Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obesity Discussion]

Bariatric surgery complications

The Mayo Clinic recently did a study on 97 people who had bariatric surgery over a 20 year period to test for changes to their bones. The study was mostly women with an average age in the mid 40s. 21 of the 97 people reported bone fractures, a total of 31 fractures reported. Compared to a group who didn't have surgery, the obesity surgery group was 1.8 times more likely to have a first time break than the other group. Feet fractures were 4 times more likely and hand fractures 3 times more likely among the group that had surgery versus the group that didn't.

I wonder if these bariatric surgery complications are due to the drastic weight loss or a deficiency in vitamins/minerals?

[monique]

I bet both! Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a known side effect of changing the digestive process in weight loss surgeries, and I bet calcium is one of the minerals in question, and losing too fast can cause bone loss as well. It's just not a healthy way to lose.

Meanwhile better nutrition improves vitamin and mineral amounts, and exercise, especially weight training, improves bone density!

~Monique

[johnita36]

I completely agree with you Monique I just think WLS is just not a very safe way to loose. I think there's too much that can go wrong and happen post-op it just can't be good the way you're not going to be getting enough vitamins and nutrition in general by the changes to the digestive system. I think the only safe and success way to loose weight is healthy eating and exercise and make it a lifestyle change not just a "diet". I for one couldn't handle dieting my whole life, but I know I can keep up healthy eating.


Johnita

[SheaGrl]

Good study. I also think that not enough calcium, vitamins and minerals are taken in after surgery. It seems like the focus is often "what can I eat now and how much of it" and not eating a healthy, balanced diet.

[MichaelB]

Ditto all of the above. Reduced caloric intake is obviously the focus (because intake is so drastically reduced) and not proper amount of vitamins and minerals. I'm surprised doctors wouldn't be insisting on supplements to ensure they're getting enough of everything required.

Really too bad they're more prone to bone fractures. Definitely another reason to avoid weight loss surgery.

[Thaddeus]

After surgery I was told that I MUST have 1500 mg of Calcium CITRATE (not carbonate) daily. For the rest of my life, and in addition to the daily multivitamin. Another supplement is B12 (sub-lingual).

[monique]

That's good Thaddeus, I guess it's a known issue now and being compensated for? Hopefully the results in the study were not for those already taking calcium. I have heard that calcium supplements are not as effectively absorbed as dietary calcium, so I hope you're including calcium from foods in your diet as well. Also vitamins D helps you use calcium too.

~Monique

[Thaddeus]

From what I know:
1. Calcium Carbonate requires acidic environment to be absorbed - and that is not available in the 'pouch'. Therefore only Calcium Citrate.
2. Daily 1500 mg, but spread out throughout the day. Do not take more than 500mg at once - it will not be absorbed.
3. Do not take with multivitamin - specially Iron.
4. D3 helps.
Thaddeus

[Jasmine130]

Originally Posted by Thaddeus

From what I know:
1. Calcium Carbonate requires acidic environment to be absorbed - and that is not available in the 'pouch'. Therefore only Calcium Citrate.
2. Daily 1500 mg, but spread out throughout the day. Do not take more than 500mg at once - it will not be absorbed.
3. Do not take with multivitamin - specially Iron.
4. D3 helps.
Thaddeus

Exactly Thaddeus....plus 5., a 15-minute dose of sunshine per day to help with the D3.

I take my calcium citrate and iron like my meals and snacks: 3 "meals" of calcium citrate interspersed with 2 "snacks" of iron. Of course, I do eat 3 real meals and 2 or 3 real snacks every day

[Jasmine130]

Originally Posted by Thaddeus

After surgery I was told that I MUST have 1500 mg of Calcium CITRATE (not carbonate) daily. For the rest of my life, and in addition to the daily multivitamin. Another supplement is B12 (sub-lingual).

Thanks Thaddeus for replying!

All the bariatric surgeons and surgery centers I'm aware of absolutely insist on a full supplement plan, tailored to the type of weight loss surgery done.

Also complete labs twice a year (some require once a year). I just got a note from my surgeon to please have blood drawn for the following:

CBC,diff, platelets
PT, INR, PTT
Iron
Total iron binding cap
Ferritin
Transferrin
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Carbon dioxide
BUN
Creatinine
Glucose
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Albumin
Total protein
Bilirubin (total)
AST
ALT
Alkaline phosphates
Carnitine
Folate (serum/RBC)
Chromium
Selenium
Zinc
Vit A
Vit B1
VitB6
Vit B12
Vit D
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
LDL
VLDL
HDL
PTH
TSH
Hemoglobin A1c
Homocysteine

Prior to my annual checkup with him. This will be 26 vials of blood

So we're really on top of things!

[monique]

OMG 26 vials of blood?! Can you get that much drawn at once or would you faint?

I worry about the whole iron and calcium not at the same time thing. My thyroid meds aren't supposed to be taken within 3 hours of iron OR calcium, but then you're supposed to take calcium and iron separately too. Plus my prenatal vitamins are supposed to be taken 3 times a day with meals but breakfast has to be at least an hour before or 2 hours after the thyroid meds.

I just hope there is some leeway on these things and I'll still get SOME benefits from my vitamins if I screw up.

~Monique

[Jasmine130]

Originally Posted by monique

OMG 26 vials of blood?! Can you get that much drawn at once or would you faint?
~Monique

It's more of an annoyance really. So long as I drink plenty of water beforehand, the blood fills the vials pretty quickly and off I go. All at once, and no fainting.