitely setting herself up for major deficiencies.  B vitamin deficiencies can be irreversable.....she can look at the Yahoo Grad board that Michelle owns to see what others are dealing with, it's not a pretty sight and scares the crap out of me.

well besides all the above, remember your muscles need cacium to work and your heart is a muscle. Also you will age at an accelerated rate without the proper vitamins. Your immune system will become weak and unable to fight off disease. There are wls patients that have gone blind. Your body can hold out for about 3-5 years before it starts to brealk down. Osterperosis is a silent disease. Your brain will also suffer, especially memory, The sad thing is that its all preventable with proper vitamins and labwork. Good Luck Vicki

Found this written by the Vitalady, what can happen when you don't take your vitamns. Post Date: 7/29/08 10:10 pm As noted in many WLS journals (finally): osteoporosis (calcium) crumbling or breaking teeth (calcium, D) osteomalacia--adult rickets (vit D) night blindness, skin disorders, lack of immune - vit A brain and nerve damage (B12 and other B vites) heart attack, death, or early on, such fatigue that a person cannot hold a job - iron lack of muscle, enough to affect gait, movement - protein loss of hair, red bruising, bleeding issues - vit E shall I go on? Michelle RNY, distal, 10/5/94

I hope your friend takes your advice seriously and starts taking vits right away. There are so many serious complications that can occur, but it seems like not taking vits is a semi-common thing~why I don't know? We go thru having wls to get healthy and then once we lose the weight and become "healthy" we risk our health by not taking vitamins?!?! It just doesn't make sense to me! My dr was up front with me from the start telling me that taking vitamins would be a lifelong thing after having wls and asking me if I was prepared mentally, financially, etc to do this. You're a good friend for trying to get this message thru to your friend, but remember that in the end its her decision and if she choses not to take the vits and to risk complications there's nothing more you could have done to help.

You all have to remember, every ones body is different. I had my open rny in 2001 and all i have ever had to take is One a day vitamin from Walmart. All My blood tests that i have done every 6 mths and all other tests have been almost perfect. I have had no complications at all. I maintain a weight around 185 and i am 5ft 6in and i have no problems. Bruce

I would be curious to know if you had a bone density test done?

Bruce, I'm not discounting what you take and thankfully you are doing well with a One A Day Vitamin.  You're right we are all different but I would almost bet those that don't supplement with B vits and calcium along with a multi-vitamin as a minimum will be facing some serious health issues down the road. 

I just don't understand how people can go through WLS to get healthy and not follow the vitamin regimine.

Edited to add:  My step-sister had RNY done in Sept. 2001 and she didn't supplement no matter how much I pushed her.  Needless to say here she sits today with very low B-12 and anemia.  Now she wishes she would of followed up with our surgeon and had labs done. 

It seems like men either adjust better or just have the ability to absorb much more...My best friend is 7 years out and he NEVER takes anything...maybe it's just coincidence...

I make sure he gets his yearly labs!  I nag him!  LOL (As if he needs two wives nagging at him)
Just get your labs!  LOL :::nag nag nag::::  Please make sure that you are doing well often and don't ignore symptoms of fatigue or dizziness or just not feeling well.  Any signs of distress like that and just make an appointment for labs...I did and wow!  Anemia!  Shocked me...at 4 years out and doing FINE all that time...