Recent Posts

Yea the zero energy ... Been there in the past. 

I take B12 shots, 1000mcg every week. But, most people, WLS or not, don't need more that 1cc or 1000mcg every month. How do I know I need weekly? Because my blood work shows low normal B12 a week after injection. I've had it tested over and over. So my doc does not agrgue but gives me script for weekly B12 shots. 

Now what is normal B12? Most labs list 250-900.  But I feel my best with my B12 higher than 800. And levels up to 2000 should not cause problem for most people.  There are studies that show that levels below 550 can cause PERMANENT damage to the nerves. Brain - heart, movement. Same a low B1, or high B6. Lab work is critical.  At the same time - some people need 2xweek B12 shots. Some -don't need any, and once a week subligual B12 is fine for them. 

Now - iron... - I have hematologist.  Long story - after my plastic surgery, I had a very hard time with recovery. I was tired, exosted all the time. Blood work based on my doc was "fine".  But I was not fine. Finally long term WLS vet who herselfed suffered from "your labs are fine", and educated herself on what is really fine and what it is not, offered to look at my labs. She pointed out to me that not only very few critical markers were tested, but the one that were tested were borderline- low normal.  She convinced me to go back to the doc and ask for detailed lab work. 

My proteins, B12, iron, ferritin, D, etc - were barely normal. I was borderline anemic. Taking iron - any iron oraly caused a lot of pain.   My surgeon agreed to send me to hematologist.  With borderline (ferritin was 9-10), borderline low count of red blood cells, he agreed to give me iron infusions. 2 months later, while in Colorado I had no problem hiking in the mountains. From being depressed, with RLS like symptoms (due to low iron) to a normal person. But it was combination of increased proteins, D3, B12, iron, B1. And avoiding B6. My B6 was toxic...4x max what top of the chart should be. 3 years later my B6 is borderline high... Just a smidgen..

Herbs- wow...I take bunch, for my thyrods and adrenals, and my back - inflamation. (i have disks herniated causing full time sciatica pain and inflamation.) 

I also have adrenal insufficiency(AI)  my body does not make enough steroids - so I Rx for that. (it took me long time to get diagnosed). I am 55 so we aren't sure why it is happening. Or if I had that even before RNY ????

I deal with a lot of "challenges" including food allergies, IBS-C, severe RH, etc.  The AI may be a cause or result of all of this.  The docs and scentists are divided what is a cause- what what is effect...(like ith an egg and a chicken - what was first?)

I educate myself, I do a lot of research and just changing my diet - and removing gluten, soy, grains and dairy changed my IBS and even my blood work.  First time in like ever - my iron is high, just from eating red meat and veggies. 

There is a condition called SIBO - that I most likely have, as RNY - and I took long term PPI, etc... Most likely have that because of RNY. (Google SiBO)

SIBO can be responsible for all of my issues - food allergies, skin problem, inflammation in the body (hip pain, swelling) , leaky gut, low energy, low B12, low iron, even...adrenal issues.... etc etc etc... 

Latest study show that gut flora can be responsible for a lot of things - including depression, fibromyalgia, diabetes, etc etc etc... 

Unfortunately -SIBO is very difficult to erradicate, specially with RNY, and most food allergies are not reversible. But as long as I don't develop new ones- I am ok. 

(sorry for any typos- my tablet outocorrects sometimes). 

I have a roomy pouch, large stoma and very little bypassed intestine.  I eat a lot (too much) of healthy food.  My  levels of vitamins were so high that they reran some tests to make sure there weren't lab errors.  My ophthalmologist didn't recommend too much B vitamins because that could cause eye damage.  Perhaps next year I will ask to have them checked.  Also our insurance is useless.  We have to pay for the first $4000.  Labs are expensive.  Take care,  Tri 

Mercy!  I knew this journey would be rough but to admit I'm in trouble so soon is SO EMBARRASING. 

I'm not going to quit this board.  I need to be held accountable.  4th of July I allowed myself to go off my plan....then I was in "left-over hell" the next two days.  It is like I forgot why I want to lose weight and didn't care one little bit.  Do any of you do that?  Completely go off the grid and not care while you are off? 

Well, I DO care again.  Tomorrow I'm going to be very careful and get over myself.  No sugar, bread, etc.  When we were first losing we had none of the yum/yucky stuff.  We didn't want it (lease I didn't).  For awhile there food made me so sick I  wished food didn't even exist.  Well, I'm not there anymore...have to be in more control!   

Very interesting.  Now I have several questions if/when you have time to respond.

i gave WLS to myself for my 54th birthday. I am now 68.  About 12 years ago I had zero energy. I went to my doc in Houston, TX for annual physical.  The blood draw showed that I was depleted of B-12 and iron.  I give myself 1cc of B-12 every 2 weeks.  HOW MUCH B-12 DO YOU INJECT WEEKLY?  I was told the body needs only 2cc/month, but they aren't familiar with the needs of a WLS patient.  I was taking prescription iron that is for pregnant women and was on it for several years. I think that is what caused blisters on my liver. My current PCP in Seattle, WA told me to stop taking iron.  Now, 5 years later I am anemic.  WHAT IS AN IRON INFUSION & DID YOU FEEL MORE ENERGY AFTER GETTING IT?  

WHAT HERBS DO YOU TAKE?  I take milk thistle for liver and a probiotic.

I had pain in legs for a while and took lots of Aleve - my PCP told me to take Tylenol instead, but that is still bad. 

I wish you well.