Question:
I am serevely Anemic and always have been

I have always been anemic and have never gotten it to go to normal. I have heard that i can have a blood transfusion before surgery by my regular doctor. I want this surgery. Can someone who has anemia and has had this surgery let me know how it went for them? Thanks    — Nikkimarien (posted on January 7, 2002)

January 7, 2002
You should get a prescription for trinsicon ("foltrin" generic name). It is high potency iron and it has made my blood tests for iron content normal. This is a lifetime supplement.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 7, 2002
I am a chronically anemic person and have been just about my whole life... Anytime in the past when I have had to have surgery they have always told me that there would be a good chance that I would have to have a blood transfusion, but luckily I never did. This time, knowing I was having the surgery way in advance, I was able to get my Iron levels built up. Why aren't they able to get your levels to come up? Are you taking Iron supplements at this time? There were times when I only took 30 mg of Ferrous Sulfate (to maintain levels), but at other times I was taking up to 500 mg at a time to increase it. Can't they increase your dosage enough to get you "up" to where you should be? My iron deficiency has always been a mystery as I had a hysterectomy several years ago and so it could not be attributed to that. When they did the WLS, they think they finally found the cause of the problem as I had an esophogeal hernia that continually bled... I am anxious to see if I continue to have problems now that it has been repaired. Good luck and I really hope you are able to find another source of getting your iron levels up besides a transfusion... that is pretty drastic and is usually done only when your levels are sooo low that it is life threatening. Take care...
   — Kellie Jo B.

January 7, 2002
I was anemic my WHOLE life, until a few months post-op. Once my iron levels were adjusted properly with non-sulfate iron, they gradually improved over time until I need no iron supps now. I still watch, of course, but what a relief after years of being told to "eat meat", which is not of much interest to me.
   — vitalady

January 10, 2005
Nikki, a blood transfusion is NOT FUN! I just went thru that and am 2+ years post-op! There are ways to build up your iron BEFORE surgery, but remember that even after surgery and more importantly AFTER surgery you WILL have to continue watching it! I didn't and if you read my profile you will see where it landed me! Good luck to you!
   — Carole M.