Deficiency
Yes. Despite taking as much (or more than) the amount of calcium that the ASMBS recommends, my DEXA scans for the past two years have shown bone loss.
Be aware that a DEXA scan is the only way to tell if you're getting enough calcium or not. The serum (blood) calcium level doesn't tell you anything except that -- if you're not getting enough calcium from your diet and supplements -- your body is doing a good enough job of pulling it from your bones to put in your blood. It also means that you only know there is a problem once bone loss has already occurred.
A number of people with gastric bypass also struggle with keeping their iron levels up. I have been able to just increase my daily dose, but a number of people end up getting infusions because the oral supplements just don't get the job done.
It is REALLY important to get lab work done on a regular basis if you have RNY or DS, because by the time you start noticing symptoms/problems the deficiency may be severe, and because of our absorption issues it is difficult for us to raise our levels.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I actually have a copper toxicity issue, but we think it might be due to iron deficiency. I had low iron pre-op, though, so this is not a super huge surprise! I'm working on it now and will retest in February.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
Have you had a full vitamin/mineral work up done? There are several different deficiencies that could be causing the things you mention.
The "haywire" tastebuds are probably not vitamin related, though... Many people find that their tastes change post-op (sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently).
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Zinc deficiency can cause changes in taste buds.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."