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Even 2000mg of calcium citrate isn't enough, apparently

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 12/5/14 11:11 am - OH

Some surgeons do bloodwork at three months out but many don't do it until six months out since three months isn't very long period of time for your levels to drop.  I was told that I should hage had a DEXA scan either before I had the RNY or right afterward as a baseline. Since you are already 50, I would recommend that you get one ASAP.

MY PCP ordered my bone scans, but either physician could order it.

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

White Dove
on 12/5/14 10:45 am - Warren, OH

 

When I was in my early 50's a dexa scan showed some bone loss and I was prescribed Boniva.  This was at about eight years before RNY.  I took it once a month for about four years and never showed any more loss after taking it.  Is that still something that doctors do?

Real life begins where your comfort zone ends

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 12/5/14 11:14 am - OH

They do still give it for osteoporosis.  (My mom tried it and it made her horribly I'll both times.)

My PCP said that since I don't yet meet the definition of osteoporosis(I have not ahd time to look that up, and have not seen the report myself yet), he didn't think it wasn't necessary for me to take anything yet, but suggested that I ask my gynecologist about it since I have to follow up in three weeks with her on some ovarian cysts, anyway.

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

White Dove
on 12/5/14 11:39 am - Warren, OH

It was almost across the board back about 1998 to give women Boniva or Fostamax after menopause if their dexa scan showed bone loss.  I took it for about four or five years and never got sick from it or had any side effects.

Real life begins where your comfort zone ends

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 12/6/14 12:01 am - OH

It certain to cannot hurt to try one (or both) of them.  If it/they make me as sick as my mom, though, that isn't going to work.  It is encouraging that it didn't bother you.  I take after my dad's side of the family for almost everything except my hair, so hopefully the Boniva wouldn't make me sick like it does mom.

I have a note in my phone to be sure to ask my GYN what she thinks when I see her again in 3 weeks.

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Grim_Traveller
on 12/5/14 1:33 pm
RNY on 08/21/12

Osteopenia is a level one standard deviation below the average for a 30 year old woman, and osteoporosis is 2.5 standard deviations lower. I was osteopenic in my scan before surgery, so I keep my eye on it as well.

It turns out I'm not big-boned after all.

This is yet another example why watching results over time is important. Your results can be average one year, and -0.9 the next, and technically not be low. But it's teetering on the edge of osteopenia, and shows a downward trend. It's always easier to slow the spiral sooner rather than later.

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.

selhard
on 12/5/14 2:22 pm - MN
RNY on 11/26/12

"Osteopenia is a level one standard deviation..."  say what?!

White Dove
on 12/5/14 2:30 pm, edited 12/5/14 2:35 pm - Warren, OH

Thanks Grim.  I do remember that I was one deviation below the average for a 30 year old woman.  I remember thinking. well duh, I am not a 30 year old woman.

I worried a bit about taking the Boniva, but knew my mother was taking it with no problems.  They have a plastic model at my doctor's office that shows a representation of bone with osteopenia before and after Boniva.  The before bone looks like a piece of Swiss cheese with big holes in it and the after shows those holes pretty much filled in.

I am not sorry that I did the Boniva treatment.

Real life begins where your comfort zone ends

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 12/5/14 11:49 pm - OH

Thanks for the info, Grim.  As soon as they post my test results online I will be doing some research.  (My access to all the med libraries from my PhD program runs out in 8 days, so I need to do it quickly!)

LOL at not being big boned after all.  I alway said I was, even though I am short, but it turns out that only my leg and knee bones are truly big.  The rest of my bones are quite average.

 

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

lburrell
on 12/5/14 11:02 am

Thank you Lora for taking the time to provide such a thorough response to my question. This was very helpful. I too agree that it is borderline unethical that docs aren't clear about this aspect of the surgery.

  RNY 7/28/14 - HW 312 (1/9/14) - SW 263. CW 164 (3/28/15)

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