Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 I'm " only " four years postop and have iron deficient anemia. I can tell when my ferritin is bottoming out because I tend to go for pumpkin seeds. The need for salt is my trigger or sign. For others it's frequently ice! I have been getting iron infusions every 6 - 9 months for the past 3 years. For me, they work! Again, I can't and don't absorb any iron from food or pills. Generally RNY is not considered a malabsorptive surgery (unless like you are very, very distal!) There is a degree of malabsorption (I suppose having to do with our surgeon's preference at the time!) I don't understand Bob, how you can say that you malabsorb, but yet get benefits from iron pills. If you malabsorb, you malabsorb! Still I'm thinking it has to do with the amount of intestines bypassed. That's why putting the iron directly into the bloodstream works better and faster. I tend to think of it as a radiator. Unless you have a bleed somewhere, then the blood system is sealed up and the blood/iron just travels around our body, giving what it needs to give where it's needed. Sometimes we need to put some " antifreeze " in! Anyhow, I have found that iron shots work for some, but it's a slow route to go. Getting an iron infusion is painless and simple. It takes from 4-6 hours. Counts on how much iron you need. My personal experience is that 1 gram takes about 4 hours and 2 can take 6. I take a book, water, a headset radio and some protein. They put me in a very comfy recliner, hook of the IV up, start with some IV benedryl and a tylenol. After the benedryl you get a small sample of the iron. Rarely some have an allergic reaction to it. That's why the benedryl...also a doctor must be there when you receive the infusion. After that, if you are ok...the bag goes up, and usually you are off to lala land (a lovely effect from the IV benedryl) So I read and sleep the day away. Getting an iron infusion, for me....is a tradeoff for the health I have now. I'll take a truckload of pills every day, I'll go for my iron infusions, I'll make 3-5 protein supplements, I'll stand on my head and spit wooden nickels and plant potatoes in the yard (nude of course) under a full moon.....if that's what it takes for me to maintain a weight loss of 340 pounds. I don't weigh 500 pounds anymore...and I will do what it takes to stay here!! And here's a good link for more info on iron deficiency anemia. http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/1593.html Sue Open RNY 10/26/98 From 500 lbs to 161 Dr Barry L Fisher www.stomachbypass.com Truncoplasty 8/9/01 Brachioplasty Thighplasty 4/3/02 Dr Weiland www.weilandgroup.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ www.mygastricbypass.com We are all angels with one wing - we need friends to help us fly. Re: Iron Anemia? Debbie, Well, today marks my 23rd year, since I had my " open " gastric bypass surgery. I can assure you, that every day, of my post-op that I have been anemic. Iron is only digested from your food intake in the lower portion of your stomach. As an RNY patient, we no longer have the use of that vital processing in our system. We are required to depend, lifelong, on taking daily iron supplement to compensate. I have started again on taking my protein supplement shakes, each day, and can feel a gradual increase in my stamina and strength and also evidence of my iron supplement absorbtion. The red blood cells count is beginning to build back up... I have never gone through shots or infusions for this problem, nor have I ever heard of them... but don't believe they are of any benefit. All, bariatric Sourgeons state that because of the surgery's malabsorbtion problem, which is just what helps us to lose our excess weight, is also the main problem with our having anemia. So, it is going to have to be iron supplement, daily for the rest of our lives. You will gain very little benefit from the nutrional value of iron enriched foods, as you can't absorb/digest the neutrants from them...that is why the surgery is called a malabsorbtion alternative to Obesity. /// Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 Hi Sue, Well, for several years I would make up for my loss of energy, by drinking 6 - 8 regular pepsi colas each day..boy what a boost that caffeene can give you. I never was a coffee drinker.. Then, through some lab work, I was made aware of the fact that I was quite anemic and began a series of different perscriptioned oral Iron supplements. Most of them, would just get passed through without being absorbed. I have found over the years that potassium supplement along with protein supplement helps my body absorbe the iron. I have yet to see any information about the gastric bypass NOT being considered a " malabsorbtion " procedure. That is how we lose weight in addition to having a small pouch to eat into, we also can't handle sweets well. It takes the lower portion of the stomach to absorb the various minerals and vitamins from what we eat, if you don't have the lower portion of your stomach in the digestive process, you ARE malabsorbtive.... Yes, RNY is malabsorbtive. ///Bob Re: Iron Anemia? > > > Debbie, > > Well, today marks my 23rd year, since I had my " open " > gastric bypass surgery. > > I can assure you, that every day, of my post-op that I have > been anemic. Iron is only digested from your food intake in > the lower portion of your stomach. As an RNY patient, we no > longer have the use of that vital processing in our system. > We are required to depend, lifelong, on taking daily iron > supplement to compensate. I have started again on taking my > protein supplement shakes, each day, and can feel a gradual > increase in my stamina and strength and also evidence of my > iron supplement absorbtion. The red blood cells count is > beginning to build back up... > > I have never gone through shots or infusions for this > problem, nor have I ever heard of them... but don't believe > they are of any benefit. All, bariatric Sourgeons state that > because of the surgery's malabsorbtion problem, which is > just what helps us to lose our excess weight, is also the > main problem with our having anemia. So, it is going to have > to be iron supplement, daily for the rest of our lives. You > will gain very little benefit from the nutrional value of > iron enriched foods, as you can't absorb/digest the > neutrants from them...that is why the surgery is called a > malabsorbtion alternative to Obesity. > > /// Bob > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 The popular myth is that proximals are not malabsorptive, only distals are. They taught it at the conference, even. I do not concur for the reasons you said. Without a stomach (digestion vat), there is no digestion, ergo absorption is pretty hard to manage, no matter how long the common channel. The problem areas will always be AT LEAST: protein iron calcium A, D, E zinc B12 probably potassium & magnesium when the others get whacked. Thanks, http://www.vitalady.com For info on PayPal, click this link: https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com Re: Iron Anemia? > > > > > > Debbie, > > > > Well, today marks my 23rd year, since I had my " open " > > gastric bypass surgery. > > > > I can assure you, that every day, of my post-op that I > have > > been anemic. Iron is only digested from your food intake > in > > the lower portion of your stomach. As an RNY patient, we > no > > longer have the use of that vital processing in our > system. > > We are required to depend, lifelong, on taking daily iron > > supplement to compensate. I have started again on taking > my > > protein supplement shakes, each day, and can feel a > gradual > > increase in my stamina and strength and also evidence of > my > > iron supplement absorbtion. The red blood cells count is > > beginning to build back up... > > > > I have never gone through shots or infusions for this > > problem, nor have I ever heard of them... but don't > believe > > they are of any benefit. All, bariatric Sourgeons state > that > > because of the surgery's malabsorbtion problem, which is > > just what helps us to lose our excess weight, is also the > > main problem with our having anemia. So, it is going to > have > > to be iron supplement, daily for the rest of our lives. > You > > will gain very little benefit from the nutrional value of > > iron enriched foods, as you can't absorb/digest the > > neutrants from them...that is why the surgery is called a > > malabsorbtion alternative to Obesity. > > > > /// Bob > > > > > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > > > Unsubscribe: > mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 Why stop then? You've got the hang of it now! LOL! Thanks, http://www.vitalady.com For info on PayPal, click this link: https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com Re: Iron Anemia? > It seems that even short proximals lose the malabsorbtion of the > CALORIES after a year or so but as for needed vites and supps,, HAH > that's what we don't seem to start absorbing. Figures. > > For me, I have been taking all my supps since day one and have had no > problems. I know others with the exact same rny as me, 50 cm > bypassed, and stopped taking supps and guess what, they are dealing > with..... pernicious anemia (lack of b-12) iron anemia and > osteoporosis. > > Anyway, for me, I keep tabs on my labs (rhyme intended BG) and my > goal is to remain healthy for at least another 50 years. > > Hugs > > Rita in Vermont > RNy 3/31/94 463/190ish > > > > > > The popular myth is that proximals are not malabsorptive, only > distals are. > > They taught it at the conference, even. > > > > I do not concur for the reasons you said. Without a stomach > (digestion > > vat), there is no digestion, ergo absorption is pretty hard to > manage, no > > matter how long the common channel. > > > > The problem areas will always be AT LEAST: > > protein > > iron > > calcium > > A, D, E > > zinc > > B12 > > > > probably potassium & magnesium when the others get whacked. > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > http://www.vitalady.com > > > > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 I am two years out and had some other issues that contributed to iron anemia (internal bleeding). First I tried oral iron 2 - 3 times a day. It helped some but not enough. I am now getting iron transfusions every day for 10 days. Each infusions takes about 1 1/2 hours. I have only had 3 sessions but I can already start to feel some difference. Below are pointers to web sites on the stuff I am getting -- Iron Dextran. My understanding is that it can be given in shots as well in the butt but that it is a huge needle and generally causes scarring so that is not the preferred method if you need a lot of it. This web site has a dosing calculator and more information on the medication and side effects: http://www.globalrph.com/irondextran.htm This web site has information on one particular brand -- InFeD: http://www.infed.com/ -- Gigi lap Rny 7/2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 I am two years out and had some other issues that contributed to iron anemia (internal bleeding). First I tried oral iron 2 - 3 times a day. It helped some but not enough. I am now getting iron transfusions every day for 10 days. Each infusions takes about 1 1/2 hours. I have only had 3 sessions but I can already start to feel some difference. Below are pointers to web sites on the stuff I am getting -- Iron Dextran. My understanding is that it can be given in shots as well in the butt but that it is a huge needle and generally causes scarring so that is not the preferred method if you need a lot of it. This web site has a dosing calculator and more information on the medication and side effects: http://www.globalrph.com/irondextran.htm This web site has information on one particular brand -- InFeD: http://www.infed.com/ -- Gigi lap Rny 7/2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 I am two years out and had some other issues that contributed to iron anemia (internal bleeding). First I tried oral iron 2 - 3 times a day. It helped some but not enough. I am now getting iron transfusions every day for 10 days. Each infusions takes about 1 1/2 hours. I have only had 3 sessions but I can already start to feel some difference. Below are pointers to web sites on the stuff I am getting -- Iron Dextran. My understanding is that it can be given in shots as well in the butt but that it is a huge needle and generally causes scarring so that is not the preferred method if you need a lot of it. This web site has a dosing calculator and more information on the medication and side effects: http://www.globalrph.com/irondextran.htm This web site has information on one particular brand -- InFeD: http://www.infed.com/ -- Gigi lap Rny 7/2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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