Bone Fracture Risk After Surgery

According to new research that was presented at the Endocrine Society’s 91^st Annual Meeting, patients who undergo weight loss surgery may have an increased risk of sustaining a bone fracture, especially in the hands and feet.

Understanding Your Bone Fracture Risk

This risk is largely due to the fact that people who undergo bariatric surgery are at a higher overall risk of nutritional deficiencies. Since bariatric surgery reduces your body’s ability to effectively absorb nutrients from food, patients need to faithfully take specific supplements in order to keep their vitamin levels in a healthy range.

Researchers believe that another contributing factor is the increased rate of bone turnover caused by bariatric surgery. Your bones are in a continual state of change; some bone cells will dissolve while others experience regrowth. Bone turnover is natural, but if the rate is too rapid, your new cells might not be able to keep up with the dissolution of your old cells. This can leave your bones brittle and more prone to fractures.

Protecting Your Bones After Bariatric Surgery

In order to reduce your risk of bone fracture post-surgery, there are three main steps you can take:

• Supplements – Vitamin D and calcium supplements may be necessary in order to maintain the health and strength of your bones after surgery. Dr. Dahiya and his team will first work with you to establish a post-surgery diet that is rich in calcium and minerals, and then recommend the appropriate amount of supplements to take in addition to your diet.
• Exercise – Aerobic exercise (such as walking, running, and strength training) is an important way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. Dr. Dahiya will advise you on when it is safe to engage in exercise after your surgery, and how much exercise is best.
• Screening – Undergoing regular screening tests for bone mineral density is a good way of keeping track of bone health. If screening reveals that you have a low bone mass or osteoporosis, Dr. Dahiya can prescribe you medications that will help.

If you have further questions about bone health and bariatric surgery, please contact experienced bariatric surgeon Dr. Shyam Dahiya today to schedule a free consultation. We can answer any questions or concerns you have about weight loss surgery.