Longterm Complications??

 My ferritin was a 3 and I had many symptoms, including exhaustion and feeling cold (irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, memory lapses). Many of us (I have an rny) do not absorb enough iron, no matter how much or which kind we take. That being said, heme iron (like proferrin or Bifera) are best absorbed and do not interfere with calcium and don't seem to cause constipation...other irons commonly used are carbonyl and ferrous fumerate. The proferrin and bifera are expensive.  My dr recommended me for a series of 8 infusions, given weekly, which I just finished. I have to say that, by #5, I was feeling 100% better!  I just had my levels checked and will see the dr in 2 wks to make sure all is ok. the plan for me (agreed upon with my dr) is that I will be blood tested every 6 mos and, if my levels start to drop, I will have 1 infusion to "top things off".  I do not want to waste my time or money on a product that is not being utilized by my body.  My insurance covered most of the cost, which would be a huge consideration for anyone. My cost (after insurance) for each weekly infusion was around $35.     Personally, knowing what I know now and feeling how I do now vs how I did feel when I was iron deficient, I would talk to the dr about infusions until you have reached an acceptable level and then, if he insists, discuss oral supplementation.  With iron stores so low, it will be a struggle for your body to replenish with just oral supplements right now and you will get constipation, believe me!    Best of luck to you, and hope you will feel better soon.

Thank you for your reply.

I went to the hemotologist and he is recommending 2 rounds. 
I wanted to get your opinion on the following:

They are recommending a driving from the first visit.  Were you unable to drive home after your first round?   The doctor's ofc has explained will take up to 6 hours.

Thank you for your response.

I really looking forward to feeling better and energetic.

wow...6 hrs?? Mine lasted about 25 mins, 1X/week.  I was prescribed Venofer 20mg, an iron sucrose  infusion.  There is another kind of iron called iron dextron (I think) that is thicker and takes longer...that must be what you have been prescribed?  In either case, from my own experience, you should have no issues with driving afterwards, as there should be no side effects aside from a little ouch when the needle goes in. In rare cases, people have an allergic reaction and your dr will watch closely for that the first time.

I just got my bloodwork back and will be going to the dr tomorrow to talk about some new concerns.  All of my iron levels are within normal range now (YAY!!), my ferritin went from a 3 to an 81.  A new concern is that I am showing a very high RDW level, which could mean that my copper or zinc levels are off and that an anemia is still a concern...this would be an anemia caused by too little copper.  More bloodwork is in my future this week, sigh.  

I hope you are always getting copies of your labs. Drs do not always look at them that closely. I can guarantee that mine will look over my labs, only paying attention to all of the iron levels, and not even notice the other abnormalities until I point them out.  

Best of luck to you...I am sure you will be feeling much better soon.

wow 8,5 years post up and still doing so great! you are an inspiration :-) Can you also tell us your 'secrets'to your succes? What do you generally eat, what rules do you follow? we can use all those tips in the beginning :-0

 Thank you!  There are no secrets....anyone who is more tan a year out will tell you that the further out you get, the harder you have to work.  I still use protein shakes (many do not), I eat 6-7 small meals/day (many post ops and drs poopoo this idea, but it works for me and keeps my blood sugar very even), I am very diligent about my vitamins because I have seen what can happen when one is not----it will always catch up to you. Take advantage of that precious time in the beginning when, no matter what you eat, you lose weight....exercise even though it may not be appealing to you. The benefits will be big later!! Now, I exercise so that I can keep my weight steady and still eat.  Best of luck to you on your journey!!

I had gastric bypass 6 years ago....I did have a perforated ulcer complication 4 years ago. It was scary at the time, but it was fixed and all has been great.  I started at over 300 pounds and lost 196 pounds.  I have maintained my weight 115-120 for the past 4 years.  I couldnt be happier or healthier.  Before the surgery I too had high blood pressure, was pre diabetic (trying to get it under control with diet not very succesfully), had heart disease and diabetes in my immediate family and was heading that way quickly.  I saw my self heading in my mothers path and that scared me into making the choice of having the surgery.  I also weighed what I read about POSSIBLE complications etc and put it up against the known fact that of where my health was heading.  I took my chances, and even after having the complications, do not regret it one bit.  The true key is you have to make changes in your lifestyle and accept those changes as this is the way it will be forever.  If you are not willing to do that, then maybe this isnt for you.  Many people lose the weight and put alot back on because they do not change their old habits.  You need to eat to live...not live to eat....many of the things you love can no longer be part of your diet and that has to be ok to be successful.  When you make the committment you need to do it because you need the help and are willing to accept it......not because you are just looking for quick weight loss and an easy way to do it.  It is not easy, but you are given the tool to help you incorporate those changes like smaller portions and healthier food choices.  As far as losing too much weight.....You body will adjust.  The nutritionist will help you add foods that will stop the losing process (if your body hasnt stopped by itself).  Maybe just some healthy snacks etc to increase your calorie intake.  I joined weigh****chers with my last 10 pound**** my goal three weeks later and have been a lifetime member (free) ever since.  I couldnt always make my support groups as I work so I figured this would help keep me on track.  I go every week for the lecture....I track my food and only make the food choices they my stomach can tolerate (no more then 3-5 gms of sugar per serving)etc.  I am physically able to exercise now unlike when I was over 300 pounds and am able to do things I never would have done before.   I have truly gotten my life back (despite the "complications") and would not change it for anything!   Good luck with your decision.  I know you will make the one that is right for you.  If you are doing the research before then I know you are putting a lot of thought into it....which is the best way to make the decision right for you. 

Hi Debbie

also to you kudos for keeping it off and doing so well!! how did that ulcer come into light? I am always so scared for those kind of complications brrr.

what are your rules of succes? besides the tracking and ww meetings? What do you eat, what rules do you follow, how many cals/proteins do you eat?

we would love to learn from your succes :-)

Well about 6 months out I did have an ulcer that I became aware of after and endoscopy because I had an issue keeping food down.  It was treated with medicine and I was fine.  About 1 1/2 years later I woke up in the middle of the night with severe abdominal pain.  I thought I was having muscle spasms because 3 weeks prior I had just had a lower body lift to remove excess skin and tighten muscles which I should have known better since that was relatively easy healing and I had no pain at all during those 3 weeks.  I was already back to work.  Well it got progressivley worse overnight and my husband insisted on an ER visit.....Thank goodness!  I thought they would give me medicine and I would be on my way since my son was graduating high school that evening.  That was not the case at all.  I had a wonderful surgeon who told me I needed to have emergency surgery.  I wanted to go back to my bariatric surgeon since it was at the rny site, but he practiced at a different hospital.  I asked if I could be transferred and he and the bariatric surgeon agreed that this needed to be done immediately, and I should not do that.  I listened to them and had the surgery which did save my life as it was perforated and infection was spreading.  The lessoned learned is listen to your body....if you feel something is not right check it out anyway....the worse they can say is its nothing.  Dont wait thinking it will go away if you wait long enough.  Nine times out of 10....and it is caught early it can be treated with medicine.  Well since then (4 years ago) I take the nexium as a preventive measure, and just had an endoscopy and was told the surgery site and ulcers repair site is totally healed and looks completely normal. 

As far as my rules for success....i refer to my surgeons guide.  He gave me this green book at orientation, which I still use 6 years later....He said the people who have the most continued success do the following:

1.  Take all vitamins and supplements
2.  Ingest 80-120gm of protein per day
3.  Do not add carbs ( bread etc) after your RNY until you are almost at your goal.  I waited until I was 10 lbs away and to this day rarely eat them.  Maybe a little crackers or bread but never pasta.
4.  Exercise
5.  Make all of the above lifestyle changes, not just until you lose the weight.
6.  Get support from groups

Hope this helps....But dont be afraid of complications....just listen to your body.  You will know if something is not right.  Have it checked out.

Debbie