Question:
what happens to the bone density of a gastric bypass patient when they start to loose

An obese person has a higher bone density to support the weight. When that person looses a signifigant amount of weight does the bone density reduce? I have asked a few Doctors and cannot find an answer. I have been this weight before and had a larger overall size, now I am smaller, and can wear smaller sizes. I think it's because of my heavier bone density.    — Mary G. (posted on August 10, 2003)

August 10, 2003
Hi there, Mary! I'm glad you brought this up, I don't have a definite answer but my PCP told me the exact thing! I thought he was only stating personal opinions because I had never heard of anything like that. I still have sore spots ( like my ribs and hips) and he did a very thorough examination, couldn't find anything wrong... ran tests, they all came back fine.. and finally said that my bones were getting smaller and how when we're MO, our bones grow to compensate. I went home and told my husband I thought the doctor was nuts. How wrong I am. It's taken me longer to get smaller because I know that I am larger at this size than I was before ( when I was near this weight 13 yrs ago) but certain areas are smaller. Sorry I don't have a definite for you. Vi. open RNY 9/23/02 down 149 lbs.
   — Vi F.

August 10, 2003
I don 't have a scientific answer or anything, but I will tell you that this exact thing is talked about alot on this board. The general consensus is that our weight says one thing (say 180 lbs, for example), but our clothing size says something different (a size 12 for a 180 lb person). It's said to be because of our bone density. I don't think our bones change, but I don't know.
   — thekatinthehat

August 10, 2003
I don't know the answer to the bone density issue, though I suspect it's questionable whether our bones are denser than those of normal folks. But the clothing size thing is largely a function of the manufacturers making clothing sizes with smaller size tags than they used to. A person who used to be a 16 is thrilled to fit into something marked a 10 or a 12 and is more likely to buy it (I know I am, lol!).
   — Suzy C.

August 10, 2003
Bone density is typically decreased only during periods of breast feeding and after menopause. Disease may also cause bone density loss. Overweight people do have higher bone mass due to extra weight on their bones, but I don't think that bone density is lost in excess with weight loss--assuming you get your daily calcium. If you are worried about it you might want to take 1500mg of calcium rather than just 1000mg. Great question, I think researchers will be looking into this since most people that have WLS are women.
   — mdjacobs

August 10, 2003
My surgeon is part of a study of this. MO bones are denser pre op than normal weight folks to support all that excess weight. Post op the density drops, but the study hasnt gone on long enough to show long term results. It does change.
   — bob-haller

August 10, 2003
No one has mentioned the high amount of estrogen that floats in our bodies, men included, from all the fat. It is this fat that prevents the MO from likely ever getting osteoporosis. Lost the fat and you are no longer protected - hence the 1200mg of calcium citrate I must take for the rest of my life. Your bones are strong from carrying the weight but it's the huge amount of circulating estrogen that had protected us. Ever notice how many skinny people have osteoporosis and other bone problems?
   — zoedogcbr

August 10, 2003
I am six months out, have lost 65% of my excess weight according to my surgeon (I was a lightweight to start with), and also just had a bone scan two weeks ago - I have always felt I had "big bones", and my bone density was 129% of "normal", for a "T score" of 1.2 to 1.3. So, denser bones than average. If bone density does decrease post operatively, how quickly does it drop? I AM taking 1500mg per day of Calcium Citrate... just thought this was an interesting thread considering just having gotten the results of my bone scan two days ago...
   — johanniter

August 11, 2003
I, too, just got the results of my bone scan. I had an annual test (the first one when I was about 4 months post-op) and this one about a year later. It showed that I had increased my T-score by .1 percent. Not much, but an increase is definitely better than a decrease and I am above normal for someone my age. Even though I have lost 100 pounds during this same period, I attribute the gain to regular, weight bearing exercise and 1000 milligrams of calcium a day. It is normal for all women after age 30 (or 35,I forget), to have an annual loss of bone density as we age. Keeping our calcium up there and weight bearing exercise help to slow it down.
   — Cindy R.