Just a reminder of how important it is to ALWAYS take your supplements AND follow through with bloodwork every year, no matter how far out you are.

From a 2013 "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases" journal about long term VSG results.....

"Over 5 years of follow-up, 77.9% of patients developed Vitamin D deficiency, 41.2% had Iron deficiency, 39.7% had zinc deficiency, 39.7% had a vitamin B12 deficiency, 25% had a folic acid deficiency, and 10.3% developed anemia.

These deficiencies occurred despite routine supplementation, in a higher rate than we had expected"

Another study performed years ago (that I found before I decided to have surgery, but can't seem to locate at this time) showed that up to 90% of gastrectomy patients developed deficiencies within 10-20 years. That study showed the same specific nutrients were involved as well as Calcium for women.

Edited December 27, 201510 yr by Kindle

Thanks for sharing. It's so important to keep to the plan no matter how far you are out.

I agree. Take your vitamins and supplements as instructed (especially following the recommended schedule). Getting regular blood work is something that is fairly easy to do immediately post-op that we may get slack on the farther out after surgery we are.

Nice reminder. One that should be posted at the start of each year as we go about planning our other preventative care visits.

I'm experiencing low levels of Iron despite adequate supplementation and continually eating foods high in iron. According to my PCP, it is an effect of my screwed up hormones. My hormones have been wacky since surgery and it is also effecting my red and white blood cell count. It still is not clear to me why this is occurring, but it has never occurred before surgery. I feel quite tired throughout most of the day.

I did skip my one year follow up because my PCP seemed like an adequate replacement. However, I have finally realized that a second opinion would be important. My bariatric center does NOT let patients visit with the surgeon, period. I can't even e-mail the guy. So, I am going to try out the new bariatrician. This is the third new guy they have hired since my surgery. I am hoping he has a better opinion of what is going on.