Hello,

I am two years post-sleeve surgery, down about 80 pounds and happy. Unfortunately, I have developed pretty severe iron deficiency anemia which was discovered because I developed horrible restless legs syndrome. I'm taking 60 mg of Iron in my bariatric vitamin without much success. My doctor has recommended IV iron infusion. I was just curious if other sleevers have had this problem, as I thought it was more associated with bypass. Also, if you have experience, can you share how you felt during/after infusions? I have an anxiety disorder and worry about everything, so I'd love some real life tales.

Thank you,

Rebecca

It can happen. Especially more in females. My iron was low at 3 months post op. I increased my intake with an extra iron supplement and next labs at 6 months showed my iron back to normal. but the doctor said that it happens to many people some need infusions. I only take now roughly 45mg of iron a day. I am a guy. Also make sure you are taking vitamin C with your iron and no calcium for 2 hours at least. When i take my iron i drink a small glass of OJ or a glass of water with EMERGEN C orange powder in it.

It’s becoming more & more common & not just for weight loss surgery patients. I know 3 women who have iron infusions (none had wls). Five years ago I knew no one.

(If you will continue to take iron supplements as well as the infusion, don’t take the iron when you take calcium as the calcium inhibits the absorption of the iron.)

As for restless legs, my mum (suffered for decades) found a lot of relief from Sifrol. It’s a Parkinson medication. Worth talking to your doctor about.

@Arabesque and @liveaboard15 already mentioned the issue with calcium interfering with iron absorption, but I wanted to make sure you knew that even dietary calcium like milk or yogurt will cause this. I think sometimes people forget about what they're eating and just think about supplemental calcium like chews.

I recently had a hiatial hernia tear. I had GERD before and after VSG. I am 12 years out. ( I am 66 years old, and my mother and grandmother had this issue also...) I had no idea, but wasn't feeling well. I work full time, and and fairly active - I garden, have chickens for fresh eggs, used to haul around 40 pounds of grain.... but couldn't the past few months. Go into my doctor, they did blood labs and sent me to the hospital. I needed 2 blood transfusions, and 4 days in the hospital to locate the bleeding... had endoscope and colonoscopy .... NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VSG. But i had also been taking meds for arthritis. So I had some gastric bleeding and the tear in the hiatus. After that I had iron infusion in the hospital and one each week for the next 6 weeks. I have been told not to take my oral iron, and next week I will be 3 weeks without iron infusions, so I go and get labs then. Will see if I can go without it or not. Meanwhile, I eat a ton of cooked (fresh spinach ) a week; and try to eat beef 3 time a week, to help it out. Will see how it goes.

I go to an outpatient infusion clinic. The nurses are incredible and never miss my vein. and I am not an easy "stick". I get the 20 minute infusion and wait a half hour afterwards with a slow flush drip. Then I can go about my day.