Malnutriton?

Question
I am a 28 year old female standing 5'8. I weighed 408lbs before I had Bariatric sugery done in January 2003. I now weigh 204lbs. I am happy with the weight loss, but my vision has gone from -175 to -300 and I have experienced hair loss and two episodes of Kidney stones. I don't drink protein shakes, nor do I take vitamins against my surgeons orders because both make me sick. However, I have had blood tests done several times this year the last one was in January and all have come back normal. My question is can someone like myself be manurished and still have normal test results?  

Answer
Depending on the type of procedure, it is possible to be lacking in certain vitamins.  In my opinion, it would not be harmful for you to take some type of supplemental multivitamin.

It is certainly possible to be malnourished, but that would show up on certain specific tests in the blood.  I would make sure that you have had specific tests done such as thyroid, B12, iron levels, albumin and total protein, and transferrin.  If all are normal, the hair loss may be from the stress of the weight loss.  Alternatively, it could be due to some hormonal changes.  With loss of fat, there are changes in both estrogen and testosterone levels.

Finally, kidney stones are often related to calcium oxalate.  If the movement of undigested food goes too quickly through the small intestine, it's possible that the procedure may be in part due to your kidney stones.  You may wish to see either your internist or an endocrinolologist about both issues.  

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