Re: Re: Borderline Anemic..why labs?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Even when I have not had a GP I asked my GYN to request the labs. I just

took my sheet to the lab and we checked off the requirements. I have been

sort of self managing since 6 weeks post WLS (Now at 2 3/4 years.)

The Iron levels have been declining from the start, the B12 slowing declined

(despite daily sublingual), but unfortunately, the protein went too low as of

September. September was officially anemic (new baby, too). December labs

looked a little better and will probably some more done this month.

Most importantly, my GYN has really urged me to get a new GP who understands

WLS and so have been referred to what I hear is a great practice in Buffalo,

NY.

I think with the dramatic increase in WLS we are still learning and better

yet, learning better follow-up.

As for the new be and wanna be WLS lurkers here; this is a serious surgery

and there is follow up and after care required. Even if to CONFIRM that

there is nothing out of order.

My 2 cents for the day.

In a message dated 3/15/03 1:06:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, watnext@...

writes:

> PLEASE do it every year...at the very least.

>

J.J.

Medial Lap RNY

May 10, 2000

Tricare, Navy Dr. Spencer

300/179/160

Nursing Baby Girl C-Section 9/12/02

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Even when I have not had a GP I asked my GYN to request the labs. I just

took my sheet to the lab and we checked off the requirements. I have been

sort of self managing since 6 weeks post WLS (Now at 2 3/4 years.)

The Iron levels have been declining from the start, the B12 slowing declined

(despite daily sublingual), but unfortunately, the protein went too low as of

September. September was officially anemic (new baby, too). December labs

looked a little better and will probably some more done this month.

Most importantly, my GYN has really urged me to get a new GP who understands

WLS and so have been referred to what I hear is a great practice in Buffalo,

NY.

I think with the dramatic increase in WLS we are still learning and better

yet, learning better follow-up.

As for the new be and wanna be WLS lurkers here; this is a serious surgery

and there is follow up and after care required. Even if to CONFIRM that

there is nothing out of order.

My 2 cents for the day.

In a message dated 3/15/03 1:06:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, watnext@...

writes:

> PLEASE do it every year...at the very least.

>

J.J.

Medial Lap RNY

May 10, 2000

Tricare, Navy Dr. Spencer

300/179/160

Nursing Baby Girl C-Section 9/12/02

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/15/2003 9:02:23 AM Pacific Standard Time,

vickiang@... writes:

> I've never had labs run. I feel fin 2 1/2 yrs later. Is there some

> indication that caused your Dr. To order these?

>

Many deficiencies can take months or years to have a health effect, which can

then be difficult to arrest. Since I know I am a distal procedure, and was

aware I might have absorption difficulties, I prefer to know ahead of time

what my levels are and work to keep them where they should be.

Kate

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/15/2003 9:02:23 AM Pacific Standard Time,

vickiang@... writes:

> I've never had labs run. I feel fin 2 1/2 yrs later. Is there some

> indication that caused your Dr. To order these?

>

Many deficiencies can take months or years to have a health effect, which can

then be difficult to arrest. Since I know I am a distal procedure, and was

aware I might have absorption difficulties, I prefer to know ahead of time

what my levels are and work to keep them where they should be.

Kate

[Guest guest]

I would assume your annual physical exam includes blood tests.

Different people, for whatever reason, develop different absorption

capabilities. The lab tests are just to make sure that the patient is

absorbing adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein. As one

ages, the body becomes less efficient at nutrient absorption. Regular

lab work will help monitor whether the body has become less efficient

and needs additional amounts of particular nutrients.

The difference between a proximal and distal is the length of the

resulting common channel. The common channel is the part of the

intestine where nutrients mix with digestive juices. The shorter the

common channel, i.e., the distal, the less potential for absorption. If

you had a distal procedure, you are likely to need a higher level of

vitamin, mineral and protein supplementation because of your higher

level of malabsorption. For example, a proximal patient might need

calcium supplementation of 1200 mg a day, but a distal patient would

need 1800 mg a day to achieve the same level of absorption.

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

vickiang wrote:

>

> I've never had labs run. I feel fin 2 1/2 yrs later. Is there some

> indication that caused your Dr. To order these?

>

> I also don't know if I'm distal or proximal and still haven't figured

> out what that is or why it would matter to me.

>

> Any input?

>

> Hmmm...I guess if it not broke, don't fix it.

>

> Vicki A.

>

> P.s. I pass my annual with my regular Dr. each year with flying

> colors.

>

>

> > Hi,

> > Just a note, every one of my doctors has said my iron and b12 was

> okay, right

> > until it hit the floor... at the hospital --- the Dr. on staff

> raised a flag

> > and really upped my irons and started b12 shots.

> > Do your own research and verify your levels and compare them over

> time with

> > previous levels for trends.

> > How far out are you?

> > What was your surgery?

> > Always keep copies of your labs!

> > JJ.

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 3/14/03 5:42:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > tuesdynite@a... writes:

> >

> >

> > > But I am. I asked how were the numbers on iron, ferritin, and

> protein and

> > > she

> > > said all are okay. I forgot to ask about B12, but assumed if it

> were not

> > > normal, they would have mentioned. I will have actual copy of the

> results,

> > > with all the numbers, on Monday.

> >

> >

> > J.J.

> > Medial Lap RNY

> > May 10, 2000

> > Tricare, Navy Dr. Spencer

> > 300/179/160

> > Nursing Baby Girl C-Section 9/12/02

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I would assume your annual physical exam includes blood tests.

Different people, for whatever reason, develop different absorption

capabilities. The lab tests are just to make sure that the patient is

absorbing adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein. As one

ages, the body becomes less efficient at nutrient absorption. Regular

lab work will help monitor whether the body has become less efficient

and needs additional amounts of particular nutrients.

The difference between a proximal and distal is the length of the

resulting common channel. The common channel is the part of the

intestine where nutrients mix with digestive juices. The shorter the

common channel, i.e., the distal, the less potential for absorption. If

you had a distal procedure, you are likely to need a higher level of

vitamin, mineral and protein supplementation because of your higher

level of malabsorption. For example, a proximal patient might need

calcium supplementation of 1200 mg a day, but a distal patient would

need 1800 mg a day to achieve the same level of absorption.

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

vickiang wrote:

>

> I've never had labs run. I feel fin 2 1/2 yrs later. Is there some

> indication that caused your Dr. To order these?

>

> I also don't know if I'm distal or proximal and still haven't figured

> out what that is or why it would matter to me.

>

> Any input?

>

> Hmmm...I guess if it not broke, don't fix it.

>

> Vicki A.

>

> P.s. I pass my annual with my regular Dr. each year with flying

> colors.

>

>

> > Hi,

> > Just a note, every one of my doctors has said my iron and b12 was

> okay, right

> > until it hit the floor... at the hospital --- the Dr. on staff

> raised a flag

> > and really upped my irons and started b12 shots.

> > Do your own research and verify your levels and compare them over

> time with

> > previous levels for trends.

> > How far out are you?

> > What was your surgery?

> > Always keep copies of your labs!

> > JJ.

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 3/14/03 5:42:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > tuesdynite@a... writes:

> >

> >

> > > But I am. I asked how were the numbers on iron, ferritin, and

> protein and

> > > she

> > > said all are okay. I forgot to ask about B12, but assumed if it

> were not

> > > normal, they would have mentioned. I will have actual copy of the

> results,

> > > with all the numbers, on Monday.

> >

> >

> > J.J.

> > Medial Lap RNY

> > May 10, 2000

> > Tricare, Navy Dr. Spencer

> > 300/179/160

> > Nursing Baby Girl C-Section 9/12/02

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

<<I've never heard of a surgeon

who does a bypass not requiring this.>>

Look right here. My surgeon (now retired) never mentioned them. And, until 2

years ago, I never had them done. My dear PCP, as much as he irritates the

hell out of me, does them on a regular basis now. He found my anemia

(brief), while testing for some other things, and now, he checks my labs on

at least a 6-month interval. In my experience over the years, (and I've been

on BC/BS, PacifiCare, Prucare, etc...) HMOs do not do anything you don't

DEMAND that they do. Just try to make your own appointment with an ob/gyn

for an annual, much less anything else...if your PCP doesn't request it, you

don't get it.

Jac

mailto:jholdaway@...

before and after pictures at:

http://hometown.aol.com/jrandjrholdaway

http://www.pictureitdigitaldesigns.com/

http://members.cox.net/xxxfarmpaints

[Guest guest]

<<I've never heard of a surgeon

who does a bypass not requiring this.>>

Look right here. My surgeon (now retired) never mentioned them. And, until 2

years ago, I never had them done. My dear PCP, as much as he irritates the

hell out of me, does them on a regular basis now. He found my anemia

(brief), while testing for some other things, and now, he checks my labs on

at least a 6-month interval. In my experience over the years, (and I've been

on BC/BS, PacifiCare, Prucare, etc...) HMOs do not do anything you don't

DEMAND that they do. Just try to make your own appointment with an ob/gyn

for an annual, much less anything else...if your PCP doesn't request it, you

don't get it.

Jac

mailto:jholdaway@...

before and after pictures at:

http://hometown.aol.com/jrandjrholdaway

http://www.pictureitdigitaldesigns.com/

http://members.cox.net/xxxfarmpaints