So I’m almost to my surgery date for RNY. I’ve had a high normal or slightly higher than normal hemoglobin and hematocrit for years. This is due to overall metabolic/hormone issues associated with obesity/PCOS.  I’ve had the work ups and that is all it is. I’m ordering Vitamins and while they recommend Iron for all bypass patients I’m wondering if anyone has been in this situation where they were slightly high before and didn’t need replacement afterward? I don’t want to overuse it but don’t want to be anemic either. The recommend 45mg of iron standard and when I mentioned it to the bariatric nurse she said for sure get the iron. Just wondering if anyone had this same experience?

I actually misunderstood my surgeon at my post op appointments. I bought iron but did not take it as I thought I was supposed to wait until my 3 month bloodwork to see if I needed iron. At week 6-7 I started to feel really tired so I reached out to my team to see if I should start taking iron. They told me I should have been taking it all along. My iron levels were slightly elevated prior to surgery.

Maybe you should do a happy medium and take a lower level of iron. Pro care health has multivitamins with zero, 18 and 45 mg iron.

I had looked at the procare they really seem the best with fewest pills! I just didn’t want to get behind the ball and not sure if I should just go ahead and realize mine will drop like most RNY patients or if I will tend to stay higher just based on my history. I’d rather not chase it, but also getting too much is equally as bad

Well I think it is sorta a guessing game because everyone’s body responds differently. I think the rule of thumb is that most people need it. I would be pressing my dr for a better answer for your unique circumstance.

13 hours ago, mrsjo said:

So I’m almost to my surgery date for RNY. I’ve had a high normal or slightly higher than normal hemoglobin and hematocrit for years. This is due to overall metabolic/hormone issues associated with obesity/PCOS. I’ve had the work ups and that is all it is. I’m ordering Vitamins and while they recommend Iron for all bypass patients I’m wondering if anyone has been in this situation where they were slightly high before and didn’t need replacement afterward? I don’t want to overuse it but don’t want to be anemic either. The recommend 45mg of Iron standard and when I mentioned it to the bariatric nurse she said for sure get the iron. Just wondering if anyone had this same experience?

My only thought is that if your hormone issues are associated with obesity/PCOS, they will likely disappear as you lose weight. You don't want to have to wait until they fall to try to catch up. I would take the iron-based vitamins.

Well I think that the good news is that they should be doing labs every three months for the first couple months so even if you do get a little behind it shouldn’t be too far behind I wouldn’t think. But Splenda makes a good point that if it’s Related to an issue that may resolve with weight loss then it may be safer to just take them.

And the general mg is it 45mg? Just trying to get my vitamins ordered

Just now, mrsjo said:

And the general mg is it 45mg? Just trying to get my Vitamins ordered

Yea, 45 mg of iron is what I was required to take.