Question:
Does gastric bypass surgery (proximal Roux-n-Y) make osteoporosis much worse?

I am preop and just found out that I am heading for osteoporosis. Doc says that without treatment, I would have developed it about 2 years after bypass and after 4 years without bypass. I cancelled my surgery date until I can see a couple of osteoporosis specialists to confirm that surgery would be safe for me. One of them had me get extensive tests. I find out the results tomorrow. My concern is whether bypass surgery would hasten my development of osteoporosis (WITH treatment) or whether there are treatments that would probably prevent it. I also wonder whether surgery would greatly exacerbate osteoporosis once it developed and what this would mean, in terms of symptoms. I will reschedule the surgery once I get clearance from these 2 doctors and feel confident that the surgery would not catapult me into a wheelchair. I want to make sure it would not leave me at much greater risk, provided I protect myself properly.    — Susan S. (posted on December 2, 2002)

December 1, 2002
I understand your concern and you are right to be careful. Personally I would'nt let this stop you from having WLS as I think the other health problems of carrying the extra weight are probally worse than Osteoporsosis (sp?). Having said that I had a Dexa bone scan at 8 months post op as I have lived on ONLY pop since I was four and can see my Mom has the disease. I kind of figured I do. Sure enough I do have the beginning of it. I've asked some doctors (I go to a clinic and get whatever doc is there at the time) and asked what I can take to prevent it from going farther. They avoid my questions. I probally should call my surgeon's office, yet they never have time for me. So I never call them for problems. The woman who works for him always acts like there are a hundred other calls coming in and who the blank am I to bother them. Perhaps it is'nt meant that way but that is "exactly" the impression I get. And I don't think it is just an impression. I too am worried and wish I knew what in heck to do. I can't find a chewable calcium citrate (so far anyway) so there is another thing that will probally worsen this. Having said this, I'm still glad I had WLS. I hope we both get some answers to help us.
   — Danmark

December 2, 2002
There are chewable calcium citrates on the market (TwinLabs) as well as capsules (www.bodybuilding.com) and also liquid (www.vitaminworld.com). There are plenty of options out there. Also, there are some new drugs on the market to help rebuild bone (Fosamax, Actonel, & Evista). I hope you can find a dr that will listen and do something about it before it gets to be a problem!
   — ctyst

December 3, 2002
I am not a doctor but if I was in your situation I would go thru with the bypass anyway. When the osteo does start taking affect you will be on high doses of Calcium. With the surgery you wont be dealing with the osteo. as a mo person but much healthier in other aspects and your medication will work much better. I think that it might help to get the surgery also because since a mo person has to carry a larger frame their bone structure is thicker maybe with treatment and the xtra calcium that will ward somme of it off. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless, Lahoma
   — Lahoma C.