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 %.

Lynda, thanks for posting about this. I've never had this done, so thanks for the information. I will have to do some research (on insurance coverages,etc.) and I've been waffling about adding in more weight-lifting (I'm more addicted to intense cardio, I like the high after) but like you I haven't found a class on weightlifting alone. One of my weekly classes incorporates weights but I fear it's not enough. I may actually have to go the route of a personal trainer.

Another thanks for posting, it's something I honestly hadn't considered. I'm 32 and it's not something coming up in my appointments because our plan doesn't suggest them until age forty.

I'm terrible about taking my calcium, in particular, because it does make me very sick. Also, the Iron is my huge issue and always has been, so I take it first thing...and often forget to go back a few hours later and take my calcium.

Dang, I better check into my supplements and see what they can do.

And exercise can help?! Ugh...more guilt about my lack of structured exercise.

~Cheri

Just thought I'd report that thanks to Lynda I went and bought some more calcium supplements with Vit D as well. And a new bottle (ran out) of multis.

AND, Lynda, is it wrong to be really addicted to you soft chews that are CHOCOLATE! ?? LOL.

I do only take the two chews, but, boy, are they good! LOL. Now that's what you call really wanting candy/chocolate! Ha!!!!!!

Just thought I'd report that thanks to Lynda I went and bought some more calcium supplements with Vit D as well. And a new bottle (ran out) of multis.

AND' date=' Lynda, is it wrong to be really addicted to you soft chews that are CHOCOLATE! ?? LOL.

I do only take the two chews, but, boy, are they good! LOL. Now that's what you call really wanting candy/chocolate! Ha!!!!!![/quote']

Glad you're taking care with Vitamins and calcium! I see so many newbies say they got this operation so they wouldn't need to take extra vitamins or supplements and it worries me. The blood tests and bone density tests are the only way to find the issues earlier.

I've never tries the candy type calcium supplements (other than a sample at GNC). I'm supposed to be taking 12 citrical a day. For the chews, even the sugar free at 15 calories, it would really add up. I've only managed to get up to 9 citrical a day so far. But I'm working on it.

Glad you're taking care with Vitamins and calcium! I see so many newbies say they got this operation so they wouldn't need to take extra vitamins or supplements and it worries me. The blood tests and bone density tests are the only way to find the issues earlier.

I've never tries the candy type Calcium supplements (other than a sample at GNC). I'm supposed to be taking 12 citrical a day. For the chews' date=' even the sugar free at 15 calories, it would really add up. I've only managed to get up to 9 citrical a day so far. But I'm working on it.[/quote']

Okay, clueless. What's a critical? Vitamin supplements? And if so, what are they. Iwaso Lyon told to take Multi, b12, and calcium

Okay' date=' clueless. What's a critical? Vitamin supplements? And if so, what are they. Iwaso Lyon told to take Multi, b12, and calcium[/quote']

Sorry I meant citracal. It's a brand of calcium supplement. The spell correct is not always our friend!

http://citracal.com/en/about-citracal/citracal-regular/

Sorry I meant citracal. It's a brand of calcium supplement. The spell correct is not always our friend!

http://citracal.com/en/about-citracal/citracal-regular/

Bahahaha. That's a good one. You had me going thinking I was missing something!! Wow! Twelve a day is a lot to get Down. How mich does that provide in calcium?

A crazy amount! It's 500 per tablet. I was taking 6 per day, but my primary care doc said to double the calcium after getting my bone density results. I think I am going to call the bariatric doc for a second opinion.

Lynda

A crazy amount! It's 500 per tablet. I was taking 6 per day' date=' but my primary care doc said to double the calcium after getting my bone density results. I think I am going to call the bariatric doc for a second opinion.

Lynda[/quote']

Well, two chews would give you 1200 so you could do 6 easy chocolate and only be 90 cals. Might be worth the small cal count.

That is interesting to know.

I currently take 1500 mg a day of BA chews (caramel - yum!), but may have to double based on your empirical results?

My WW scale does bone density.

I am not sure how accurate it is, but it is consistently giving me values that average around 8.0. This value appears to be in range of good bone mass according to the documented range of 7.4-8.2 based upon my age of 37:

http://www.wholesalepoint.com/documents/WeightWatchers-WW66.pdf

Your thoughts?

That is interesting to know.

I currently take 1500 mg a day of BA chews (caramel - yum!)' date=' but may have to double based on your empirical results?

My WW scale does bone density.

I am not sure how accurate it is, but it is consistently giving me values that average around 8.0. This value appears to be in range of good bone mass according to the documented range of 7.4-8.2 based upon my age of 37:

http://www.wholesalepoint.com/documents/WeightWatchers-WW66.pdf

Your thoughts?[/quote']

Now remember, Fiddle, lyndas and mine is Post Menopausal!

That is interesting to know.

I currently take 1500 mg a day of BA chews (caramel - yum!)' date=' but may have to double based on your empirical results?

My WW scale does bone density.

I am not sure how accurate it is, but it is consistently giving me values that average around 8.0. This value appears to be in range of good bone mass according to the documented range of 7.4-8.2 based upon my age of 37:

http://www.wholesalepoint.com/documents/WeightWatchers-WW66.pdf

Your thoughts?[/quote']

My program recommends 3000 per day of calcium citrate. Preferably in three doses of two tabs each but if you can't remember the lunchtime dose, they recommend going with three tabs twice per day.

Georgia is right that we are post menopausal, but that 3000 per day is for everyone.

Lynda

I definitely do not mind chewing on two 500 calcium citrate chews for 3 meals a day rather than one. It is my one sweet I have that resembles candy.

I definitely do not mind chewing on two 500 calcium citrate chews for 3 meals a day rather than one. It is my one sweet I have that resembles candy.

Amen!

I've been looking into calcium from milk and lots of stuff I've read says milk actually causes our body to lose calcium. Crazy I know since as children we are taught that drinking milk is good. The stuff I've studied says its better to get it from grains ,fruit and vegetables.