Question:
Does everyone need to take iron pills after surgery.

I'm 9wks post rny and feel tired all the time I drink my protein shake everyday 50g, and get a B-12 shot once a month, but wonder if I need to be taking an iron pill and what kind.My last blood test were fine ( a month ago) I have been fight a constipation problem, will iron make that worse. I really am sorry I had this surgery, I worry all the time about whats going to go wrong next, if I'm drinking enough, I dont even care about the weight lose anymore I just want to feel good again, I also fight nausea almost every morning. I got fired 2 wks ago because my boss said I looked ill and I do, I'm so pale. Will I ever feel good again and stop worrying so much?    — Julia M. (posted on October 31, 2001)

October 31, 2001
Excuse me, you got fired because you "looked" ill? Unless it was interfering with your work, that is illegal as hell!!! Can you say discrimination?
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
I met a woman in the surgeons office who was 13 months post-op and 120 lbs down. She said for 2 1/2 months she begged the dr. to undo it. She said that the depression was awful as she was single and the eating was her only comfort and that had been taken away with the surgery. She sought some help and was pleased with how it turned out in the end. I pray that you will soon feel better too:)
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
Have you been scoped to look at pouch & stoma (outlet)? Your nausea might be mechanical, only. Also, 50g of protein is too much at one time. You will feel better and enhance absorption if you make that into two shakes, maybe morning and mid-day. Less volume, and we can only absorb 30g (TOPS) at one time. There are irons that do not constipate. When you say your labs were "fine", what number is that?
   — vitalady

October 31, 2001
I'm with the very first post at the very bottom. You got FIRED because you looked ill??? ... you don't really seem upset about it! If that's true you can certainly file against your boss. NO ONE can fire ANYONE because they "look" ill! I would go to the bank with that one!
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
My guess is you were really fired for poor job performance...not because you looked tired. I can understand how it could happen. I was completely and utterly wiped out after my open rny. I went back to work after 8 weeks because I had used up all my sick time. I wasn't ready. I had no evergey, i was drained. I think I was also clinically depressed. I didn't have the energy to work...and I didn't really care. I'm fortunate in that I have a private office and work independtly; so, no one knew how unproductive I was. This condition lasted for weeks and weeks; but, I did return to normal. You just have to be patient. But, your employer has a right to expect you to peform your job. Concentrate on getting your health back...then look for a new and better job. It DOES get better....
   — [Anonymous]

November 1, 2001
Julia, Have you talked to your doctor or surgeon about the depression. I battle with depression and when I am at my low everything lookes worse than it really is. My headaches are worse, my arthritis is worse, everything is bad. I read your profile and many things have happened in your life that would lead to depression. I can really relate. Find a counsler you can talk to, that can help you deal with all the loses in your life. And I agree that I would talk to your surgeon about your progress just to make sure nothing is wrong that can be corrected. Hang in there and I know that things will get better for you. {{{hugs}}}
   — [Anonymous]

November 2, 2001
My iron levels have always been fine. I did not begin feeling really well until about 3 months out - I didn't feel *bad* before then, just tired and not myself. There are a whole host of vitamin deficiencies which can contribute to fatigue. In my case, although my iron was fine, my zinc levels were low (along with corresponding high copper which was preventing the asorption on the zinc). I added a zinc supplement and much of the fatigue went away. Have your blood tested again at 3 months out to see what's going on with your levels and adjust accordingly. -Kate-
   — kateseidel