Questions about Kidney Stones and VSG???

Hi Everyone, 

I am getting sleeved on August 10, 2016. I am nervous and excited, but also a little worried. I was in the ER over the weekend with a Kidney Stone. When reading up on it, I am finding that kidney stones are more common after VSG. Does anyone have experience with this? This is my 2nd Kidney Stone, my first was in July 2012. Thanks for any insight!!

I had kidney stones before vsg. I asked my surgeon about increased risk of developing more after surgery. I was told that the risk only goes up very slightly after vsg. He told me that the risk is a little higher with malabsorption surgerys like gastric bypass.

I think the pros outweigh the cons on this one. My blood sugar is now normal, no more cholesterol meds, no more blood pressure meds, I don't have to take anything to control my blood sugar. So glad I had the surgery.

I would think that hydration will be even more important for you after the surgery to prevent future stones. Have they told you what type of stones you develop? Some types of stones may be affected by dietary choices (other times it just seems genetic).

I haven't been able to get an appointment with a urologist that accepts my insurance. I placed another call today and waiting for a call back. Not sure what is making the stones ?

Gall stones go up dramatically after rapid massive weight loss, either from surgery, or without.

Kidney stones are barely more prevalent. The biggest issue is not drinking enough. The other is taking calcium carbonate, both for gall and kidney stones. Calcium citrate actually helps, calcium carbonate makes it worse.

Thanks! Glad I got Calcium Citrate!! And I will definitely keep up on my water! Thanks for the response!!

I have had two UTI's since getting my sleeve in mid-March.  I do take all my supplements and get my water in, but I have historically had issues with UTI's (but one or two a year, not one every other month!) I am starting to suspect I may be passing "gravel" because I am not running a fever, just having localized pain.

Kidney/Kidney stones/Urinary tract issues run in my family.  We found out when my daughter was four that she has a loop in her urinary tract that contributed to her persistent UTI's.  She represents the fourth generation of females in my family to have some type of problem with UTI's, so we suspect some genetic cause.

I am trying to increase my water intake, because even though I get enough water by my surgeon's standards (80 oz), I used to drink more like 120-150 oz a day before my surgery and I think the decrease in water is contributing to the increase in infections.

Two contributors to kidney stones post wls (any procedure) are dehydration and taking the wrong kind of calcium (you want Calcium Citrate, nothing else). If you're prone to them already, be extra careful on these items.

I've had a few since VSG and many, many prior.  The thing is, once you get them, you're predisposed to keep getting them.  Sucks, doesn't it?  And the first few after VSG there's so much more to worry about.  "OMG, what if this pain is really my staple line SPLITTING!!!!!"  

Make sure you're taking the right kind of calcium - calcium carbonate can lead to stones, you want to be taking citrate.  Make sure to be vigilant about keeping yourself hydrated.  For what it's worth, my stones have been a lot less of the "dying right now would be superior" variety and more of the "yeah, this really sucks a lot" variety since I've gotten to a healthier place.