What are you eating/Doing today (Tuesday)

Good morning all!

I thought I would start this one today, since I'm trying to be organized! 

But of not great news yesterday at the doctor's office. My bone density results show that I have osteopenia bordering osteoporosis in my spine. I have a referral for an endocrinologist, who has dealt with bariatric patients (recommended by Leona). At least I run, which helps, and there is medication! I take my calcium and d, but it seems like iron, I just don't absorb it. Anyhow!

The game was awesome last night!! I paced around a lot and ended up with over 22k in steps lol

Today I'm going to try and hit 20k again

b: protein coffee and hard boiled egg

S: laughing cow and Melba

l: chicken and veggies

S: Melba and light peanut butter

d: steak stir fry

Good morning everyone.  Tanya thank you for the Greek burger recipe, I will be having them next week for sure.  Kelly I am sorry that you are showing bone loss.  My doctor does not want me taking calcium supplements, he wants me to get my calcium from food, but I worry about bone loss.

Today I am taking a family member to the hospital for a series of tests so no swimming for me.  We will likely have dinner and lunch out at a restaurant, but I will bring healthy snacks and try to make good choices.

5 months post op

B. Eggs poached with a very small amount of Hollandaise to help them slide down.

L. Not sure yet

D. At a restaurant, I will try a beef dish with some veg.

Have a great day everyone.

Which doctor? We don't absorb enough from food to get enough calcium. Right now, you are in full malabsorption  of everything, and have little intake compared to a regular diet. In surprised your centre isn't asking you to take calcium citrate. 

No calcium supplement - I am extremely surprised and have never heard of that, even from Guelph who have some different ideas, unless a person genetically had high calcium levels and additional supplementation would be harmful OR if a person is prone to kidney stones - perhaps you fall into one of those categories.

Hi CC

I cannot remember if you are VSG or RNY. 

Please be very careful with this advice re not taking calcium.  The ASMBS recommends all WLS patients take calcium - however for those with malabsorptive procedures it is critical.

Does your centre recommend the same thing? 

Calcium is a delicate dance as Kelly has noted in her post.  The body leeches calcium from the bones if it is not getting enough from food - and this is not readily apparent via simple blood tests. 

I did not take my calcium religiously the first 18 months and found my parathyroid elevated - which indicated I was leeching from my bones.  I have since found the correct dose of calcium citrate for me and now my levels - including calcium-pottasium - Vit D etc are good.

I used to go yearly to Womens College Hospital for an allover exam  especially designed for women looking at our overall health with particular emphasis on cancers.  20 years ago they strongly recommended all women take a calcium supplement - so I began then.

Anyway - rant over  lol.  You and your care team will decide what is best for you - but I have never heard any wls centre  doctor recommend no calcium.

Thanks guys for your advice. I go to see my centre and the internal medicine doctor and I will talk to them about again. My GP said he didn't want me taking calcium supplements because there is current research showing it can leave calcium deposits in the heart, I told the nutritionist at Guelph this and she said she had heard that as well. I had ordered 3 bags of Bariatric Advantage calcium chews Pre op and haven't had any because of what the doc said.

As my own GP says, she is not a specialist in bariatric surgery. I have come to her with all sorts of information on what I need, given to me by my centre. She has made copies. She took down information on how to get a referral for iron infusions, and now she is referring me to an endocrinologist, who specializes in WLS patients, before medicating me (which was her first reaction, but I was armed with a doctor's name for a referral).

It is true that there is research regarding calcium leaving deposits in the heart, but I just have to wonder if we would actually absorb enough to even reach our hearts. We are different than our non-bariatric peeps.  

I am through Guelph also, and they don't have me on any vitamin except a multi (maternal), and vitamin d as it was low before surgery.  The internist just told me I should be on iron as all wls peeps should be, plus it was low (but the clinic wasn't worried about it).  I was just thinking of posting this question last night...because every one I know and read about all seem to be on calcium.  I am interested in what they tell you, and I myself am going to call them and check once more about the calcium-- I have osteo arthritis, so am concerned with bone density loss etc.

Good luck!

If you don't mind, please post what Guelph tells you. I also have osteoarthritis and I had many breaks in my leg when I was younger. Thank you.

Good morning! :)

Kelly, that's not great news and I am sorry to hear that. I am certain that your active lifestyle will help but its good to know that there are medical treatment options as well. xo For whatever reason I have no calcium absorption issues and my bone density is that of a 30 year old (which is pretty good since Im 47 LOL). Iron has been and continues to be a huge absorption issue for me too. Grr.

What an exciting game last night!! I was so tired but had to stay up to watch Canada totally kick some hockey ass - GO Canada!  Off to work for the morning, have to run a couple of errands this afternoon, dinner and cards with Andrew, not sure what else other than phone IT consultation with my elderly parents who are learning to use the iPad I bought them for Christmas. I was uber impressed with yesterdays consultation as my mom had managed to access the apps store, download an app she wanted, and input any and all passwords etc. on her own. Now if she could just learn how to touch and swipe..... LOL

8.5 years post-op

- coffee with cream x 3 over the morning -

B - Premier protein shake

S - Greek yogurt, 2 halo oranges, 1 vinta cracker spread with Boursin cheese

L - small flour tortilla stuffed with tuna salad (tuna, mayo, green onion, celery), lettuce and tomato

S - Chike protein iced coffee, 1 ham,cheese,pickle roll-up

D -Andrew is making me dinner, I *think* we are having 3 oz BBQ steak, a couple of shrimp, a bite or two of baked potato, mixed greens with white balsamic & honey vinegar (omg, the vinegar is delish!!)

S - likely just some tea with a little milk

Have a terrific Tuesday!

K. :)