Are you considering weight loss surgery? Or, have you already undergone a procedure? Either way, you need to “bone up” on certain health-related matters. A growing body of research shows that overweight and/or obese patients need to be informed of the long-term condition of their bones.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, it was shown that after weight loss surgery, patients are more likely to lose bone density. The researchers also noted that the greater the weight lost, the greater the bone density lost.

Exploring the Bone Density Study’s Findings

In the study, the researchers focused on 23 men and women who had undergone a popular weight loss procedure, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. With this procedure, the surgeons are able to avoid part of the small intestine known as the duodenum; this is the body’s main site of calcium absorption.

• Pre-surgery, the patients’ vitamin D blood levels were found to be less than ideal, although nutrient intake was considered high.
• Post-surgery, it was found that the patients doubled their calcium intake, and consumed 2.6 times more vitamin D. Additionally, their vitamin D blood levels remained low, and their calcium blood levels decreased.
• Within three months after surgery, they expressed signs of poor calcium absorption. Before undergoing surgery, the patients’ levels of parathyroid hormone — responsible for the bones’ release of calcium — had been in the high normal range; post-surgery, these levels actually increased.
• One year after surgery, the patients lost an average of 99 pounds. As for their levels of bone density, their upper thigh bones’ density had lost 9.2%, and their hip bone density fell 8%. Most of the subjects showed no loss of bone density in their lower backs or forearms.

It’s thought that the decreased bone density may be due to the fact that as heavy amounts of weight are lost, the bones bear much less weight. However, weight-bearing is considered a leading component in the maintenance and structure of bone strength. The higher secretion of parathyroid hormone levels may also contribute to these lower bone density levels.

Following bariatric surgery, patients are left with a smaller area in their gut to absorb nutrients from their food. Researchers theorize that these procedures may be harmful to bone and mineral metabolism. The association between decreased bone density and future fractures was unclear. Nevertheless, medical professionals advise bariatric patients to stay alert for nutritional deficiencies and bone loss, both before and after their procedures.