Question: Is there a link between Kidney Stones and us?

Just noticing the number of us that have had Kidney Stones post GBP.  Does anyone know if there is a link between an increased chance of Kidney Stones and our population?

Personally, I've had stones 2x in the past, both pre-GBP.  I was a little concerned with all the calcium I'm now taking.

Any thoughts?

-GD

Well last month my butt landed in the ER twice because of kidney stones...The doctors in the Er and the Urologist both told me there is an increased chance of them for WLS surgery patients but not everyone will get them. The first ER doctor seemed more in tune with WLS side effects but said it may happen this once and never again.  

They told me a cause can be from the rapid weight loss along with body changes .
My little Kit the Kidney stone (as I named him)is at the lab as we speak getting analyzed to see what caused his birth in my kidney and when the results are in I will let you know.

I got mine at 9 months out from surgery and well I can tell you Dennis also had kidney stones at about 9 months out....

Hope this helps! 

aww it took 9 months for the baby Kit to form - too cute! Glad that he is gone now of course though! lol

*hugs* he better not have left any siblings behind either!

Liz

Gastric bypass surgery can lead to changes in the chemicals  of urine that can favor the formation of kidney stones.

*increase in the level of oxalate-a chemical that increases kidney stone risk by binding to calcium.

*reduced  levels of citrate  (plays an important role in dissolving crystals that can lead to kidney stones.)


Sorry................ I work for Nephrologists so I deal with urine and kidney issues all day. LOL

Can you asks your collegues what can "we" do to attempt to counter these effects?  Does drinking lotsa water to keep your system flushed help reduce the risk in our population as well?  Yet, perhaps, another reason to drink our water...

Hey Greg,
As Beth mentioned I had my stone experience too and it's not to be forgotten. Some of the most intense pain I ever had. However, it's been 3 years I haven't had another one. Granted my stone was of the calcium oxalate variety and although I haven't lessened my calcium intake I do avoid high oxalate foods as well as see the urologist annually for a kidney stone disease test. Plenty of liquids do help a lot.

Below is my last update on the subject from 2006:

 

Hello Everyone,

Many of you may recall my kidney stone attack last December just before Christmas. It was not a gift I was expecting and I wouldn't wi**** on anyone. That pain will not be forgotten, but I was well taken care of and I recovered and today I'm doing fine. I saw my urologist a few weeks ago to review the results of a kidney stone disease test to determine my abiity to produce these troublesome critters. The stone that was retrieved back in December was of the calcium oxalate variety. For the test done back in April I had 2 - 24 hour urine collections followed by a blood draw collected soon after the 2nd urine collection was completed. A small sample from each urine collection along with a vial of blood is air-expressed to the Litholink Lab in Chicago. In a few weeks the results are sent to your Dr. From these results my Dr. believes my stone formed in part due to my high meat protein (80 g)and and perhaps my normal calcium (1200mg) intake. Some studies dispute calcium intake as a cause although calcium from food is best as opposed to supplements.  

He's suggesting a few changes:

1. Seek the bulk of your protein needs from other than animal meats.

2. Reduce your calcium intake slightly to 1000 mg daily but get it from food sources instead of supplements. 1200 mg is the normal daily intake for everybody, not just gastric-bypass patients. As mentioned before some studies on the subject believe keeping your calcium normal is best while also reducing animal protein and sodium intake. Here's a link http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=42752

3. Reduce sodium intake, my bloodwork indicated mine was high. The body releases sodium it doesn't need (excess) into the kidneys and urine.

4. Increase water intake, meaning well over and above the 64 oz. daily.

5. Avoid caffeine or compensate with even more water intake.

6. Begin a Low Oxalate Meal Plan. Here's a link http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/LowOxalateDiet.pdf, I have to admit some of the high oxalate foods are favorites, but I'll have to change that.

I'm passing all of this along to keep you all informed, not to scare you into adjusting your respective meal regimens'. If you have a concern please do see your PCP, urologist or surgeon. I'm 50 years old and this was my first stone. It may be my only stone, but after that painful experience I will make some adjustments to help prevent another possible occurence, but please don't look at this as a gastric-bypass thing, I can't say that it is. Just do what we're taught to do, research and find out what it may mean for you, and I hope it's not a concern for any of you at all.  

Dennis 

I had my first major KS attack within the first 4 weeks following my surgery.  The docs told me that Obese and Morbidly Obese people typically have them for various reasons - but typically dont feel the effects when they are heavy.  As our bodies change and become smaller - so do things inside of us begin to move around (like these pesky little stones).

More Water can certainly help flush them if they decide to leave the kidney, but the pain comes along with how big the stone is.

In my 14 months I have had 4 major KS attacks and I can tell you that after birthing 4 great kids along the way - the KS are far worse than Child Birth!!

Good luck.

Kim Z

I had stones many years ago and was told that gallstones and kidney stones can come from rapid weight loss and I was told that kidney stones can come from powdered drinks and dairy products.  I am sure there are more things that can cause them, but I was told this is the major cause or result of drinking reconstituted drinks and eating lots of dairy.

The info Dennis posted hits the nail on the head. However, that doesn't mean you will avoid them all together. Some people are just "prone" to produce them. And it can be hereditary. It runs in my family. With everyone. And although I have yet to experience one, I live with knowing I probably eventually will.

Calcium is one of the main culprits. (go figure) But there are tons of foods that have high calcium that you don't think of. Broccoli...........for one. And there is no way I will avoid broccoli. I eat it at least 4 times per week, if not more. So I guess it's a give and take woth some things. And of course our body needs calcuim for our bones.

So drink lots of water, and click on the link in Dennis's post for details about foods to eat and/or avoid.

Personally, I fly by the seat of my pants on the kidney stone issue.........LOL. I do not take any special precautions to "avoid" them. If I worry about everything I "might" get, I would live on water and lettuce. So it depends on what your personal risk is.

There is a urine test that can be done to evaluate a person's risk for producing kidney stones. It's a 24 hour urine that is sent in for a URORISK PROFILE. We do this on patients we feel may have more kidney stone issues rather than renal function issues. Urology will deal with stones, Nephrology deals with renal insufficiency.