Iron infusions

I am now anemic and will be starting iron infusions next week.  Anyone ever had these before?  What should I expect?

I've been on this OH forum for over a year and you are the first VSGer I've ever heard of needing this.  I know this is very common with bypass patients.  Were you taking iron postop?

Im pre-op and maybe getting them if my levels dont come up.... but Ive been severly anemic for most of my adult life...

I received iron infusions during my 3rd post-op month. I was anemic and needed some iron infusions. They helped to bring my iron back up to normal levels. The anemia was related the VSG and some internal bleeding issues that I had, as a result of the surgery. The infusions themselves were painless. The Veneflor (sp) was given via IV and took about one hour. I was in an Infusion clinic, in a very comfortable recliner. The entire experience was very relaxing. I needed 4 infusions, over a period of 4 weeks.

Anemia can occur post-VSG, due to decreased intake, and this is one of the reasons, for having our labs monitored on a regular basis.


gail

I've had anemia on and off pre-op.  Post-op, I don't seem to be able to get the numbers up in the normal range.  My ferritin levels are great; my serum iron is in the tank.  I've gone through the various carbonyl irons, heme iron, and prescription iron pills.  I felt like the prescription iron pills were working, but my legs and feet were swelling like an elephant's as a side effect - just like me to have one of those "this almost never happens" side effects.

So I'm back to the heme iron (proferrin and bifera) to see if anything improves, but I suspect I'm heading for an infusion as well.  Hopefully, if I can get it up to normal, it'll stay there!

According to my PCP, infusions are no big deal and she wondered why my bariatric folks were delaying doing it.  But I don't know details about what's involved.  I'm happy to hear that it doesn't sound too complicated!

Can't your PCP order the infusions? My PCP ordered mine.

Yes she can. It's only the last draw that they had dropped to what I consider to be alarming. I'm waiting for my regular PCP to get back into town to talk to her about it. 

Thanks all for your comments.  I have had low iron for as long as I can remember (30 years or so).  I took iron supplements before, during and after surgery.  About 6 weeks after surgery I started a very heavy bleed which helped put me into the anemic stage.  In addition not consuming as much food hasn't helped.  Now that I have had my hysterectomy, the source of the bleed is gone, so I am hoping the infusions will get me feeling normal again.

I have had 2 friends that both had VSG 3 years ago and both needed iron infusions as well.  Just depends how well you absorb it plus taking a pill takes much longer to absorb into your system.