Update and Vitalady Iron

[Deleted]

Hi all,



Just an update. Little over 2 months post-VSG. I hit an early stall (as discussed previously). I think I would have gotten stuck there without making a significant diet change. About 2 weeks ago, I went to a very-low carb approach (probably < 20g/day). A few days after that I went ketotic. I've also been exercising on some home-gym equipment I invested in.



Its tough at times, but I'm doing well with this regime. Weight is starting to come down again (not monitoring too closely to be honest), and muscle mass and strength is improving. Hunger is way down (as always with ketosis).



I've always had "success" with ketogenic diets, but obviously if that approach was effective (ie sustainable), I wouldn't need these surgeries. I'm trying to push hard before the DS, to get my weight as low as possible, with hopes that may give me a lower end-point on this journey.



A big difference I'm doing with this current plan is to cut out the artificial sweeteners (ie my beloved Crystal Light). This is probably the biggest struggle for me. Drinking (plain) water has always been a challenge for me. It makes me a bit nauseated, but I'm sure a lot of that is just habit. I have been a life-long lover of diet Coke and for many years and Crystal Light, but I think they have been driving my appetite, calorie and carb intake up. I'm aware of a number of theories behind this, and I have to say, I feel the effect is real, although somewhat counter-intuitive.



Also....I'm having a lot of trouble with Vitalady Iron. I vomit them up every time I try to use them. I tried cutting down the dose, and even taking a hiatus, but I'm just not tolerating them. I searched this board and found a previous discussion on this topic which was very helpful (thanks!). I'm going to have to substitute another brand in. This has thrown me off my vitamin game a bit, and I am planning on getting back on top of it this coming week. Just did some bloodwork, so I can see where I'm at.



Thanks everyone for all your info and support! You guys are awesome!!



R



PS: How are people finding artificial sweetners after DS? I've read about the sugar-alcohol thing, and I suspect that is an issue. Drinking water alone indefinitely would be tough for me.

[goodkel]

Don't take iron on an empty stomach. Try this iron. It has greater bio-availability and is easier on your stomach:

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Early out I could not drink plain water. It seemed to get stuck in my lower esophagus or something, kind of formed an uncomfortable lump before going down. I did use Crystal Light until I could go back on caffeine. Decaf soda tasted horrible to me.

I've been drinking Diet Coke since around 6-8 weeks out from surgery with no problem. I had to hold it in my mouth for a few seconds to allow some of the carbonation to dissipate, but after weeks of no caffeine it was heaven. No problem with artificial sweeteners in my coffee, either. What I have always had issues with are the -itols in sugar free candy and the like. It was a guaranteed all evening colon blow in my early days, but now it just makes for frequent loose stools until it has left my system.

Your "stall" would have ended on its own.

Glad to hear that you are doing well!!

Kelly

[jpcello]

I unfortunately continue to use artificial sweetener. I drink crystal lite/4C light daily, as well as using splenda. I would probably be better off without it but I choose to continue to use it. I've tried using "real" sugar but I don't like the taste - guess just too many years of the artificial stuff.

Like Kelly said, I don't touch anything with a -itol (sugar alcohol). Goes right through me - literally. Basically anything that is sold as "sugar free" has some type of sugar alcohol in it so be careful.

Can't help you with the iron suggestions as I never had any tummy issues taking oral iron. Just keep an eye on your iron levels (learn the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia), especially after your DS when you start malabsorbing. Many DSers experience anemia and ultimately rely on infusions.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Sounds like you are doing better, glad to hear it. I also get a little sick from iron. I've switched to the iron with Vitalady where I only have to take two in the morning and one in the evening. I still get a little yucky from the morning dose. My hematologist said I don't need infusions so this is what I need to do...

I use Splenda. My treat is an unsweetened ice tea with Splenda and I'm not giving it up! LOL I'm very careful with everything else.

Good luck,
Kelly

[west4thavenue]

I was always a big Diet Coke drinker before the surgery,too, but haven't had it since. I was also a huge ice tea freak before, but both taste bad to me. My sense of taste changed pretty radically with the surgery. In some cases this has been a blessing, as it has kept temptations at bay. I've been drinking water with Crystal Light since my DS with no issues. Like a lot of people, I couldn't get the water down without it. I recently discovered Black Cherry Citrus Fresca and have one of those each day with no problems. I avoid sugar alcohols, of course. I only recently began drinking a little bit of coffee again (half caff or decaf only) with SweetNLow. Truvia and Splenda (in baking and cooking) have caused no problems for me, but I am very careful to eat small portions of those things.

Let us know how you deal with the iron problem. Hope it gets resolved quickly for you.

[newyorkbitch]

Jul 19, 2015 5:50:46 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

Sounds like you are doing better, glad to hear it. I also get a little sick from iron. I've switched to the iron with Vitalady where I only have to take two in the morning and one in the evening. I still get a little yucky from the morning dose. My hematologist said I don't need infusions so this is what I need to do...

I use Splenda. My treat is an unsweetened ice tea with Splenda and I'm not giving it up! LOL I'm very careful with everything else.

Good luck,
Kelly

Please post all your iron results (I mean the full panel) here. Actually include all of them from the past year. I want to see how your iron indicators are trending.

[newyorkbitch]

I drink diet coke with no problem, have done so for years.

I don't absorb oral iron no matter what I take, so I have iron infused a couple of times a year. It's no big deal. This is not uncommon for DSers (obviously after you have the rest of the surgery).

Try a different kind of iron, as was suggested.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone! Great info.

Very relieved to hear the Crystal Light isn't off the table for many people after DS.

I've been doing better with plain water (after pushing through for the last few weeks).

Overall, I'm feeling pretty positive...total carbs are probably between 10-50 grams per day (no starchy carbs). I'm not losing a ton of weight rapidly, but I do feel my clothes getting a little loser every week

My iron profile was totally normal on my last labs, which is awesome. Will switch up to that brand Kelly suggests to keep those numbers up.

The vitamin supplementation commitment is tremendous with these surgeries. 

Thanks again everyone....I can't tell you how helpful and reassuring your insights are!

R

[goodkel]

Often when the scale isn't going down, the inches are. I suggest that everyone measure themselves regularly during the first two years. What may look like a stall is sometimes just your body catching up to your scale.

While you certainly don't want to be drinking your carbs, nothing is forever off the table because of your DS.

Diet Coke/sugar free drinks are certainly acceptable.

Yes, the vitamin commitment is serious. But, it will eventually become a habit and be no big deal. Besides counteracting DS related deficiencies, they will likely make you healthier than your average person who pops a multi once a day and thinks of nothing else.