RE: newsletter about Bone Disease from Gastric Bypass

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Sheila! Great information there. I had heard about Mason's

letter, but hadn't seen in yet.

When I had my one-year bloodwork done, they took a parathyroid hormone level

(PTH). The normal range tops out at 60, and my number was at 80.

Interestingly enough, this is the only level out of over a dozen things they

checked that wasn't in the normal range! My iron, vitamins, cholesterol,

etc... all that was good! But, I hadn't been as diligent in taking my extra

calcium as I should have been, and my bloodwork told the tale.

My PTH level of 80 isn't too alarming, according to Delphine, who says they

don't get too concerned unless they see it reaching 110 and beyond. But she

advised me to starting taking an extra calcium tablet each day, and we'll

check my PTH again in six months. I was only taking one 630mg Citracal + D a

day, plus the prenatal which has 250mg of calcium in it (plus I regularly

consume milk, cheese and yogurt too) Now, I've added another Citracal + D

each day, and I'm being religious about taking them and not missing like I

sometimes did in the past!

Delphine wants me to make sure I get no less than 1800mg calcium per day, so

between the two Citracal, the prenatal, and the foods, I should be there

now.

I went ahead and ordered some of the Cal-apatite tablets, since it's

reportedly much more absorbable than any other form of calcium. As soon as

that arrives, I'll be switching to Cal-apatite instead of Citracal.

M.

---

in Fremont, CA, age 38

Starting weight 299, now 178

Starting BMI 49.7, now 29.6

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10-19-99

http://www.duodenalswitch.com

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

[Guest guest]

This is a wonderfully written study and not only reminds us of the

importance of supliments, but of follow-up visits with our PCP as well!!!

Thank you for posting it!!!

~hugs~

Rabecca, Portland OR

Dr Baltasar, Spain

To be switched in June, 2001

BMI 38

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/30/00 11:06:01 PM, duodenalswitchegroups writes:

Wow - this is an excellent article! Thanks for sharing it. I just wonder why

results for the BPD/DS aren't even mentioned! I've found this to be true

in a lot of research or mention of the surgery -- the BPD is mentioned, but

NEVER the BPD/DS!!!! Why is that? I mean, HEss did a long term study -

why isn't the BPD/DS mentioned or AT LEAST the fact that the exclusion

of the duodenum and proximal jejunum (as with RNY)

IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH BPD/DS???

<< However, gastric bypass provides the same

exclusion of the duodenum and proximal jejunum from the digestive

tract, creating malabsorption of calcium and iron.

Metabolic bone disease has been a concern in the treatment of obesity

with malabsorption operations since the introduction of intestinal

bypass. Halverson et al found bone biopsy evidence of osteomalacia

46 to 79 months after intestinal bypass but subsequent biopsies

revealed a return to normal.2 Bano et al observed a greater

reduction in bone mineral density for men than women 15 years after

intestinal bypass.3 Scopinaro4 found changes following

biliopancreatic diversion that were similar to those observed after

Billroth II gastric resection.5 Bone pain attributed to

demineralization occurred in 6% of patients following BPD, usually

between the second and fifth year. There was a prompt response to

the administration of calcium and vitamin D. Scopinaro's practice

plan provides life-long follow-up, monitoring and preventive

treatment. He reported bone disease was a rare complication after 10-

20 years. >>

That's great --- but what about Hess and all the other doctors who now

perform the BPD/DS????????????????????

I was wondering - do you subscribe to this newsletter? Is it specific to

bariatric

surgerY? Do you have a link or an address? I'm really interested in getting

this! Many thanks.

All the best,

initial consult with Dr. Gagner, Nov. 15 - can't wait! :)