3 yrs 4 mths postop..anemic just had blood transfusion

Let me start by saying i was anemic before my VSG, but never to the point i am now. Doc has labeled me "Anemic/Secondary to WLS"..but no other tests have been done to see if anything else is going on.

It started a month ago when i fainted while walking around at our local fair. Since then i have had many close calls with fainting spells. I could not walk 5 min in the store without feeling faint. I was having heart palpitations..slight fever..major dizziness..weakness..so i went to the doctors and was sent to see a Hematologist.

I had my appt with the hematologist on Wednesday and was sent to the hospital to receive a blood transfusion (two units). My hemoglobin was at 7..hematrocrit 27..and ferritin 3.  Took 2-3 hours for each unit of blood..so i was there quite awhile but everything went fine and i am feeling tons better already.

I go back to see the hematologist this coming wednesday and start IV Iron Infusions. The doc mentioned putting a port under my skin on my chest for the infusions (this scares me..don't know what to expect). I don't know yet how often i will need the IV Iron Infusions..until my appt when they review the lab results.
 

So just FYI..keep up with your vitamins and iron supplements..so this doesn't become you!



 

A port is a great thing for people who will need long term infusion....I see them all the time placed in surgery and pts using them for infusions....you will love it..unless you enjoy having iv's....glad ur feeling better...good luck...glad you jumped on board with hematologist right away..always better to have a specialist manage ur condition.....

Thanks for the advice.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Hoping you feel better soon.

Bless your heart, hon, and I pray you will have success in getting on top of this -feeling weak all the time is not a fun place to be.  Thank you for posting this.  I personally know a couple who have VSG's- been super successful with them and in maintenence for a while now who do not- and do not think they need to take the vitamins because they "feel just fine".  It's a slippery slope, and hard to correct when let go too long.  May health be there for you, soon.  Bonnie

This is why its important to keep up with labs and monitoring them. 

I didnt take any iron supps for 18 months post op and my iron labs were always in the normal range. At 2 years though- i felt like major crap and discovered my iron tanked...so I dont think it had anything to do with surgery, but definitely something to keep in mind. 

Sorry you had to go through this but at least theyve got a plan to get you feeling better. 

So glad you're beginning to feel better! Prayers for your continued recovery! My mom had iron infusions about 6 months ago and she's doing SO much better. She had to go once a week for about 4 weeks I think, maybe 6. The port would be great, you won't have to get stuck with IVs all the time . I've accessed patients ports numerous times and it's so very easy and pretty much painless for the patient. Other than seeing a small (about the size of a nickel or so) bump in your skin, you probably won't even know it's there. Good luck to you! Keep us updated!

sorry this is happening and hope that you get back to good health soon!  Question, did you continue to take a daily multivitamin throughout your 3yr 4mo since surgery?

Hope and pray you are feeling better real soon.

Thank you for the wake up call...I've been slacking on the vitamins and know better.  I didn't realize that you could get behind and have a hard time catching up.  Sorry you're having problems, but thanks for sharing.