Medical Problems Continued...

I just received a telephone call from my PCP informing me that my kidneys are going kaput.  He told me that I am excreting too much protein in my urine a condition called macroalbuminuria.

The likelyhood now is that now I may have to go into a  low protein diet, now that is a contradiction!  I had this surgery, which requires taking protein, but my kidneys is just not handling the increased intake too well and is causing stress in these organs.

I feel like just the same way I felt before the RNY, tired, without energy and depressed.  While the weight loss has been good, it seems like I've been plagued with complications and other problems associated with the surgery and some of my old comorbidities are coming back, even after losing all this weight and keeping it off.  Now I have to see the surgeon about this incisional hernia that I got and it hurt.

I'll keep you posted of any new developments.  I am almost 4 years out and lost 180 lbs.  Still keeping the weight off.

Regards,
Guillermo

Hi Guillermo,

First, I have to say Congratulations on keeping the weight off after 4 years, that is wonderful!!!

But, I am sooo sorry to hear about the problems you are having.  I will keep you in my Prayers and yes please keep me posted. 

Best wishes!!!

Michele

Thanks for your kind words and yes it is wonderful being able to keep the weight off for so long.  I know that some of us have a difficult time doing that (keeping the weight off after the RNY), but I try to be disciplined in everything I do.   I am hoping and doing my best that the weight stays off forever.

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.
Guillermo

Guillermo,

I have NO doubt that you will attack this with the same vigor you did your WLS and taking care of your son.  You and the nephrologist will get you where you need to be on protein intake.  Not sure what you are consuming, but obviously take it down a few notches until you get to see one.

Obviously when we go into WLS we are hoping for the best but the reality is there are those who suffer long term complications from this choice.  Depression is a natural part of being sick, but just hold fast that you could have been much worse off.  All you can do is continue to press forward and continue to be proactive about your health.

Wishing you the best and praying for you as well.

Ms Shell

The only suggestion I would have for you is if you do go low protein (via food) then do he protein shakes to get your 90-120 grams. Protein shakes do not go thru the digestive system like food does, they are pre-digested and go straight to the blood.

That is one of the downfalls of the Atkins diet and consuming all the meats and proteins, hard on the kidneys.......

Just my thoughts....

I'll be sending good vibes your way! if you have ANY kidney questions at all, feel free to PM me.  My mom just went through kidney failure and transplant, so we're kinda old hands at this by now.

I am so sorry you are going through all of this.  I don't know you, but by reading the bit that I have and knowing that you have been so dedicated in keeping your weight off, I have no doubt that you will be successful in this new chapter!

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!!

Tasha

Don't get defeated there Guillermo....Darlene made a really good suggestion. Try and stay positive and look on the bright side...you have maintained a huge wl for a very long time....there will be ways to adjust and start feeling better soon...you have a lot on your plate so to speak!

I can see that you are burning the midnight oil like me.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I am seeing the specialist today to see how are we going to tackle this problem.  I have already lost a few pounds since Monday because I basically stop eating most meats and also stopped my protein shake to keep my protein intake below 50 gm per day.  In addition, I am dropping my salt intake significantly to make sure I don't over stressed my kidneys and accumulate fluids needlesly.

Fortunately, my blood pressure is not an issue, but will probably start taking ACE inhibitors (BP medicine) to protect the kidneys from further damage and maybe a water pill to avoid edema.  I actually don't see much swelling, but there are time that my fingers get a little puffy but,  I don't get to see much swelling around my ankles.  I am reading as much as I can to see what I can do to maintain whatever is left for a long time and perhaps reverse some of the damage.

This is what happens if you are not able to control your blood pressure for a long time, it damages your kidneys.  In addition, when I was fat I abused laxatives in the erroneous belief that it could help me lose weight, but obviously it did not because I got fatter and fatter, hence the RNY.  This probably contributed in part to the kidney damage that I am suffering today.  Nothing I can do about that now since the damage is already done.  I wish I would have known about this WLS a long time ago. I hope that I am not to late to stop and/or reverse the damage.

I was so happy that I was free of medication for the first time in years, that I could lose weight and keep it off, probably forever, without the need of doing stupid fad diets, taking diet pills, diuretics and laxatives (the vast majority of us did that anyway),  but I guess I have to come back to some of the same old meds I used to take in the past.

Thanks for your thoughts and I will beat this disease the same way I waged the battle of the bulge!

Regards,
Guillermo

Ughhh...If it's not one thing it's another.  I know someone who had WLS and he too has to lower his protein intake.  I'm sure you'll be just fine.  Take care of it now and ensure you received the "correct" information pertaining to your diet you have to shift to.

Best wishes