I'm just curious how often people REaLLY get their blood work/vitamin/mineral/etc testing done. I read somewhere it's supposed to get done every 6 months for the rest of our lives but I find that hard to believe that most people follow that.

I'm not judging if you don't because honestly, I doubt I will either after a while due to cost, good consistent bw results, etc.but will probably do it once a year after a few initial times of good bw. I'm only four months out now and my 3 month bw was all great. I'm not quite sure when to get it done again though. Our bariatric Dr (er, former since we fired him) wouldn't do bw until 6 months post op so I had our family Dr run it all at 3 months. Should I get it done again at 6 mos post op or wait 6 months? Our family doctor doesn't know either but he'll do whatever/whenever we want it done.

I'm VSG, not bypass, but my surgeon advised 3 month, 6 month and then annual. More often if you are having any issues or abnormalities. I did the 3 month and 6 month and my 1 year is coming up. CBC, full chemistry panel, Vitamin D, B12, calcium, folate, and iron panel cost under $150. If yours is pricier, try and see if there is an "express lab" in your area. Your dr can just write a prescription for the appropriate bloodwork, you walk in, get your blood pulled and wala....results within 2 days. I have to drive 70 miles to the closest express lab but it sure beats the $400+ the local hospital wants to charge for the same labs. At this price, I definitely plan on doing it every year. I have a friend who had bypass 8 years ago and she doesn't followup with any of her bloodwork and doesn't take her vitamins. She feels like crap and ends up in the hospital 1-2 times a year with some severe deficiency that could have been detected long before it became an emergency. Drives me crazy!

Edited November 9, 201411 yr by Kindle

3 months out your blood work is usually fine because your body still uses your reserves, but they will eventually get empty. I just had my 6 months check up and I have low iron level - I was expecting this, now have to take extra supplement. I would go for the 6 month blood work, then 12 month and if that's all good then once a year...

K. Thank you Green :-)

Kindle - wouldn't insurance pay for the labs if written by your PCP?

Yes, but I have a $5000 deductible (thanks to the "affordable" care act ???? )The lab costs count towards my deductible, but it's all OOP until I hit 5 grand

I started a different topic somewhat similar to this a few weeks ago asking how often everyone does a follow up with the surgery office, if they are really necessary, or if I can just switch to my PCP. I paid out of pocket for surgery and my insurance will not cover follow up visits with the surgeon, Each visit will could be cost as much as $500-$600 including blood work. I've had the 3 month with the blood test but am questioning if I need to continue with the surgeon.

I will continue to have all of the blood work done but with my PCP.

I had RNY done but I need tests done every 3 months to keep check on my liver kidneys etc due to being diabetic.

My PCM checks me about every 3 to 4 months .... I call the lab techs "vamps" -- they laugh, and take over 10 vials from me.

It's just best to get checked when your doc says to because they are trying to care for you.

My clinic recommends every three months for the first year, then at 18 months and two years. After that it is once a year. I just had mine done for my 18 months check at it showed I was deficient in vitamin B1 so I think it is important to have it checked.

I plan on getting them done once a year for the rest of my life.

Keeping on top of your blood work as time goes by is important because it's easy to slide down hill and not really notice it. I'm in Ontario, which means it's government prescribed, so mine got done at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months by the bariatric clinic, and as necessary by the various doctors I see for other issues. Up until 24 months I was actually doing ok, but then my Iron just bottomed out in six months. I'm taking an extra 300mg of iron daily now, which is probably toxic to a normal person, but it's barely making a dent in my continued downward spiral. It's got to the point where my body is leaching iron from my brain and it's causing cognitive problems, dizziness, exhaustion, nausea, the whole bit. I can't work full time anymore, and when I am at work I'm a zombie. The point is that it happened fast and the doctors thought everything was fine until my labs came back and there was a sudden "oh crap" two and a half years after my surgery when my iron level is in the single digits.

Ditching your labs, even for financial reasons is a bad idea. They should be done at least once a year. Every six months is better. At the very least, get your iron and Calcium levels done because they're hard to fix. It can take months to bring your iron level back up to normal without going the IV injection route. I'm waiting for my turn at that right now (there's a shortage in Ontario of the supplement) but I hear it can be most unpleasant due to allergic reactions.

I get mine done every 3 months I have iron deficiency and vitamin D as well so I am very punctual when it comes to getting it done

I have it done whenever my primary care Dr. or my weight loss group advises it. Usually not more than every 6 months