Question:
Severe Anemia and Blood Transfusions?

HI all! Has anyone had any experience with blood transfusions for severe anemia? I am going into the hospital on Tuesday for these transfusions and wanted to know if there are any side effects or anything I should watch out for. Actually, I am so confused because when I went to my surgeon for postop visits, he said my iron was seriously low but, that supplements would take care of it. They didn't. He said that a blood transfusion is not an option and neither were B12 shots. I had to go to the emergency room the other night because of dizziness and low and behold my iron is even worse (really really low). The internist said that the only thing to do is to have transfusions and B12 shots and wanted to put me in immediately but I had obligations the next day. I am going in Tuesday and think I remember someone saying that the transfusions cause muscle cramps and other things. I just want to be aware of everything before having this done so there are no surprises. Also, don't let any surgeon tell you that with the BPD/DS you don't need B12 shots! Some of us obviously do. I am absorbing almost 0 iron and B12. I just recommend that people also see an internist along with their surgeon a few months after surgery just to be on the safe side. I went to 2 different bariatric surgeons and neither of them really knew what to do. Thanks for any answers to this. Just want to hear other's experiences. Barbara---BPD/DS 6/99--lost 165 lbs.    — Barbara H. (posted on November 20, 2000)

November 19, 2000
In researching my wls I have found that iron supplements are to be taken separately from calcium supplements because calcium can block the absorption of iron. Also iron is to be taken on an empty stomach for full benefit. Many suggest taking it first thing in the morning and waiting a period of time before eating food. It is best to take a supplement with calcium later in the day. Were you taking your supplements as required since your surgery? Does your Dr. have good support groups and after surgery followup care to relay these details to you? All very important when choosing a surgery and surgeon. Also fat soluble A,D,E (and I think K) are to be taken in a water soluble form. Regarding the vitamin B12: Are you sure your Dr. actually performed the DS surgery and not RNY or BPD (without duodenal switch)? You may want to inquire from your surgeon as to exactly how he transected your stomach. (Many of these procedures vary slightly in technique and name. For instance RNY Distal and BPD are the same (or almost same) surgeries with different names and they are both different from the BPD/DS) The general standard in the DS procedure leaves the lower stomach and duodenum areas functioning that should be absorbing vitamin B12 (and Iron) from foods and supplements. (unlike the RNY/distal & proximal and regualar BPD) Unless the surgery you really had was a BPD(without switch) where the stomach and duodenum are bi-passed? Question your surgeon....It makes a big difference! Good Luck with your transfusions.
   — [Anonymous]

November 20, 2000
Hello Oral absorbtion of supplements (b-12 vitamins ect.) is the fastest,purest and most absorbent way to get the extra nutrition we all need. KareMor sprays as seen at the ASBS meetings solve many problems! www.credden.mybsns.com Best Regards James
   — James R.

November 20, 2000
Barbara: I wrote my experience with transfusions that I had in 1974 and mailed it to your posted email address. Unless they changed a lot since then, It waS pretty uneventful...
   — Victoria B.

July 7, 2004
Wow Barbara! Its good to know I am not the only one suffering severely from anemia and lack of iron absorbtion. My story is quite long so I'll say what is important as detailed as I can. My surgery was January 10, 2003. I lost about 150 lb. and was doing great so I thought. The night before Easter of this year I passed out in a store and after being transported by MAST to a loacal hospital they discovered my blood count was only 6. I was in big danger. I signed a release form and went home. Two days later I was admitted to St. Lukes on the Plaza which is my regular hospital. The story is non stop from there. I received an emergency blood transfusion, spent eight days in the hospital, have been unable to work since then. After many test they have come to the conclusion that my body no longer absorbs iron in any form EXCEPT....an IV. Thus, I go to the KC Cancer Center to get iron infusion treatments which are painful because my veins are so small. Nobody told me about this side effect to the surgery,. In a matter of minutes my life has turned completely upside down. I am always very weak, taking a lot of meds, cannot drive too far, cannot be left alone too long, and the list goes on. The doctors have told me that my body probably will never absorb iron again and in addition to all of that I am now bleeding internally. I cannot tell anyone what to do but what I will say is this is no joke and a terrible place to be in. I see a series of doctors now on a regular basis and to top it off the doctor who did my surgery doesn't even do it anymore. Hmmm I don't wish what I am experiencing now on anyone and had I known before what I know now I never would have had the surgery. But its too late to cry over spilled milk. I just try hard to make it from one day to the next. My doctor told me just today that the status of my health is critical and don't expect to be better for months or even longer. I don't want to scare you but I want as many people to be aware of this as possible. For some people the ferrous sulfate tablets work well but for me none of that works at all. I wish you only the best. Please keep me posted on how you are doing. I don't get on this site much but again I wish you well.
   — Nancy J.