Hello all,

I had gastric bypass in November. I had this done not for weight loss but to prevent my Barrett’s esophagus from turning into cancer. Before surgery I had really severe GERD. After 3 months I’m still pale and weak. I take all the vitamins I was prescribed while also eating my protein and taking in the water I’m supposed to. I was curious if anyone else has had this issue afterwards?

Have you had any blood work done? We had to have ours tested every once in a while to make sure our levels were okay. I had a sleeve but I had some issues with iron deficiency in the beginning. Doc had me take an additional iron supplement until I was able to get enough from foods.

I had labs done about a month ago and my results were abnormal and some things were below normal. My Dr. has me on fusion plus, vitamin D, monthly B12 shots, and multivitamin. I have an appointment with him later this month. Just concerned since I still look pale and don’t have strength and endurance.

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, fluid and vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. It sounds like you are meeting those requirements.

An iron deficiency will cause extreme fatigue and weakness. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034 A couple years after surgery, the results of my blood test showed that I had an iron deficiency and I was directed to add an iron tablet to my pile of vitamins that I take each day.

It is important to put a 2 hour separation between the vitamins that contain iron and those that contain calcium. So in my case I found that what works best for me is to take the iron supplements just before bedtime. I put my vitamins in a weekly pill container. I have one container for the morning and one for the night. And I use a very small glass bowl for my calcium supplements. I put my calciums in the bowl in the morning and take them throughout the day. If I am up and about I put my calciums in a ziplock bag and carry them with me.

I was told that if you are taking iron supplements, it must be ferrous sulfate for the best absorption.

A year later, the blood work told them that I was taking too much iron, so I cut back by using multivitamin with iron.

Since you said that you were taking Fusion Plus, I looked it up. It said "The future of Iron Therapy If you are looking for the best in iron therapy". So your problem may not be a lack of iron. I didn't see where you said that you were taking calcium supplements??? An electrolyte imbalance (lack of certain minerals) can cause fatigue. Symptoms of muscle weakness and/or muscle cramps, fatigue, or lack of energy may indicate low levels of potassium. ... Low sodium levels can cause symptoms that are similar to potassium deficiency such as dizziness, fatigue, lack of energy, muscle weakness and/or muscle cramps. So maybe you might try something like Poweraid Zero. "POWERADE ZERO is the great-tasting electrolyte-enhanced sports drink with zero calories. Formulated with the ION4 Advanced Electrolyte System, POWERADEZERO helps replenish four key electrolytes lost in sweat: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium." This might help and is a quick test to see if this is the problem area.

Thank you for the guidance.

I have been trying to get my calcium form lactose free milk due to trying to not swallow more pills that upset my stomach and figured out that l’m lactose intolerant. willing to try the calcium supplements. I drink a sugar free powaid or Gatorade 2 or 3 times a week don’t want to overdo it. I also take a magnesium and potassium supplement on top of the prescribed substance. I’m also having a hard time at work since I’m a mechanic and I keep trying to do what I did before surgery and it involves heavy lifting and mental agility. Again I didn’t have this surgery to loose weight I did it to prevent cancer since I had Barrett’s esophagus at 33. Everything I researched was about folks loosing weight that I didn’t have to loose I was 210lbs the day of surgery.

Hello all,
I had gastric bypass in November. I had this done not for weight loss but to prevent my Barrett’s esophagus from turning into cancer. Before surgery I had really severe GERD. After 3 months I’m still pale and weak. I take all the Vitamins I was prescribed while also eating my Protein and taking in the Water I’m supposed to. I was curious if anyone else has had this issue afterwards?

I was pale and weak until I got referred to a Hematolgoist and got an iron transfusion. Have you had your iron levels checked ?