Researchers performed a retrospective case review of 61 adolescents following bariatric surgery. They measured whole-body bone mineral content and density before surgery, when possible, and every three months after surgery for two years.
Results showed significant decreases in whole-body BMC and BMD after surgery. Weight loss was responsible for 14 percent of the decrease in BMC in the first year post-surgery.
The authors suggest that though predicted bone density was age-appropriate for two years after surgery, additional studies should assess more long-term bone mass changes in adolescents after bariatric surgery.
Read the Pediatrics abstract on bone loss in adolescents after gastric bypass surgery.
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