jj7481

I'm a Physician Assistant. Let me try to clarify some information you see:
HGB = Hemoglobin. This is the Protein on red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissue, and CO2 back from tissue to lungs.
HCT = Hematocrit. This is the % of red blood cells in your blood (the rest being composed of white blood cells and plasma).
Low levels of HGB is anemia. From there we look at MCV on your labs which stands for Mean Corpusular Volume (the average volume of red blood cells). If a level is < 80, as in your case, it means you have what's termed microcytic anemia. Primary culprit = Iron Deficiency.
Biggest bit of advice I can give you is to be your own advocate. If you doctors aren't talking.....demand they do. You have the right to request your various doctors be on the same page for congruency of care. Regardless, keep in touch with them and if you aren't satisfied.....make that known.

@@MiteyMom,
If you have selected a reputable surgeon and surgical center....trust in them. TALK to them and convey your concerns. Remember, you need to be your own advocate. That includes your opinions and having a say in what happens to your body. However, let your surgeon explain why he thinks the specific surgery is right for you.

Personally I have no experience with this other than having an interesting discussion about the many benefits of WLS with my surgeon. He actually discussed (in his opinion) how beneficial WLS can be for women who would otherwise have pregnancy complicated by being obese.
He mentioned to me that pregnancy after gastric bypass can be rather safe and healthy especially when managed with your various doctors. He also stated that the latest research shows improved health of mother and baby compared to women who conceive while overweight.

Greatest reply I've seen in a long time (pun intended)

There is a list that surgeons/providers go by for post op BS patients. It can be found on of 7-8 of this document:
https://asmbs.org/wp/uploads/2014/05/nutritional-guidelines.pdf
To simplify things I stick to a multivitamin that has ALL of these requirements without having to buy several individual supplements. Look into optisource Complete MV. Manufactured by Nestle and utilizes the above recommendation to supply ALL necessary post bariatric nutrients.

As little as possible. I took my charger for iPhone/iPad, clean pair of undies, and socks.

Your surgical team including your nutritionist can better explain their specifics as no two centers are exactly alike. My 3 month pre-op process was a 13wk fitness program requiring me to work out at least 30 mins 3x wkly. I also had to meet with my nutritionist 4x over that course. My plan didn't require a specific diet other than to learning to cut out bad carbs and processed sugars. I also wasn't required to lose a specific amount of weight pre-op.

Your surgical team including your nutritionist can better explain their specifics as no two centers are exactly alike. My 3 month pre-op process was a 13wk fitness program requiring me to work out at least 30 mins 3x wkly. I also had to meet with my nutritionist 4x over that course. My plan didn't require a specific diet other than to learning to cut out bad carbs and processed sugars. I also wasn't required to lose a specific amount of weight pre-op.

This is the key especially the patience part. I'll admit patience was not a virtue bestowed upon me and I'm having to teach myself to slow down on a daily basis.

Dark red kidney Beans well cooked with cheese and seasoned with Tony Chachere's seasoning was always a favorite of mine.

Pack very little primarily so things don't go/have the chance of going missing at the hospital. My stay was overnight so I brought my iPad (essential), new underwear, socks, and phone/iPad chargers.

I wasn't given a number by my nutritionist. Mine focused on getting Protein and Water first while staying in the portion size for the various stage I was in.
In stage 4 I finally asked and her recommendation was no more than 20g of carbs per meal. This may sound like a lot but not all carbs are created alike. I also stick with getting my Protein and Water in first while eating no more than 1-1.25cups per serving.

I wasn't given a number by my nutritionist. Mine focused on getting Protein and Water first while staying in the portion size for the various stage I was in.
In stage 4 I finally asked and her recommendation was no more than 20g of carbs per meal. This may sound like a lot but not all carbs are created alike. I also stick with getting my Protein and Water in first while eating no more than 1-1.25cups per serving.

I'm a grouchy kind of fellow. I honestly believe that half of the reason for that is I just cannot keep regular. I eat well, a fair amount of Fiber and supplement with Benefiber; but honestly only 1 in 5 BM's are the type that are satisfying. You know the type, where you leave the stall with a smirk and know that you have bested the commode instead shaking your head saying that next time will be different.
Lately, my relationship with the john has been one of menace. I step into the stall and immediately cop an attitude with the shitter:
But more often than not, I leave like this:

You know, head hung low in shame.
I'm happy to report that today, I have bested that porcelain SOB. Now I can't wait to go to the gym and weigh in for the week!

Pack very little primarily so things don't go/have the chance of going missing at the hospital. My stay was overnight so I brought my iPad (essential), new underwear, socks, and phone/iPad chargers.

@@becomingmandikaye - what you asked has been what has happened at my house. We are eating less potato chips, juice, bread, rice etc (carbs). It has been replaced by more veggies (yum) and Protein filled items.
Hubby likes to eat out a lot and that is now 1 meal that he eats most of and I get an ala carte item to eat or some of his food.
Ex: Longhorn - red rock shrimp and steak. He orders no rice and substitutes broccoli. I get a skewer of shrimp he gets one and we split the broccoli.

I just stayed over night.
I took (and used):
An extra pair of undies to wear home. I just wore home the clothes I wore to the hospital.
Lip balm
My cpap.
My phone and charger.
Heating pad. (I actually forgot mine so my sister got me one at a nearby drug store. It helped with the gas pain in my shoulder, plus I was freezing.)
The hospital supplied toiletries, no slip socks, etc.
The best thing I took was my mom. She went with me and stayed the whole time.

Breakfast doesn't have to mean breakfast food. What about Soup? I love Soup at breakfast. Preop I sometimes had a salad with an egg on it and a vinaigrette.
A cheese stick might work for you - with a slice of deli meat wrapped around it?
I agree that trying different way of cooking eggs may work for you. One of my first real foods postop was a soft-boiled egg, and I swear to you, it was a little bit of heaven. My sleeve isn't in favor of the idea of scrambled, though.
This past weekend, I poached an egg in about 1/4 cup of Tomato sauce (Pasta sauce). It was amazing!

Why can't you? Phone calls and emails are typically free. You can at least try and see what they recommend (short of coming into the office to be seen). Your surgical team knows best what you can do with your sleeve to help overcome the bug.

My surgery date was 3 1/2 mos ago. Down almost 70 lbs. Definitely glad I decided on the RNY.

This is the key especially the patience part. I'll admit patience was not a virtue bestowed upon me and I'm having to teach myself to slow down on a daily basis.

This is the key especially the patience part. I'll admit patience was not a virtue bestowed upon me and I'm having to teach myself to slow down on a daily basis.

Your surgical team including your nutritionist can better explain their specifics as no two centers are exactly alike. My 3 month pre-op process was a 13wk fitness program requiring me to work out at least 30 mins 3x wkly. I also had to meet with my nutritionist 4x over that course. My plan didn't require a specific diet other than to learning to cut out bad carbs and processed sugars. I also wasn't required to lose a specific amount of weight pre-op.

This is the key especially the patience part. I'll admit patience was not a virtue bestowed upon me and I'm having to teach myself to slow down on a daily basis.

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