Before my surgery I was asked by my surgeon to be sure and get a base line Bone Density Test.  I asked why, as I had never had an issue with bone loss.  He explained to me that my being over weight was like doing weight lifting daily.  Since I needed to lose 200 pounds no wonder my bones were strong.  Once you lose that weight you no longer have that daily safe guard and some people lose bone mass.

I had my one year test done and to my horror I had lost 17% of my bone mass.  I went from 330 to my lowest of 114.  Maintaining in the 120's.  That was 11 years ago and knowing this early on alerted me to take the supplements I needed in addition to shots.  At first I was taking Forteo, but my insurance stop paying for it due to cost and now I take Prolia every 6 months.  I have not lost any additional bone mass.

PLEASE have this test before surgery, no matter your age!  Here is a great article discussing you taking charge of your Health with testing and tracking.

OH Health Tip: Taking Charge Of Your Medical Care

Regards,

Kathy 

Great advice. Many believe they don't need a bone density test. Maybe they're young, or male, or had a sleeve, or think they're "big boned." But loss of bone mass is very common, especially the further  out you get from surgery. Having a baseline is very important.

You are right Grim, and it's just as important for Men as they think it's a woman's issue 

Just had my second dexascan done - all aok, thankfully, with a T-score of 2, and an aged matched Z score of 1.2 - better than normal for my age - as was my last test 3 years ago.

 Like most tests, one test is only a snapshot, what's important is keeping an eye on trends over time.

That is great Kim!  

I was shocked but thank goodness I jumped on it right away. Every time I wipe out on my bike, I am so glad I don't break anything.  Yes I can be a spaz at times 

I've already had the surgery (in August, 2015), but called my doctor yesterday and made an appointment for a Bone Density Scan.  My grandmother had severe osteoporosis and it scares me to think it could happen to me.  Thank you for the reminder!

I know I have posted this before, but not everyone can have one before surgery. There is a weight limit. I was on the machine and they told me they couldn't do it when they found out how much I weighed. I have had one since surgery, so that is now my baseline.

I have not had a bone density test done. My bariatric surgeon did not have it among his pre surgery stuff. My primary hasn't said anything about it yet because at my healthcare system 43 is not yet old enough for that as a routine test. So it hasn't been done. BUT, after the neurosurgeon did my ACDF in mid July, I asked at my 1st follow up apt how my bone itself looked. They take a chunck of it out to get to the disc they are scraping off the nerve bundle in the vertebrae anyway. Then they put a "plug" in where the disc had been, and titanium plate and screw it so the "plug" has a chance to fuse into the bone. He said the bone itself looked good and thick. I told him that between my grand mother having osteoporosis and my RNY gastric bypass having bone loss as a concern, I HAD to ask. I think I had better ask my primary at my regular check up when she would advise I have that done. To kind of put the idea out there to her. With the RNY and the family history (even though was grandmother, and not close like mom or dad {he died in naval accident when 21 so no time for him to develop any "age" problems}) It might make for a "special cir****tance enough to warrant the test on this "younger" woman.