Hey everyone,

I've had bilateral Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) with my latest successful surgery in August 2024, 15 years after my first one , and I'm now exploring the intersection of this with gastric bypass surgery. I'm trying to understand how gastric bypass, and its known impact on bone density, might affect the long-term success of my BHR implants, especially the femoral component.

My research has highlighted some pretty significant findings regarding bone loss post-gastric bypass:

• It's often an "inevitable consequence" of the surgery, even with diligent supplement use.

• We're talking about potential declines of 5-10% in the spine and 8-11% in the hip within the first couple of years, with some areas of the hip potentially seeing up to 20% loss by year 5.

• Older patients, in particular, show even more pronounced decreases.

Has anyone here had both BHR and gastric bypass? I would be incredibly grateful if you could share your journey and insights. Specifically:

• What was your experience with bone density changes?

• What monitoring or interventions have you had (e.g., DEXA scans, specific medications, diet changes)?

• Any concerns or issues with your BHR implants since your gastric bypass?

Your real-world experiences are invaluable. Let's start a conversation and learn from each other!

I can’t offer any advice or share any experiences with bypass &/or BHR, but has a 60 year old woman I am familiar with bone loss.

Besides beefing up your weight bearing activities, increasing your calcium & vitamin D intake, decreasing caffeine & alcohol intake, there are many medications available that retain and help to rebuild your bones. It may be worth having conversations with your doctors about these and if they are options for you. Search osteoporosis and osteopenia medications. I have a few girlfriends on these medications. One had quite significant bone growth. Don’t think these are only for women, as they are prescribed to men too. I have a male cousin whose bone density is concerning. He has been advised if calcium supplements and weight bearing exercises to build bone aren’t successful, medications will be the next step.

I have been fortunate especially, with my age, not consuming a lot of calcium rich foods for years (lactose sensitivity) not taking supplements (still don’t take calcium), & having an malabsorption issue (since my gall removal), I haven’t experienced any bone loss. Genetics, being on HRT for 9 years have helped I think, plus use of resistance bands and increasing my calcium rich food intake since my sleeve,

Hopefully others will have some personal experiences to share.

PS - in Australia we advised to have specific bone density scans not dexa. Same machine but different parameters/settings. DXA tends to be the term used for bone density scans & the reports are more detailed about your bones, while dexa are for more general body composition including muscle & fat. DXA scans are covered by our Medicare (if criteria is met) & you need a doctor’s referral but dexa scans are not covered & you don’t need a doctor’s referral.

Edited November 5, 2025Nov 5 by Arabesque

18 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I can’t offer any advice or share any experiences with bypass &/or BHR, but has a 60 year old woman I am familiar with bone loss.

Besides beefing up your weight bearing activities, increasing your calcium & vitamin D intake, decreasing caffeine & alcohol intake, there are many medications available that retain and help to rebuild your bones. It may be worth having conversations with your doctors about these and if they are options for you. Search osteoporosis and osteopenia medications. I have a few girlfriends on these medications. One had quite significant bone growth. Don’t think these are only for women, as they are prescribed to men too. I have a male cousin whose bone density is concerning. He has been advised if calcium supplements and weight bearing exercises to build bone aren’t successful, medications will be the next step.

I have been fortunate especially, with my age, not consuming a lot of calcium rich foods for years (lactose sensitivity) not taking supplements (still don’t take calcium), & having an malabsorption issue (since my gall removal), I haven’t experienced any bone loss. Genetics, being on HRT for 9 years have helped I think, plus use of resistance bands and increasing my calcium rich food intake since my sleeve,

Hopefully others will have some personal experiences to share.

PS - in Australia we advised to have specific bone density scans not dexa. Same machine but different parameters/settings. DXA tends to be the term used for bone density scans & the reports are more detailed about your bones, while dexa are for more general body composition including muscle & fat. DXA scans are covered by our Medicare (if criteria is met) & you need a doctor’s referral but dexa scans are not covered & you don’t need a doctor’s referral.

Great info, give me places to turn next. Thanks for the reply!