Question:
Question on Calcium
I am 13.5 months post-op and have lost 177 lbs. (thank you, thank you, no applause necessary). Anyway, my question is about calcium. I have heard from both my doctor and many people on this board that the part of the intestine bypassed with a RNY is the part that absorbs calcium. This is rather frightening, especially if you have a family history of osteoporosis. I currently take 1200 mg. of supplemental calcium (citrate) per day. I also try to drink 1-2 glasses of milk per day. What else should I be doing? I understand a "Dexascan" is the only way to truly tell if you have a calcium shortage, but insurance won't pay for this test for a healthy 29 year-old woman. Why am I so worried? I have broken 2 teeth in the last 6 months! This never happened to me pre-surgery. Any ideas? — Terissa R. (posted on April 24, 2002)
April 24, 2002
I was told to take 1500 mg of calcium citrate per day, however, I'm 49 yrs.
old. I would say to check what the dosage is for "normies" and
up it, maybe even double. The other thing is that milk has a lot of
calories and sugar, even FF milk, and recent reports state that the calcium
benefits of milk are not what we originally thought they were. Many people
may disagree with that statement, but for the calorie and sugar content
alone, you might want to think about changing those 1-2 glasses of milk to
water or some other FF, SF low-cal beverage? Just a suggestion.
— Leslie F.
April 24, 2002
Hi Terrissa,
I am 17 mo post op.. open RNY.. and 48 years old. I take calcium
citrate... 500 mg x 5 .. so about 2500 mg daily.. I have a hx of
osteoporosis in my family too.. and my dexascan is normal so far.. If your
doctor puts on the request for dexascan osteopenia,.. which is bone loss
from rapid weight loss, your insurance should cover the cost of the test. I
think the test itself is about $200 or less..
would be worth the investment to see where your bone density is now..
Take care
Hugs,
— Gina Landers
April 24, 2002
I don't know the answer to your question, but I did hear something alarming
the other day. Someone told me that you need to take calcium carbonate
because it is the carbonate that lets your body absorb the calcium. I
don't know if that is true, but it scares the heck outta me since I stay
<b>very</b> far away from calcium carbonate since I had a
kidney stone.
— Jennifer Y.
April 24, 2002
I work at a hospital and we charge 376.00 for a dexa scan plus the
radiologist charge which is between 40-70 dollars. In Illinois this test
could run you well over 400.00 dollars. I don't know anything about the
calcium just thought I would give you a more realistic cost. Good luck.
— Dawn L.
April 24, 2002
This is for Jennifer L...it's not calcium carbonate which is better
absorbed, it's calcium citrate.
— Leslie F.
April 24, 2002
Hmm, I don't know either way. The woman who told me that said her doctor
told her that. Maybe she just got confused. *I hope so*
— Jennifer Y.
April 24, 2002
There is some debate on whether calcium carbonate or calcium citrate is
better for post-wls people. I know that the dietician I saw was pretty
insistent on our using calcium citrate. However, I asked the National
Osteoporosis Foundation about it, and they basically said they couldn't
give me an answer. There are probably not enough people who are long term
post op from WLS to be able to determine it scientifically.
— garw
April 24, 2002
It might help to have your doctor write a letter of medical necessity for
you to have the bone scan. While it normally wouldn't be approved for
someone your age, I would think that the fact that you have had WLS would
make a case for an exception to that.
— garw
Click Here to Return