Geoffroy M, et al. - Via an observational study of 110 patients at a specialized center for obesity treatment at the University Hospital of Reims, France, researchers investigated the incidence of clinically significant bone mineral density (BMD) loss at 6 and 12 months following bariatric surgery. Using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), they measured surface BMD; a reduction of > 0.03 g/cm² was clinically significant. Over 60% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery displayed a clinically significant reduction in BMD at 6 months after surgery, and over 70% at 12 months. The BMD loss was mostly at the femoral level, and was strongly associated with weight loss. Findings suggest systematic vitamin and calcium supplementation, as well as follow-up by DEXA scan as appropriate. They support performing systematic DEXA scan pre- and post-surgery, and annually thereafter until weight has stabilized.