Question:
I am five months post op and this has been bothering me for a while.

I spoke to a lady that has a sister who had wls. She was over 500 lbs. and is now under 200 lbs. She has health problems before her surgery and now more so then ever. She has a problem with absorbing vitamins and has osteoporosis very bad. She had a skeletal x-ray done and the doctors could not count the number of fractures she had because there were so many. I am now a little concerned about my own health and if this is common for post ops. I do takes my vitamins faithfully every day, but it does sit in the back of my mind wondering if I absorbing the proper amount of vitamins a day.    — Adele S. (posted on November 1, 2002)

November 1, 2002
You don't say what kinds of health problems, how long she was overweight, what kinds of supplements, her age, or any ther information or what you have in common with this person other than having this surgery. Everybody and every body is different. How about comparing yourself to all the people out there whose lives have changed drastically for the BETTER?? If you want this surgery badly enough, do the research to find all the data you can-- positive and negative. Good luck.
   — Marti R.

November 1, 2002
Adele, there are a few things here that need further information. First, what surgery did this woman have?? IF it was one of the older weight loss surgeries, then the malabsorption of the vitamins are MUCH worse with that then with the RNY. That is why they do not do them any longer. Second, was she compliant with taking her vitamins and calcium, and did she take the right TYPE of calcium. I still get so frustrated seeing people on here that are using TUMS for calcium replacement. Becasue I know that 5-10 years from now, they are going to be in her shoes- needlessly. We should all be taking calcium citrate. Third, you state that she had health probelms pre surgery. Are they the same problems?? Are they problems that added to her current problems?? So Many Questions with this type of infomration!! You should be concerend about your vitamin absorption!! OF course you should, that is why you need blood work and to talk to you physician when you have any health problems or concerns to make sure that you are getting in all of the vitamins (and calcium) that your body requires to stay healthy. Good Luck to you!!
   — Vicki L.

November 1, 2002
I had surgery in July and my doctor just ordered a bone scan so he would have a baseline to compare future scans to. I think he wants me to have another one in 2-3 years to make sure everything is okay. So far everything is going great and all of my bloodwork has come back fine so I guess I am absorbing my iron, B12, multivitamin, etc... Good luck!
   — rachelryan

November 1, 2002
If your friend started out at 500 lbs., she very likely had an extreme version of WLS called the "distal" RNY, where they bypass quite a bit of intestine. It works best for super-obese individuals, since in some cases they have to lose 300+ lbs. and need the most drastic option. This is likely what is causing your friends malabsorption problems, though. With a regular proximal RNY (less intestine bypassed), your chances for serious problems are very slim. This surgery has been being performed for stomach cancer victims for literally decades now with very good long-term results.
   — Terissa R.

November 1, 2002
I agree with all the other posters, but feel the need for my 2 cents on this subject. I can't begin to count the number of people who 'knew someone' who had WLS or a friend of a friend who had WLS, or whatever, related to them or not, that told me all their horror stories. I never heard anything good from them. Had I listened and let it bother me, I never would have had my VBG. You don't know these other peoples background, you don't know how bad their previous health problems were, and for the most part neither does the person telling you all these bad things. Ever hear of rumors? They sometimes get started by people with 'good intentions'. You need to do your own research and determine what is best for you. And this lady's sister...if she hadn't had WLS with all the problems she had, what do you think were her chances of even being alive now? Sometimes people have to choose the lesser of two evils.
   — salymsmommy

November 2, 2002
We have a nutritionist that attends our support group and many insurances will cover them. The other posts are good info also. You definitely need to supplement with calcium and the right kind, not tums. My mom has osteo... so I am very concerned and really monitor my calcium and my bone scans. I have had 2 but I am 55 so they are normal for me now.
   — Elizabeth K.

November 3, 2002
Adele, I tried emailing you but the message came back undeliverable. Please email me, I think I can help this lady. Patti RN
   — Patti S.