I plan to retire to the Philippines in 10-15 years. Is managing the nutrient malabsorption an issue many years after surgery?

Edited February 7, 20206 yr by Tom Greeley

I think you will know in 10-15 years if your nutrition is OK. It's going to be different for everyone. I was told that I would take vitamins for the rest of my life.

you'll have to take vitamins for the rest of your life, if that's what you're asking. Malabsorption of calories stops after about two years. Malabsorption of vitamins is permanent.

I am 4 years out of an open gastrectomy partial obstruction surgery and 3 years out of the gastric bypass to repair gastroparesis from a perforated ulcer. Yes, I was overweight and the surgery helps me lose weight. But it has left me for the rest of my life with a malabsorption Disorder. So I do get iron treatments. Every 3 weeks. I do take all of my medications liquid. I do have chronic bowel obstructions.

Now I'm a female so my malabsorption issues are going to be different than yours as a male. My best advice is to Take your vitamins. Get your blood work. Have a great doctor when you retire. And keep up your protein. Live life like you've lived it the day after surgery 20 years from now.

Edited February 7, 20206 yr by Cocosmama34

Thanks for the replies everyone. I can see the decision between sleeve or bypass is going to be a tough one.

i am 10 years out from a rny i have vitamin malabsorption issues but ill take that over diabetes i have always had a iron deficiency so thats nothing new. i have heard alot of horror stories as well best of luck.

I am 12 years post op

I am doing well. though I think they do not do the mental pre-op well at all. That is what you suffer with more than anything

does anyone else agree with me??

I think you are better off with the sleeve. I think its better to lose the weight slowly. I think losing the weight so quickly is not good on a mental level. Its hard when it happens so quickly.

2 minutes ago, GingerMe said:

I think you are better off with the sleeve. I think its better to lose the weight slowly. I think losing the weight so quickly is not good on a mental level. Its hard when it happens so quickly.

to be honest, I don't think that it's that much slower. I think having support for the mental stuff (if people have issues with that) is most important. Since you're 12 years out, I wonder if they just didn't do as good a job with mental prep as they do now. Or maybe it was just your surgeon (??).

Edited February 11, 20206 yr by catwoman7

another thing to consider - the bypass has been around for a long time, and there's a lot of long term data on it. Not so with the sleeve. I don't know that you'll find many people 10-15-20 years out who've had the sleeve, so I don't know what, if any, long-term issues might be.

I had reoccurring acid reflux and GERDS issues with my lap band to the point it was removed in December. I was strongly considering revision to gastric sleeve, however, my surgeon presented a compelling case against it, in favor, of gastric bypass. His primary point was the sleeve is a restrictive solution to weight loss, similar to a lap band. Given my history, he was concerned that my struggle with acid reflux and GERDS would return. My gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for February 27th.

I am 2 yrs out and already have a vitamin d deficiency everyday I take b12 . bcomplex. 1 a day. Viamin d . and 4 calcium pills a day I wont lie I slack sometimes and forget to take then but all my vitamins have been good. You jus need to remember to take ur vitamins everyday and I think you should be good.