Comments on: A Little Trouble

By: Osvaldo Tuyet

Osvaldo Tuyet — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:08:33 +0000

They still have me crushing my medications, unless they are chewable. Do
you crush your Iron or is there a chewable?. I have a chewable C at home I
could take with an Iron. I actually have a sublingual b12 at home I could
take too. You take the B12 daily too about the same time you do the other
vitamins? I have to do a Dexa to get an idea of if I have osteopenia or
anything. Doctor said it is a baseline.

Yes, Loriann, I take my iron and C first thing in the morning, and
then an hour later start other things. The A,D,E (and K) need to be
dry, as opposed to oil based (we malabsorb oils).

I know there are one fits all vitamins sold for bariatric patients,
but - as an example, iron and calcium should not be taken together,
one cancels the other out. Your B12 needs to be sublingual because
we don’t have the intrinsic factor to use it. I’m not saying to

not take the vitamin, but it would be good for you to watch your
labs because I can’t believe you’re getting the full advantage of
them. At some point you may need to supplement some portion of
them. I have extra problems because, even at 250, I was
osteoporotic BEFORE surgery, so I take a ton of calcium (and D and
Magnesium).

Sorry.
Pam

_____

I am taking some supplement found online at Walgreens that is
designed for
after bariatric surgery and they have iron, vitamin C and everything
together. I am not taking a B12 sublingual tablet since it is in
that
supplement I take 4 a day throughout the day. So you are taking a
Vitamin c
and iron and then later taking other supplements?

B12 is what they usually look at first. With our surgeries, we need
to be
taking sublingual tabs, because we don’t have the intrinsic factor
for
swallowed ones. Or shots. I know of people who just don’t even
absorb from
sublinguals. I think I mentioned, iron need to be taken with
Vitamin C, but
separate from all other things, usually. I take mine when I first
wake up,
and then get online and answer emails, and an hour later I start
with my
first
coffee, and a little later, breakfast. But I’m an early riser.
Good luck!
Pam in Niceville

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 11:41:46 +0000

Yes, Loriann, I take my iron and C first thing in the morning, and
then an hour later start other things. The A,D,E (and K) need to be
dry, as opposed to oil based (we malabsorb oils).

I know there are one fits all vitamins sold for bariatric patients,
but - as an example, iron and calcium should not be taken together,
one cancels the other out. Your B12 needs to be sublingual because
we don’t have the intrinsic factor to use it. I’m not saying to
not take the vitamin, but it would be good for you to watch your
labs because I can’t believe you’re getting the full advantage of
them. At some point you may need to supplement some portion of
them. I have extra problems because, even at 250, I was
osteoporotic BEFORE surgery, so I take a ton of calcium (and D and
Magnesium).

Sorry.
Pam

_____

By: Osvaldo Tuyet

Osvaldo Tuyet — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:24:37 +0000

I am taking some supplement found online at Walgreens that is designed for
after bariatric surgery and they have iron, vitamin C and everything
together. I am not taking a B12 sublingual tablet since it is in that
supplement I take 4 a day throughout the day. So you are taking a Vitamin c
and iron and then later taking other supplements?

B12 is what they usually look at first. With our surgeries, we need to be
taking sublingual tabs, because we don’t have the intrinsic factor for
swallowed ones. Or shots. I know of people who just don’t even absorb from
sublinguals. I think I mentioned, iron need to be taken with Vitamin C, but
separate from all other things, usually. I take mine when I first wake up,
and then get online and answer emails, and an hour later I start with my
first
coffee, and a little later, breakfast. But I’m an early riser.
Good luck!

Pam in Niceville

_____

By: Jamey Lancaster

Jamey Lancaster — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:42:50 +0000

B12 is what they usually look at first. With our surgeries, we need to be
taking sublingual tabs, because we don’t have the intrinsic factor for
swallowed ones. Or shots. I know of people who just don’t even absorb from
sublinguals. I think I mentioned, iron need to be taken with Vitamin C, but
separate from all other things, usually. I take mine when I first wake up,
and then get online and answer emails, and an hour later I start with my first
coffee, and a little later, breakfast. But I’m an early riser.
Good luck!
Pam in Niceville

By: Osvaldo Tuyet

Osvaldo Tuyet — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:01:28 +0000

Actually the blood workup was asking for Ferritin but I don’t remember if B1
was being requested. THe surgeon seemed more concerned with B12. But I will
check and look at what amount of Iron I am taking. I don’t remember how
much was in the supplement but I need to stay on top of it. Thanks for the
suggestion about putting it in a spreadsheet. Good idea.

Loriann, get both your iron and your ferritin checked. Ferritin is
your "iron stores" (It’s actually a protein that holds the iron
before it goes into the blood cells.) Your iron may be normal, but
if your ferritin is tanking, then you need to up your
supplementation or consider a trip to a hematologist for injections
or infusions. We no longer absorb iron in the usual way, and
particularly if we have periods or have had surgery. My ferritin has
really dropped since my plastic surgery. My PCP isn’t worried, but I
know enough to know from others who have had this surgery, that once

you get fully anemic, it’s really hard to get your iron levels back
up. So, I upped my iron dose to 250mgs a day. Will get tested again
in a bit.

Once you get your bloodwork done, be sure to get a copy of your labs
and keep them in a spreadsheet, so that you can track them over
time. The doc will just look (usually) to see if you fall in the
"normal" range. But if, over time, your numbers show a downward
trend, it’s good to know so that you can supplement to get it back.

Another thing that’s showing up lately is B1, or thiamine,
deficiencies (big to-do about it at the ASBS conference the last
coupla years). I’m going to ask to be tested for it on my next
test, although I am taking extra B vitamins. A b1 deficiency will
cause neurological problems and some of it might be permanent. (as
will a b12 deficiency)

Pam in Niceville

_____

Oh I didn’t know that. Actually I just got some papers from the
doctor
requesting blood work so I will make sure I get that done right
away.
Thanks for the advise!

Just a thought, Lorianne, if you are craving ice (may not be, can’t
tell from your post), it’s time to get your iron checked. That’s
often a sign of iron deficiency. And you’re very right. Plateaus do
happen
Pam in Nicevile

_____

Hi Melissa,
My name is Loriann and I was 445 when I started considering surgery,
415
when I had surgery in 1/28/04 and just had an appointment and at 321
pounds
on 7/15/04. I find my main problem is my mind wants to eat more
than my
body can. As for snacking my doctor has told me not to but what I
usually
do is have an extra protein drink or if it is a sweet issue I will
have a
small sugar free pudding. Sometimes my mouth just wants something
to chew
so I use sugarfree gum and since I am suppose to take 4 chewable
vitamin
supplements in the morning I usually put all 4 in my pocket and when
I need
something I chew on one of them thoughout the day and I am fine and
not
needing to snack.

My biggest issue is I love to drink water, juice, anything but
liquor, so
most of the time I have a nice glass of Crystal light on lots of ice
and
then chew on the ice. I hit an period where I lost hardly anything
for about
two weeks and I was exercising 4 days a week. That stopped and I
have heard
from others they hit the same kind of things too. As my doctor
pointed out,
I have lost 120 lbs since I started the process and I should be
proud and
keep up the good work. I have increased my exercise to 6 days a
week and
actually feel I am missing something when I can not exercise. There
is more
to life now than food! Pat yourself on the back and obviously the
surgery
IS working for you. Good Job.
Loriann

Hey, Melissa, what great weight-loss. You’re doing super! Your
feelings are perfectly normal. I think most of us realize that we
can screw this up by grazing (or with certain mechanical failures -
which we can’t control, but will still feel like we’re responsible!)
or too much sugar.

If you have to snack, I’d do it with a high protein item, like an
additional protein shake (made with water, not milk) or I’d do it on
something like nuked pepperoni chips, or a slice of cheese rolled in
a piece of deli meat. If you’re doing exercise 6 days a week at the
gym you may be needing more protein, and we certainly can’t eat
enough after the surgery!

Let me know if you want the nuked pepperoni chip recipe .
Pam in Niceville

_____

Okay, so I am 4 months post surgery and I have lost 83lbs so far!
The only problem that I am really running into is that I’m wanting
to
snack or munch at certain times during the day. Does anyone have
any
advice for getting over it or something I should do? I really want
to make this work and so far I have been doing a good job. I
exercise 6 days a week at my local gym and I’ve been following my
nurse’s advice on eating as closely as possible. I was hoping that
someone could let me know what really kept them going, how did you
tackle the emotional eating? I don’t have anyone I know who has
been
through this, and while my family and friends are incredibly
supportive, its hard not to have someone who knows exactly what I’m
going through.

I also have to ask…is there anyone who went through this and was
really worried that it wasn’t going to work for them? I am so
scared
that I’ll be one of the few that it doesn’t work for. Am I alone in

those feelings, or are they common to have?

Any helpful hints or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Melissa

448lbs. (3/12/04)
365lbs. (6/22/04)

_____

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:34:40 +0000

Loriann, get both your iron and your ferritin checked. Ferritin is
your "iron stores" (It’s actually a protein that holds the iron
before it goes into the blood cells.) Your iron may be normal, but
if your ferritin is tanking, then you need to up your
supplementation or consider a trip to a hematologist for injections
or infusions. We no longer absorb iron in the usual way, and
particularly if we have periods or have had surgery. My ferritin has
really dropped since my plastic surgery. My PCP isn’t worried, but I
know enough to know from others who have had this surgery, that once
you get fully anemic, it’s really hard to get your iron levels back
up. So, I upped my iron dose to 250mgs a day. Will get tested again
in a bit.

Once you get your bloodwork done, be sure to get a copy of your labs
and keep them in a spreadsheet, so that you can track them over

time. The doc will just look (usually) to see if you fall in the
"normal" range. But if, over time, your numbers show a downward
trend, it’s good to know so that you can supplement to get it back.

Pam in Niceville

_____

Oh I didn’t know that. Actually I just got some papers from the
doctor
requesting blood work so I will make sure I get that done right
away.
Thanks for the advise!

_____

Let me know if you want the nuked pepperoni chip recipe .
Pam in Niceville

_____

those feelings, or are they common to have?

Any helpful hints or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Melissa

448lbs. (3/12/04)
365lbs. (6/22/04)

_____

By: Osvaldo Tuyet

Osvaldo Tuyet — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 09:19:53 +0000

Oh I didn’t know that. Actually I just got some papers from the doctor
requesting blood work so I will make sure I get that done right away.
Thanks for the advise!

_____

Hi Melissa,
My name is Loriann and I was 445 when I started considering surgery,
415

when I had surgery in 1/28/04 and just had an appointment and at 321
pounds
on 7/15/04. I find my main problem is my mind wants to eat more
than my
body can. As for snacking my doctor has told me not to but what I
usually
do is have an extra protein drink or if it is a sweet issue I will
have a
small sugar free pudding. Sometimes my mouth just wants something
to chew
so I use sugarfree gum and since I am suppose to take 4 chewable
vitamin
supplements in the morning I usually put all 4 in my pocket and when
I need
something I chew on one of them thoughout the day and I am fine and
not
needing to snack.

Let me know if you want the nuked pepperoni chip recipe .
Pam in Niceville

_____

those feelings, or are they common to have?

Any helpful hints or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Melissa

448lbs. (3/12/04)
365lbs. (6/22/04)

_____

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:53:05 +0000

_____

Hi Melissa,
My name is Loriann and I was 445 when I started considering surgery,
415
when I had surgery in 1/28/04 and just had an appointment and at 321
pounds
on 7/15/04. I find my main problem is my mind wants to eat more
than my

body can. As for snacking my doctor has told me not to but what I
usually
do is have an extra protein drink or if it is a sweet issue I will
have a
small sugar free pudding. Sometimes my mouth just wants something
to chew
so I use sugarfree gum and since I am suppose to take 4 chewable
vitamin
supplements in the morning I usually put all 4 in my pocket and when
I need
something I chew on one of them thoughout the day and I am fine and
not
needing to snack.

Let me know if you want the nuked pepperoni chip recipe .
Pam in Niceville

_____

those feelings, or are they common to have?

Any helpful hints or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Melissa

448lbs. (3/12/04)
365lbs. (6/22/04)

_____

By: Osvaldo Tuyet

Osvaldo Tuyet — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 22:38:18 +0000

Hi Melissa,
My name is Loriann and I was 445 when I started considering surgery, 415
when I had surgery in 1/28/04 and just had an appointment and at 321 pounds
on 7/15/04. I find my main problem is my mind wants to eat more than my
body can. As for snacking my doctor has told me not to but what I usually
do is have an extra protein drink or if it is a sweet issue I will have a
small sugar free pudding. Sometimes my mouth just wants something to chew
so I use sugarfree gum and since I am suppose to take 4 chewable vitamin
supplements in the morning I usually put all 4 in my pocket and when I need
something I chew on one of them thoughout the day and I am fine and not
needing to snack.

My biggest issue is I love to drink water, juice, anything but liquor, so
most of the time I have a nice glass of Crystal light on lots of ice and
then chew on the ice. I hit an period where I lost hardly anything for about

two weeks and I was exercising 4 days a week. That stopped and I have heard
from others they hit the same kind of things too. As my doctor pointed out,
I have lost 120 lbs since I started the process and I should be proud and
keep up the good work. I have increased my exercise to 6 days a week and
actually feel I am missing something when I can not exercise. There is more
to life now than food! Pat yourself on the back and obviously the surgery
IS working for you. Good Job.
Loriann

Let me know if you want the nuked pepperoni chip recipe .
Pam in Niceville

_____

those feelings, or are they common to have?

Any helpful hints or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Melissa

448lbs. (3/12/04)
365lbs. (6/22/04)

_____

By: Annmarie Franco

Annmarie Franco — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:25:21 +0000

Hello, I had my surgery last november 27th I have lost
over 100 lbs. I had the same problem and worry, but it
is normal. maybe you are truly hungry? I don’t know.
All I know is it went away, and I am fine now. I
worried the same as you, but it all evens out. I
thought i was eating alot in the begining and it
scared me. I thought the surgery didn’t work for me.
But it did, I don’t use food the way I did before, it
is so different and it will be different for you too.
Your body is going through alot of changes, and so are
you. don’t worry, just try to eat every 4 hrs so that
you don’t get hungry and drink your protien and you
will be fine. talk to ya later, good luck and
happiness to you!!!! Betty