2-year Post-Op physical and blood-work finally done!

I met with my primary care physician earlier this week. We covered all the bases, and she referred me to get a mammogram and a colonoscopy among all the blood panel that is needed to make sure I am on the right track.

Only a few labs have returned, and she gave me a call earlier, it seems my iron, ferritin, and vitamin-D levels are low, and we were expecting it, but they were lower than last year. I have to admit, I have dropped the ball for the last year and have not been consistent with my daily supplements. This morning was a reminder that this is lifelong, a forever thing I must do. She recommended an iron iv drip as soon as possible. I reached out to my bariatric surgeon, and it seems his office will be able to do that for me, just waiting on the cost :/

AC1 is at 5.4, so I am still keeping diabetes at bay!!! The doctor was so impressed that I reversed diabetes, and said she was profoundly proud of me. I know I must do better, it is still borderline normal.

Albumin/Protein levels are in normal ranges.

We are waiting to get results on the cholesterol, and the thyroid panel. There were other tests the doctor wanted to get a reading on, so we are still waiting.

In the meantime, I have started my daily multivitamin, calcium citrate, and iron with vitamin-c supplements. I ordered the Bariatric Advantage Vit-D oil drops today, as well as omega-3 caps.

Other good news is that I have lost 6lbs, but I know it is the water retention from my menstrual period I had from my period last week.

Thanks for reading.

Well done on the diabetes especially! It is, literally, a killer!
I'm only 10 months out (tomorrow) and I hate taking the vitamins, but I'm doing it. Thank you for the generous reminder that this was a LIFE TIME decision!

Last time I had my labs my PCP was like your levels look amazing....do you supplement? I was like yes. He said way to go. Some of my levels were "high" but not on anything that would hurt so he said it was fine. I just need to watch my fat bc my cholesterol was borderline. All that red meat. :) Fingers crossed that you all your other levels come back really well.

Shirl, I'm glad you had your blood panel done and that you're again taking your vitamins AS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR SURGEON.

This next bit is NOT aimed at you, but I gotta say it anyway:

Why is it that people who have this surgery simply DON'T BELIEVE, TRUST OR FOLLOW THROUGH with the prescription they're given pre-op to make necessary changes in their behavior -- in this case, that we must take vitamin/mineral/other supplements for the rest of our lives?

Seriously, why don't they?

And a second question: Could it be that those who DON'T follow through lifelong with this Rx prescription of vitamins/minerals/supplements put themselves in greater danger for regain?

A related question: Could it be that lowered levels of nutrition, as reflected by below-normal levels of iron, B12, ferritin (related to iron, obviously), vitamins A, D, C, etc. etc. etc. cause food cravings?

And final question: When we have cravings for nutrients we're missing and are (subliminally) feeling poorly, do we, due to lifelong habits, reach for and eat those same crap slider foods that then put us FURTHER INTO NUTRITIONAL IMBALANCE?

S.M.D.H.*

* Look it up.

I also wanted to mention that supplementation doesn't need to be high-priced or fancy.

I'm 3+ years out and my nutritional lab work looks perfect. I take the cheap Kirkland multivitamins with iron that are sold at Costco for $10 to $15 per bottle of 500 tablets. I also take a cheapie vitamin D capsule daily.

I feel that we're less likely to adhere to a regimen if we make it too complicated or create too many hoops to jump through. Expensive vitamin patches and fad diets are unnecessary. The basics usually work just fine.

Good luck to all. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ann2

A related question: Could it be that lowered levels of nutrition, as reflected by below-normal levels of iron, B12, ferritin (related to iron, obviously), vitamins A, D, C, etc. etc. etc. cause food cravings?

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Completely accurate!! when my iron is lower than usual, I have awful sweet cravings!! it's always confirmed with my blood tests..

Also eating too much carbs give carbs cravings (because the hypo then hyperglycemia so no balance) and can trigger inflammation..

And finally probiotics do wonder for the absorption of nutriments...but you have to get the higher number and it can get expensive!!

I take my vitamins religiously, and yet my d and iron are always too low. If I can't get enough sun and my periods get hemorrhagic, all the supplements in the world can't help, it gets real bad...it will be a little better indeed with the help of my vitamins but maintaining a "normal" level seems impossible so far, I already take a high dosage of everything, taking more could be toxic....

Congrats! These resuts are quite good!

Oh, I know that this kind of operation has a great impact on us. The fear before the surgery and then the recovery process takes us a lot. So it is natural that you celebrate that you are a healthy person. Of course, there are some side effects, but the most important thing is that you can have a decent life. My doctor direct recommended I take supplements that improve blood circulation. Also immediately after the surgery, I was on antidepressants. Now, everything is behind and I am fine. And so you will be!

Everything looks fine to me, honestly.

interesting, ty