Question:
What should I have checked 3-6 months post op?
My surgeon does not require labs (ever). I want to ask him to write a prescription for me to have blood work, but I want to SPECIFY EVERYTHING I want to have checked. I know this used to be available in the library, but I could not find a comprehensive list. If anyone has the SPECIFICS, could you please share them. A lot of the answers in the library list a few and then add "...plus a few more I can't think of..." I need them all. PLEASE! Thank you! — Karen F. (posted on September 25, 2002)
September 25, 2002
This website (http://www.sabariatric.com/followup_plan.htm) outlines what
San Antonio Bariatric (not my doctors - I live in PA) requires as far as
lab tests: <b>One Month Post-op</b> Labs: CBC, Chem 7, Ca/Mg/P,
Fe, transferrin,<b>
Three Months Post-op</b>Labs: as above, plus Albumin and
B12/Folate.<b>Six Months Post-op</b>Labs: same as at three
months, plus Fe/transferrin/TIBC<b>One Year Post-op, and
Yearly</b> Labs: CBC, Chem 7 profile plus Ca/Mg/P,
Fe/transferrin/TIBC, Albumin, B12/Folate.
<p>
At this point, all <b>my</b> surgeon required was a CBC
(complete blood count). Just like everyone is different, every surgeon is
different...JR (open RNY, 07/17, -84#)
— John Rushton
September 25, 2002
What is more important is that you have these labs done periodically and
*compare* your values. My B-12 has been in the normal range each time that
I have had my labs done (6 times), but when I compared the numbers of each
draw, the value had decreased each time. I wasn't getting B-12 in my
system and was terribly exhausted. The calcium test is pretty much a waste
of time. If you are not getting proper amounts of calcium, your body will
*steal* from your bones and your labs will show a normal result, yet your
bones will be screaming for calcium. That is why a dexascan is necessary
for evaluating how bioavailable your calcium supplement is and if indeed it
is working for you. Of all of the labs that I have done, the ones I really
keep an eye on are: albumin (protein), Fe (iron), B-12, and potassium.
The Vitamin panel contains the B-12. Other labs are CBC, Chem 17, Lipid
Panel, and Folate.
— Cheri M.
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