MiladyB

Someone asked me to post what labs my surgeon requires postop. I'm not saying that this is the way it HAS to be done but this is what my surgeon requires. He has a pretty progressive office so I feel pretty confident that the labwork he has me do is pretty complete. This is for his RNY patients. His lapband, sleeve and DS patients would have different labs done. Your surgeon may have different labs that he/she wants, so please discuss it with your surgeon. This is only a list from my personal experience and what I have noticed other surgeons recommending.

This is the list my surgeon requires for his RNY Gastric Bypass patients:

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Lipid Profile
CBC with Diff
B-12
Bili-Direct
Ferritin
Iron/TIBC
Magnesium
RBC Folate
Thiamine (B1)
Uric Acid
Vitamin D, 25-OH
Bone Density test (one year post-op then every other year if normal. Every year if shows bone loss. This is for men AND women; all ages.)

They are in discussion about adding in a few more.
Copper
Zinc
PTH


For myself I've had my pcp add in the Copper and the Zinc. All the above labs are required annually. I get them every 6 months. My surgeon does them annually and my pcp does them annually. That way I have both doctors looking at them every 6 months. I also make sure both doctors get all the lab results.

I also make sure I get a copy of all my labs. I have a spread sheet where I record them so I can watch for any concerning trends. I'm not saying you have to do this. I'm a person who likes to be very involved in my own care, but that's just me.

Frequency of the above labs? Again, please check with your surgeon for his/her recommendation.

3 months post-op
6 months post-op
1 year post-op
annually for life

At least that is my surgeon's recommendations. Of course if anything is abnormal additional labs and frequency will change.

__________________
~Beth~

Little Victories; Grand Rapids, MI
Bariatric Support Group

Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol,
peripheral vein disease, joint pain and 210 lbs GONE!!


Century Club: July 3, 2006
ONE-derland: Dec. 22, 2006
Double Century: May 29, 2007
Goal: June 15, 2008

Lap RNY: 1/30/06-Dr Randal Baker
TT/BL: 09/21/07-Dr Ronald Ford
PS Revisions: 04/29/08-Dr Ronald Ford
Gallbladder: 05/14/08-Dr Randal Baker
Emergency surgery (Intussusception): 02/29/09-Dr James Foote