Three month follow up w/labs

Apologies if I rant...I had my three month follow up today.  Since the clinic lost their bariatric doctor a few months ago, the surgeons are filling in. 

Today, I got to see a resident because my doctor was busy with other patients.  I have had anemia for the past year and a half...that I am aware of.  My labs show that I still have it and my red blood cell production is low, as well.  I take a special iron supplement that the previous bariatric doctor recommended.  If anyone knows of anything I can do to increase my hemoglobin and red blood cells, PLEASE let me know! 

Well, the resident had no clue about the supplement and took twice as long to figure it all out.  Then, she went out to "consult' with my surgeon.  Then they are talking right outside the door and I yell "HELLO, I CAN HEAR YOU!"  Yeesh!  He's talking iron transfusions but based on the resident's sketchy intel so he's undecided.

For now, he's decided to wait another three months, rerun labs, and then decide.  I see my PCP next week.  I'll be consulting with her on all this.  I am SO unimpressed with Pinnacle's Weight Loss Clinic in Harrisburg, PA!!!  Half their staff have crap customer service skills.

The best part of the visit was checking out and scheduling for three months.  The cranky woman was in rare form.  I asked if I get my co-pay back because I didn't see a doctor nor did I see a specialist.  She was shocked.  She actually sputtered!  Then I asked to have my records transferred to my surgeon's private practice.  She said I could specifically be put on the doctor's schedule.  I told her that I was under the impression that I was on his schedule today but that didn't happen.  Oh my, I had her frazzled.  Sorry if that sounds mean but she is so unpleasant!

The good news is that since Thanksgiving last year, I have lost 104 pounds.  I am so very happy to have made the decision to have the surgery.  I am much healthier for having made that decision.

Karen

Sorry you had a bad experience. Congratulations of your success!!!

That would be annoying.

What's your iron level?  Your hemoglobin?  Hematocrit?  Ferritin?

What kind of iron have you been taking and how much?

Hi Kelly,

I don't have a copy in front of me but  iron, hemoglobin, and Ferritin were all below normal.  I take Vitamin Shoppe's Hematinic formula since I don't tolerate regular iron.  The standard dose is three tabs per day which I upped to four.  That accounts for the slight improvement.  I'll get the numbers and send you a message on Monday.  This is truly bothersome.  If I wasn't on Adderall for my ADHD, I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning much less exercise!

Karen

But what type of iron is that?  Is it heme iron?  Ferrous sulfate?  Carbonyl?  And when you say you don't tolerate "regular" iron, what type of iron is that?

You may need iron infusions.  You might want to see a hematologist.

Wow...I don't know.  When I went onto the website for the supplement I take, it only had an ingredient list.  Here is what it said:

 

Supplement Facts
Serving Size 3
Servings Per Container 83
	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	5	N/A*
Total Carbohydrate	1 Gm	N/A*
Dietary Fiber	1 Gm	2%
Protein	1 Gm	2%
Vitamin C(As Calcium Ascorbate)	300 Mg	500%
Folic Acid	300 Mcg	75%
Vitamin B12(As Cobalamin)	150 Mcg	2500%
Calcium(As Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Ascorbate)	120 Mg	12%
Iron(As Iron Bisglycinate)	45 Mg	250%
Sodium	10 Mg	N/A*
Desiccated And Defatted Liver Powder	750 Mg	N/A*

The regular iron I talked about was just an ordinary iron supplement from the drugstore.  I couldn't tell you specifically.  I do like the idea of just scheduling with a hematologist. 

Thanks!

Kelly,

I didn't ask the "right" questions.  What iron should I be taking?  How much?  How often?  And can I find it at the drugstore?

Karen

I got annoyed when my RNY surgeon's office had her PA see me when I had come in after having a CT scan because i had a recurring mystery severe abdominal pain. The PA was dismissive and refused to listen to me when I insisted that i had experienced ovarian cysts before (the only thing the abdominal and pelvic CT showed) and that my pain was no where NEAR where my ovaries are! She just reiterated that i should go see the gynecologist.

I did not want to see a PA, I wanted to see the surgeon, so I talked to the office manager and told them hat I only wanted to see the surgeon (and why). They made a notation in my online record that I was always to see the surgeon. That, in my mind, is a reasonable request, especially since you are paying the same amount whether you see the surgeon or not.

Lora

Does your insurance let you self-refer?   If so, get thee to a haematologist and forget the middle man ...  

Alternatively, if you need a referral, get your PCP to do it - your surgeon is a cutter - bedside manner is not his thing (usually it one of the reasons they become a surgeon - they prefer us unconscious!) - it is wholly possible to manage your health without him and his inept staff!

p.s. My surgeon is great with a wonderful bedside manner...I think the problem is that I didn't get to speak to him directly.  :)  Love Matthew Davidson!   :)