Question:
Has anyone experienced any bone loss or other metabolic problems post surgery?

Family physicians feels that my recent diagnosis of degenerative joint disease, hypothyrodism, osteoarthritis may be related to surgery. Does anyone know of this or where I might go to have evaluation of conditions.    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 2, 2000)

September 2, 2000
Ava, thank you for your response. I had long-limb by-pass surgery 9 years ago. Yes, I take my vitamins and minerals.
   — Margaret S.

September 2, 2000
Hey, Melanie, how'd you know I'd be here eventually? I'm coming up on 6 yrs out and was just diagnosed with oste-porosis. I have not yet had my follow up with the doc to see if this is a slow thing, been going on for 10 yrs or if it is related to surgery. I was (believe it or not) the queen of milk consumption before surgery and have taken my calcium faithfully ever since. However, it appears that (if I can simplify), we put calcium into our "bank" until young adulthood. Then we begin taking it out, with caffaine, carbonation (guilt!) and some meds. So, looks like I mighta been doomed, no matter what I did. I'm very thankful to have succumbed to the power of suggestion and had the bone density scan done NOW, rather than later. It IS in my family and I am old, so at this telling, I don't know how related it is to my surgery. I do know the calcium I was taking probably was not adequate (citrate is the only one for me NOW), and I did ask my doc to add the DXA-scan to pre-op work ups and maybe 1 yr post-op, or whatever they advise. But GET IT DONE!
   — vitalady

September 3, 2000
Hi: I had my DEX-A scan done last year, and it was positive for osteoporsis in my hips. I am taking Evista now, and will have a repeat DEX-A scan done next year. Now it is the problem of tying all of these problems together and come up with a multi-disciplinary plan to keep me doing the things I enjoy. Margaret S.
   — Margaret S.

December 22, 2000
My mother, found under peers, PEGGY WOODSON in Louisiana... had her surgery about five years ago and is experience bone loss/osteoporosis... I'm working on having this surgery and took her with me to ask my doctor about it. Dr. Hahn in Orange TX. He says that the first part of the intestine digests and distributes calcium and that since the surgery bypasses that part of the intestine, you have to take extra, and that this is a common experience of those who had theirs done a while back and weren't told to take EXTRA precaution. Just figured I'd put my two cents in. thanks and good luck hon.
   — Laura T.