Question:
Anemic

I had my postop ppt. yesterday, I have been very weak, and they told me that my iron is low and am anemic. they gave me over the counter iron supplement to boost it back up. Has anyone had this happen to them, and did it eventually balance out and go away?    — teresasmiles (posted on February 16, 2008)

February 16, 2008
I WAS ANEMIC GOING INTO SURGERY AND HAD MY 3 MONTHS LABS DONE AND STILL AM. MY PCP DONE MY LABS AND I SEE MY SURGEON TUES 19th AND I'L DISCUSS IT WITH HIM. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT ALWAYS BEING TIRED. MY PCP DIDN'T CHANGE MY MEDICINE JUST SAID TO TALK TO SURGEON ABOUT IT. I DID INCREASE MY IRON MYSELF, I TAKE A CHEWABLE IRON 27 MG AND VITAMIN C TO HELP ABSORB IT SO I INCREASED IT TO 3 A DAY UNTIL I SEE MY SURGEON. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SURGERY AND LOSING 14 lbs, YOU'LL BE LOSING ALOT MORE REAL SOON. I HOPE YOU GET TO FEELING BETTER, GOD BLESS DEBI
   — DEBI R.

February 16, 2008
Low iron or anemia is common among women, especially mestruating women. I just heard this at one of my bariatric support group meetings less than 2 weeks ago. Reasons are unknown at this time. But there is a good segment of the non RNY population that have low iron levels too. Only future blood tests will tell if you need to take it for a long time or only temprorarily. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

February 16, 2008
Hi Teresa, I had VSG not RNY, but I was also very tired for about 6 weeks. I did not have iron problems. I am 60 and I think it was just the surgery. I am fine now, thank goodness! Just hang in there and do what the docs tell you. Pat
   — pjennjr

February 16, 2008
Low Iron happens in men too following the surgery. The over the country Iron (324MG) will just go right through you and you will not absore it if you have had a RNY. Try to find a chewable iron and take 30 MG 4 times a day. Try www.buildingblock.com as they make medication for baratrics.
   — William (Bill) wmil

February 16, 2008
Iron anemia is an expectable and preventable part of malabsorptoin. I use Tender Iron, which is gentle and keeps iron and ferritin levels at "fabulous", since I don't feel so well at just "fine". I was anemic all my life til after WLS and the trial and error of find the right iron. The ferrous family of iron is not my first choice. The 325 or 324 is iron salts, not elemental iron and often is brutal to the innards, as well as not being absorbed so well. Just remember that iron is always taken with vit C, never with dairy, caffeine, eggs, whole grains, any other vites, minerals or meds. Alone, together for at least an hour.
   — vitalady

February 16, 2008
this has happened to me as well and i am better now. when i was pregnant i had it too and now i am better. I do get low blood sugar sugars sometimes though
   — tl_morgan

February 16, 2008
I had the DS 7 years ago and it has been an ongoing struggle with my iron and calcium. I have had several over the counter and iron prescriptions and I have two series of iron infusions but my iron levels would constantly drop. I finally found a product that works (Biometics liquid supplement) and this is the first time I have had this much energy and good iron levels. Please feel free to email me and I'll tell you which products I take [email protected].
   — jjsmommy2

February 16, 2008
Hi Teresa, thanks for writing. Low iron is something many women have problems with. Please take it seriously. Find good foods with iron in them, and also use your suppliment. Low iron can cause problems, and you don't want to mess with it. I don't understand all the problems, but I do know women who had to have iron shots daily due to the problem. I would avoid that at all costs. There is a lot of good iron in foods, this is a good time to bone up on your nutrition, get a book or two on what is in your food and find some that will help you out. Protein is not the only source of iron, there are veggies that can help this too. God gave us food to fuel our bodies, and this is a good time to do just that. Take care and I wish you well. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

February 17, 2008
Low iron levels will definitely leave you weak, but at this point your body is also trying to recover from major surgery on very few calories per day. It will take time for your body to adjust to all of the changes. I'm two years post-rny and still dealing with low iron off and on. At this point I'm on 28mg of iron glycinate in the afternoon and 56mg of ferrous sulfate at night (each taken with vitamin C to increase absorption.) I haven't had blood work since January, but at this point I think I'm doing OK. When my iron was really low I did have extreme fatigue. One of the nurses told me early on that it takes several weeks of daily supplements to get your energy back, and I've found that to be true for me. Best of luck and don't get discouraged. You will get better!
   — packrat

February 17, 2008
I was very anemic but iron twice a day fix'ed me right up I am down to 1 pill a day. I am 37 and had my surgery Aug,2005.
   — 070510

February 18, 2008
I don't have the answer Teresa but I am in the same boat you are. I had surgery 5.5 years ago and the last six months I have been tried with brain fog. I am also Anemic and my Ferritin is very low. Six months ago, my Vitamin D was almost non-existent. It is ironic because I take other supplements but somewhere down the line I have forgotten to take my my multivitamin with dry A and D, with my Vitamin B12. Also I never took iron which I have just ordered from the Vitaminlady, Michelle. I am also going back to protein shakes today because I know I am not getting the proper nutrition and fuel to keep my body going. Hopefully we will both get help and healthier soon.
   — Joanie J.

February 18, 2008
I also was very anemic. they told me to take over the counter iron pills and they make you constipated. Needless to say I ended up with a very painfull fissure. I ended up having to go for iron IV's. And then I had to have endometrial ablation. Whic stopped the loss of iron and I am good now. I actually was able to give blood a few weeks ago.
   — Joanc

February 19, 2008
hi I am in the same boat as you. I had my surgery 07-3-07 and taking over the counter iron wasn't doing anything. I stayed tired like you so my Dr. Put me on prescription iron(Repliva) I have enough energy that I could bottle it up.ask your dr about it and stay in there it'll get better.
   — MsGriff07

February 20, 2008
HI, One thing I didn't see mentiioned...make sure you do not take your calcium and iron at the same time. Calcium binds with the iron and prevents its absorbtion. Separate the two by at least an hour, preferably 2 hours.
   — debramc

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