Anyone worried with bone density after WLS?

For some reason, this scares me to death!!!  I don't know why.  I don't have a family  history but I worry all the time about this.  Maybe it's b/c my calcium cit supp are what I forget to take the most.  Anyway, I'm only 30 but this weighs on my mind heavily.  I can see a small decline in my teeth health since surgery (nothing super bad, just a bit more small cavities) and that may be coming with age too, I don't know.  Has anyone, that's young for bone density (50 and younger) had any tests yet since WLS?  I want a test, I want to see what condition mine are in.  I'll be 2years out in July, so I don't even know if that's long enough for a calcium deficiency?

(Before surgery, I'd drink 1-2 gallons of milk a week.  Since surgery, I never drink milk, at all)

You are prudent to be concerned because long term mineral malabsorption is an issue. You need to be sure you are hitting the mark wtih calcium, magnesium and Vit D. You can get a bone density test now.......as your increase in dental disease is an indication that you aren't carrying minerals well. I"m 4 years out and have no dental or otherwise but I am religious with my supplements (take over 40 a day). Here's the deal. If you're going to worry...stop the 'forget to take' crap. No forgetting. The long term implications are realistic to fear. No excuses. Susan

I had my surgery done at UCSF Medical Center and I was asked to be a part of an optional study group that is testing bone density on RNY patients before and 6 months after the surgery...I couldn't do it because of timing, but, it seems pretty revelent to what you're asking...They were going to take images of the wrists and ankles and hips I think...and blood too. I'm sure you'll be able to do some research on it...especially in about 6 months

Andrea: thank you for posting ! Your fears are justified (I think) and I feel alot like you in that I worry worry worry! I am 56 and am bugging my doctor for testing of my levels.  He says well your calcium levels are normal/good.  That's blood levels.  Probably because my blood is drawing from my bones to indicate a normal level!! (I'm learning) so I try and supplement as much as I can.  I take dry VIt. D, calcium citrate and my MD had prescribed the 50,000 i.e. units of VIt D because I was low.  That does diddly squat! Its D2 not D3 which is what we need.  I don't think I really absorbed all that much of the vit d. 
 Anyhow, as the other posters say, take care of yourself now.  Be proactive!! I go back to see my md in June and he well better do a full blood work up on me or else!!!  I need to know where I'm at.  I also want a bone scan done.  I was never deficient and my bones thank goodness have always been good and hard.  However, I have noticed in the past 2 years my teeth are having more and more problems, i.e. cavities that I never had to deal with before so this indicated a red flag to me and perhaps should be for you as well.
    Ask questions.  There is alot of information on this forum alone about vitamins, deficiencies what you need, what to ask your doctor for as far as testing,etc.  VitaLady and Susan are very full of good knowlege here on this forum.  I am sure they can answer alot of techinical questions, too.
I wish you the best of luck and thanks for the post.  I felt alot of the things you do, too.  Take care, Mary

 In the few years I've been here, I've seen many people discover they have osteoporosis and osteopenia at fairly young ages. You should be concerned. There are other things that contribute, like not taking enough calcium citrate, or just getting the dose wrong ( the dose on the bottle is usually for 2 pills, not 1) . So people think they are getting 2000 mg per day with 6 pills, but actually only getting half. 

Another thing to watch is your labs. There are several things measured that indicate how your doing with calcium. If you don't understand them all, there are a few very lab-savvy folks here that will help you figure them out (especially on the DS board - I've seen other surgery types post there for the vitamin help).

Many of us also don't get the best advice from our surgeons nutritionists (raising hand here, with the masses that are already at OH), and I get better info here. This is one of those things that you are better off to edudatate yourself, and take matters into your own hands.

I'm behind BearMom - Watch your labs.  Make sure your surgeon is pulling your Calcium and Vitamin D. 

Do you have a pill organizer?  Maybe it's time to invest in one.  That way, when you go for your pills, there they are, all set up for you and no rummaging around for all the pills you need.

 
I'm around your age, and we had the same surgery. I'm also a bit worried about osteoporosis-family history and I don't drink milk.

Have your doc check your pth, vitamin D, and go get a DEXA scan. Calcium will be normal unless there is something *desperately* wrong.  You can get a scan for free at a lot of pharmacies here, if you watch the ads for clinics.  Mine was normal which surprised me. :) I do eat cheese and yoghurt, green leafy veg etc.

I wonder if the teeth problem is more due to dry mouth? I know I need to keep track of my liquids, I seem to get dehydrated much more easily since surgery. 

hope that helps,
Ivy

We are supposed to malabsorb minerals, including calcium, so you should be concerned.  I had a dexascan two years before my surgery.  I have to admit that I very rarely take my calcium.  I do, however, drink a lot of skim milk, I eat greek yogurt, and a lot of cheese.  I just had a new dexascan a couple of months ago, and my bones are just as good as they were about five years ago, so I guess I'm doing okay as is.