Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

2 year post-op bone density scan results



Recommended Posts

My program recommends an annual bone scan, because it's the only way to find out if your body is cannibalizing your bones for Calcium in your blood stream. Your Calcium must be extremely low to show in a blood test, because your body will just leach it from your bones to make up for what you are not getting.

I missed getting this done the first year somehow, so last month, I got my first bone density scan post-op. It's also my first one post-menopause, so not sure how much change is due to that and how much can be blamed on WLS. Last scan was in 2005. I am already walking 4 days a week, so plenty of weight bearing exercise. And I am taking the amount of Vitamin D and Calcium recommended by the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program, which is 4000iu of Vitamin D per day (800 from 2 Multivitamins + 1500iu from calcium plus D + 2000iu Vitamin D tablet) and 1500 mg a day total of calcium citrate. I was taking the calcium twice per day (3 tablets each time), but I am going to switch to taking it three times per day (2 tablets each time). So we will see what next year brings.

Here's the scoop on the scan:

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to obtain bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using the Hologic Discovery bone densitometry unit. For each BMD measurement, Z and T scores are calculated. Z score represents the number of standard deviations of the patient's BMD from expected age matched values. T score represents the number of standard deviations of the patient's BMD from the average peak BMD value at age 30. A FRAX score has also been calculated using the LEFT FEMORAL NECK data.

OSTEOPENIA is defined as a T score from -1.0 to -2.4 representing an INCREASED fracture risk.

OSTEOPOROSIS is defined as a T score more negative than -2.4 and represents a HIGH fracture risk.

T score: Fracture risk comparison to gender and ethnicity matched 30-year-old.

0 = Average risk

-1 = 2 times the risk

-2 = 4 times the risk

-3 = 8 times the risk

LUMBAR SPINE:

BMD = 0.843 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -1.9

Z score = -0.7

LEFT HIP TOTAL:

BMD = 0.855 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -0.7

Z score = 0

LEFT FEMORAL NECK

BMD = 0.657 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -1.7

Z score = -0.6

** IMPRESSION **:

1. Bone mineral density in the LUMBAR SPINE is in the Osteopenic range. Compared to the prior study, there is significant change.The bone mineral density has decreased by -15.0 %.

2. Bone mineral density in the LEFT HIP is in the Normal range. Compared to the prior study, there is significant change. The bone mineral density has decreased by -23.3 %.

3. Based on FRAX, the 10 year probability of hip fracture is 1.0 %.

4. Based on FRAX, the 10 year probability of major osteoporotic fracture is 9.2 %.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hmm. Did they tell you to increase Calcium etc? So from that I gleaned your spinal fracture possibility increased (next 9 years) and your mineral density decreased on both hop and lumbar spine?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hmm. Did they tell you to increase Calcium etc? So from that I gleaned your spinal fracture possibility increased (next 9 years) and your mineral density decreased on both hop and lumbar spine?

Yes, that's right. Doctor said to add weights to my exercise routine and double the amount of calcium I'm taking if it doesn't upset my stomach.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I need to have it done NOW. At three years out, I am not doing well at taking Calcium. I need to see if I have been affected. Did your insurance cover it?

I had one prior to WLS and was fine so need to check it out now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had pre op dexa scan and two year follow up scan. I hadn't lost any density and am still in the normal to high normal range for my perimenopausal age (46). I take only one calcium citrate cap per day, which I'd thought was 500 but now believe is only 250. However, I do a lot of strength training in the gym and I eat dairy nonstop cos its my favorite food group lol. But...that all said, I'm a pretty big boned girl and the docs have always said that is an advantage vis a vis bone density, so I think genetics play a big role in this. But yes, do some weight lifting with a trainer who knows bone issues, I'm betting it would help a lot!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

PS, I know walking is for sure a weight-bearing exercise, but might not be enough weight to bear as you are so tiny? Have you considered to walk with ankle weights or weighted backpack?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I need to have it done NOW. At three years out' date=' I am not doing well at taking Calcium. I need to see if I have been affected. Did your insurance cover it?

I had one prior to WLS and was fine so need to check it out now.[/quote']

Yes, but I still had to pay around $400 out of pocket. I have a Kaiser Nor Cal individual plan with $1500 deductible, which i haven't met this year, and 3k max out of pocket.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had pre op dexa scan and two year follow up scan. I hadn't lost any density and am still in the normal to high normal range for my perimenopausal age (46). I take only one calcium citrate cap per day' date=' which I'd thought was 500 but now believe is only 250. However, I do a lot of strength training in the gym and I eat dairy nonstop cos its my favorite food group lol. But...that all said, I'm a pretty big boned girl and the docs have always said that is an advantage vis a vis bone density, so I think genetics play a big role in this. But yes, do some weight lifting with a trainer who knows bone issues, I'm betting it would help a lot![/quote']

I'm going to do what the doctor asked. I'm now post-menopausal so I ascribe some of the loss to that. I had stronger than average bones per-op.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, Swizzly, I ought to be okay as I am 5' 7" and larger framed. :). My exercise of choice (except my Gazelle) is walking. I'm going to get my Calcium out and start taking. I just had blood work done in early July. Vit D was only thing a little low. I don't remember if calcium shows up on that or not.

Lynda, you ARE tiny and I am jealous. LoL.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Georgia, I'm just slightly shorter than you I think. About 5' 6.5 or so. ;-)

My scans were included in my overall program which all gets somehow billed to insurance differently to a one off scan at a clinic or so. So I didn't have out of pocket cost for mine, but do have 1500 annual deductible which I've usually already reached by like April each year lol.

Lynda, do you already belong to a gym or is the doc anyhow sending you to physio? Meaning, will the treatment be covered by insurance too? Did s/he prescribe Calcium so you can get that covered too?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Georgia' date=' I'm just slightly shorter than you I think. About 5' 6.5 or so. ;-)

My scans were included in my overall program which all gets somehow billed to insurance differently to a one off scan at a clinic or so. So I didn't have out of pocket cost for mine, but do have 1500 annual deductible which I've usually already reached by like April each year lol.

Lynda, do you already belong to a gym or is the doc anyhow sending you to physio? Meaning, will the treatment be covered by insurance too? Did s/he prescribe Calcium so you can get that covered too?[/quote']

No he just said to add weights to my routine, which I know I should be doing. Just been slacking on that because I haven't found an early am class and I hate exercising on my own. But fear of bad bones will probably be motivation enough. He also didn't prescribe the Calcium, just said to double it.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

PS' date=' I know walking is for sure a weight-bearing exercise, but might not be enough weight to bear as you are so tiny? Have you considered to walk with ankle weights or weighted backpack?[/quote']

Well I am we'll within normal range, but no matter you're size, what's recommended is weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, that makes you work against gravity while staying upright and muscle-strengthening exercise, such as weight lifting, that makes you work against gravity in a standing, sitting, or prone position.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well' date=' Swizzly, I ought to be okay as I am 5' 7" and larger framed. :). My exercise of choice (except my Gazelle) is walking. I'm going to get my Calcium out and start taking. I just had blood work done in early July. Vit D was only thing a little low. I don't remember if calcium shows up on that or not.

Lynda, you ARE tiny and I am jealous. LoL.[/quote']

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had pre op dexa scan and two year follow up scan. I hadn't lost any density and am still in the normal to high normal range for my perimenopausal age (46). I take only one calcium citrate cap per day' date=' which I'd thought was 500 but now believe is only 250. However, I do a lot of strength training in the gym and I eat dairy nonstop cos its my favorite food group lol. But...that all said, I'm a pretty big boned girl and the docs have always said that is an advantage vis a vis bone density, so I think genetics play a big role in this. But yes, do some weight lifting with a trainer who knows bone issues, I'm betting it would help a lot![/quote']

Swizzly, I'd up your Calcium. I eat Greek yogurt daily, walk 4 days per week, had been strength training for several years ( recently slacked on this though) and had much better than average bones. Women can suffer a sharp bone loss post-menopause, even without WLS, which is a known contributing factor, even with good habits.

Lynda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I will take more Calcium now I think, thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×