Hi all, posted at the beginning that I had bloods 2 months prior to surgery, but no-one did pre-surgery baseline bloods. Now, 6 weeks post sleeve with orders not to take vitamins until after this consult I drive 60 miles to see my surgeon, let him know I'm knackered, I have joint pain more than before, skin is so dry it cracks, open weeping in skin folds, mucous membranes so dry I'm getting lots of spontaneous nose bleeds, lips are almost blue and he says "But everything else fine?" "Good! Glad to hear you're feeling restriction and eating a good range of food" (yeah, about 1 veg/fruit a day after protein). "Come back in 3 months and we'll check bloods at a year" Seems that is down to bloods budget in my self pay package. Did query. He seemed annoyed and bored in equal measure.

Am I being stupid? Is it irrational to want to get ahead of problems? Is testing now a waste of time cos nothing worth worrying about can have happened since November.

So you’re 6 weeks out and he hasn’t allowed you to take them at all??

No you aren't being stupid. Sadly it sounds like your surgeon doesn't want to address your issues and actually treat you. Go to your primary care physician for a wellness check and see if they can address your health concerns.

So you’re 6 weeks out and he hasn’t allowed you to take them at all??

Yep. "It's not my practice to do so as you will have plenty of reserves from prior to surgery and it may stress your sleeve". But not so bothered about that. Bothered that there's been no checks to ensure I'm not dealing with pre-existing or emerging issues I can't fix fast on such a minimal diet.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery whereas you had sleeve. In general, The three most important elements after weight loss 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.

For RNY gastric bypass patients, vitamins are critical because our bodies will no longer synthesize these from food. Sleeve patients do not have this problem and their vitamin load is substantially less. For 5 years after surgery, at the end of each year I underwent extensive blood testing. This allowed the doctor to fine tweak my vitamin regiment. I am unsure why you expected blood testing at 6 weeks post-op.

You are displaying some symptoms, "I have joint pain more than before, skin is so dry it cracks, open weeping in skin folds, mucous membranes so dry I'm getting lots of spontaneous nose bleeds, lips are almost blue". So you might want to focus attention on these individual concerns and seek resolution.

The most critical elements are meeting your protein, fluid and vitamin daily requirements combined with exercise. So if I read your thread right, you are now taking vitamins because you had your first consult. Fluids are also critical and can account for skin dryness problems.

When you lose significant weight, you are left with excess skin. Nowhere is this visible more than on your face. I developed very fine wrinkles; almost paper thin crinkles, all over my face. I looked like I was a hundred years old. Granted I am old but not that old. My wife suggested I use a product called Bio-Oil available in the drug stores. It solved that problem for me. I apply it once in the morning and I am good to go for the rest of the day.

The weather can also have an effect on your skin. Depending on where you live, winter can produce very dry condition and can contribute to excessive skin cracking and bleeding.

I don't know about the weird vitamin restriction... I was started on them a month before surgery and continued the same day as surgery forward. But I didn't have my labs checked until the 3 month mark.

On ‎3‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 4:38 AM, BrighterSide said:

Hi all, posted at the beginning that I had bloods 2 months prior to surgery, but no-one did pre-surgery baseline bloods. Now, 6 weeks post sleeve with orders not to take Vitamins until after this consult I drive 60 miles to see my surgeon, let him know I'm knackered, I have joint pain more than before, skin is so dry it cracks, open weeping in skin folds, mucous membranes so dry I'm getting lots of spontaneous nose bleeds, lips are almost blue and he says "But everything else fine?" "Good! Glad to hear you're feeling restriction and eating a good range of food" (yeah, about 1 veg/fruit a day after protein). "Come back in 3 months and we'll check bloods at a year" Seems that is down to bloods budget in my self pay package. Did query. He seemed annoyed and bored in equal measure.

Am I being stupid? Is it irrational to want to get ahead of problems? Is testing now a waste of time cos nothing worth worrying about can have happened since November.

get with your GP to get bloods drawn!

22 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

I don't know about the weird Vitamin restriction... I was started on them a month before surgery and continued the same day as surgery forward. But I didn't have my labs checked until the 3 month mark.

I had pre-op labs, 3 mos and will have 6 mos as well. then yearly after that.

Not imagining it being very different then. Thanks folk.

I'm less fretful that I would otherwise be as I just had quite a chunky panel of bloods done by my PCP specifically to look at potential hormone probs. @averysmum knows the story there :-). Tis with a view to referal to gynae/menopause specialist. Will at least help me rule out one set of potential issues including anaemia. Thereafter will work out what to do for the best.