How to get a DXA scan?

Gwen M.
on 10/4/16 8:17 am

VSG on 03/13/14

Posting inspired me to call insurance. Apparently I'm 100% covered if preventative and 80% covered if "medical." I've got an appointment to get a prescription for Monday.

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)

Gwen M.
on 10/4/16 8:19 am

VSG on 03/13/14

Local radiology place only does bone density DXA scanning. Which is really what I'm after since numerous studies have shown that, even with calcium supplementation, bone density is an area of concern post-WLS.

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)

Grim_Traveller
on 10/5/16 10:56 am

RNY on 08/21/12

This is wise. I was taking 2500 calcium carbonate per day, and I still lost a bunch of bone density.

Everyone should get a baseline scan before surgery, and every 2 years after.

My calcium has improved on the patch as compared to oral calcium.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

Gwen M.
on 10/5/16 10:58 am

VSG on 03/13/14

If I had known then what I know now, I totally would have pushed for a scan pre-op. Better late than never I hope!

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)

Donna L.
on 10/5/16 2:24 pm - Chicago, IL

Revision on 02/19/18

This might be more due to the PPIs many of us take versus the actual surgery itself. I know they are associated with an increased risk of osteoperosis and fractures later in life, as well as calcium and magnesium absorption issues.

For a DXA scam I'd be surprised if your doctor wouldn't give a prescription being a weight loss patient. I'd just email them and ask for one.

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

Gwen M.
on 10/5/16 2:36 pm

VSG on 03/13/14

I've got an appointment with my PCP for the prescription - she wanted me to check with my insurance first.

I don't recall the PPI thing being a factor in the studies that I read, but I also didn't read them super closely.

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)

Donna L.
on 10/5/16 3:02 pm - Chicago, IL

Revision on 02/19/18

It's a concern in research, but the data is correlational. I never saw a causative study for it. Just an nerdy tidbit :)

After my recent GERD adventures, I am making cozier friends with PPIs, regardless.

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life