Question:
I am scheduled to have tt surgery June 8th and have heard the doc will cancel if I

have low blood count or low iron. I need to start taking iron pills now to build up my iron. Any suggestions? Thank you so much.    — Janine O. (posted on May 4, 2004)

May 4, 2004
Do like they said and take the iron. I had to take 325mg of ferrous iron pills 3 times a day for the two weeks before I gave blood for my surgery and until at least 2 weeks after. I ended up doing about 3 weeks after because I lost so much blood during surgery. It will likely constipate you so stock up on the stool softener. Other than that it's no big deal.
   — zoedogcbr

May 4, 2004
If ferrous sulfate hurts you (coming in or going out) and that is your fear, there are other irons out there that can be much gentler and better absorbed (by anyone) than that. Remember that iron is always taken with vit C, never with caffeine or dairy or whole grains, any other vites, minerals or meds. Alone together for 2 hrs as a normie. OK?
   — vitalady

May 4, 2004
Did you doctor say he would? I know my iron was low (I was having a hernia repair and TT (different surgeons) the hernia doctor 'ordered a blood transfusion instead of cancelling surgery' have you talked to your doctor? Also, if you are having trouble getting in your iron Barictric Advantage has a GREAT chewable (tasted good too) iron. Are you seeing your PCP for low iron? My iron was 'low' and didnt come up until my doctor started giving me B12 twice a month... Also if you are not responding to 'over the counter iron' there is IRON that your doctor can prescribe.
   — star .

May 5, 2004
The iron supplements are better absorbed when taken in association with food that naturally contains a lot of iron. Try taking your pills while munching on spinach dip or something like that. It may help you get the most out of the supplements. Good luck!
   — christied

May 5, 2004
Well, this is my suggestion, for whatever it's worth... First, I think you should call your surgeon and ask him what to take. It's really important that the Dr. know what you're doing and he'll probably have advice for you. Second, you could try a sublingual liquid B12 complex, which is popular with post ops. The one I take one that I get a WalMart. It's cheap (under 10 bucks for a bottle) and easy (you hold the liquid under your tongue for 30 seconds then swallow.) I take it every other day, but I'm sure that if you want to increase your iron, you could take it every day. Good luck to you and please give your surgeon's office a call...it certainly couldn't hurt to be careful.
   — LMCLILLY

May 6, 2004
Hello all original poster here. Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I appreciate it. I'm going out to buy some iron pills and vitamin C. I will have to do a blood transfusion on May 26th and I don't want my iron to be too low. JLO 324/185/165
   — Janine O.