why are people who've had wls more likely to get kidney stones?

I had kidney stones when I was pregnant with my second child. At 7 months along I woke one night thinking I was in labor. After being rushed to the ER they told me I had kidney stones. They were not able to do the proper tests since I was so far along and said if they got so bad that I couldn't stand it they would take the baby at 7 1/2 months. Luckily that didn't happen and I was put on pain pills to ride out the rest of my pregnancy. I drank a lot of cranberry juice and still do. I worried about the pain pills but the pain from kidney stones is so severe that the doc said my pain was worse on my baby than the medicine would be. One month after I delivered my daughter by c-section I had the test and had stones in both kidneys. Well, one was stuck in my ureter and they had to go in and get it out. The second one I had lithotripsy done on it and then passed the fragments. Most painful thing in my life! I hate to scare you about the pain but, honestly, I have had them since them a couple of times and passed them with some good medicines. Since WLS I have had no issues at all with them. Anyone can get them but drinking a lot of water or cranberry juice is a good preventative. Some people are just suseptible I guess.
Don't worry about anything that hasn't happened yet. Save your energy for positive things.
Here is my fav saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is what I have right now. Live for today.

thanx johnna!

Jeanna,  My sister started having problems with kidney stones after her bypass surgery.  She has occurances several times a year.  When I went in for my RNY, Dr. Diaz asked me if I'd like to be in a study he was conducting on the increase in kidney stones after bypass surgery.  I signed up for the study.  When I get my post op labs drawn, I get several others drawn to provide for this testing.  So far, I haven't had any problems with stones.  I'm curious to see what conclusions Dr. Diaz comes up with.  If it is soda pop linked, I hardly ever have a soda of any kind.  I just don't like carbonated drinks.  Maybe that's why I've not had any problems. 

Just thought I'd throw this in.  It looks like the discussion is over but there must be some statistics that say we have a better chance of getting stones after surgery or Dr. Diaz wouldn't be studying it.

Jacqui

ok thanks!

This topic was brought up at support group last night at St. V's.  Linda Rodriguez said that Post-Op's dehydrate easier after our WLS.  So its very important for us to get all our fluids in.  She said at least 64-80 ounces a day.  If we don't get that in, there is a higher risk of kidney stones.  Makes sense, if we don't put liquid in we are not going to pee as much and flush out the kidneys, so stones form.  64 ounces is 4 bottles of bottled water.  I sip it all day long.  I don't leave the house w/o taking water with me everywhere.  I pick up my keys and grab my water.  Try early on to form this routine and it will become a healthy habit.  I try really hard to get closer to 80 or more.

She also said that they form at night when we are sedentary, laying down, and sleeping. 

I have a post-op friend that is currently dealing with kidney stones.  She said that there was lots of blood in her urine but it wasn't very painful.  Her doctor told her that she was passing them in her urine.  She did say that she had a little bit of pain in her back.

My dad had them several years ago, not a WLS person, and they came on very suddenly while he was in Florida and he was rushed to the ER there and given meds to help him pass them.  He was in terribly awlful pain with his.  So I guess, each case is different.  I absolutely know that my dad does not drink much fluids, even to this day after his recent kidney cancer surgery.  They stressed to him how very important fluid intake is but.......we can lead a horse to water but we can't make them drink, so the saying goes. 

The kidney cancer is not a result of having kidney stones so don't freak out.  You are a worrier but don't try to anticipate problems before the fact.  Its good to be educated about possible problems but don't drive yourself crazy worrying about what might happen tomarrow, as Johnna said.  Take things one day a time, 1 step at a time and rejoice in your small daily successes and blessings.  Work hard at positve thinking and it does take work.  But its very much worth the work.

I hope this information from Linda helps you.  I've never had a kidney stone in almost 9 years Post-op or pre-op either, for that matter.  I've never had one.  I've also never had a stricture or an endoscope in almost 9 years. So please don't worry so much.  I did have an endoscope before WLS and it wasn't bad at all.
Kat