Question about Kidneys

As most of you know, I had my surgery on Aug 1st.  I'm about 2.5 months out and have had a lot of complications.  I'm at a 70lb loss now (yeah!)  We did full one year labs this week (a lot of them are not back yet).  Of the ones that are back, my protein levels are good (Yeah!).  My kidney functions are not good.  So not good, that I am going to have to go to a Kidney specialist.  Apparently, the protein I'm using is not processing correctly (I'm glad I waited to go on the Creon!  I did not want to use it).  Has anyone had this problem and if so what did they do for it?  The Dr said, I need to change proteins.  I'm using Unjury which is a medical protein. 

They did an ultrasound of my legs and found no clots.

My left leg is still swollen (nearly to the size of my thigh - no joke).  He wants me to see the kidney Dr.

Not sure how long it will take me to get in with the kidney specialists. 

Thank you!

I am sorry you are going through this. Please keep us up to date.
Best of luck
Whit

Sorry to read of your kidney complications. 

The only thing ever said to me about kidney function was from the NUT about the amonunt of protein I was consuming, telling me I would ruin my kidneys. I explained the DS absorption rates, and told the NUT that even if I was consuming 150 grams of protein daily, my body was only getting 75 grams of that, at best.

 I know next to nothing about this, but will say that I was told the amount of stored crap coming out of the fat cells is very hard on the kidneys. That is why it is so important to drink even more water, to help them flush the toxic stuff out.

I hope it's just your kidney catching up with this, and you are already on the mend as the weight loss can only slow from here, but it's good you're seeing a specialist to rule out anything bad.

I am running into this issue as well.  Not, run to the specialist bad, but going in that direction.  I have been chatting with a person who is knowledgeable about our labs and can read them well.  She told me it is time to get serious about avoiding things in my life that can compromise kidney function.  Limit artificial sweeteners and caffeine.  Aim for 120 oz of fluid a day, but don't push much more than that, as too much fluids can stress the kidneys as well.  Limit concentrated protein sources, i.e. shakes.  I use one 30g Premier nutrition shake a day and she says that should be fine....but to get the rest of my protein from food as much as possible.  The concentrated protein in our shakes is harder on the kidneys to process.  Drink plenty of water along with your shake to dilute the protein a bit.  Anyway, that was her advice to me.  We have to remember that having kidneys is a good thing, so we need to keep them happy!

No advice here - am comletely ignorant about kidneys - but wish you good luck.

Yes, I need to up my water intake - have to find the right balance.  In doing my research, have learned what some of you have already said... Fat is very hard for the kidneys to flush.  I'm losing weight at a great rate hence the stress on them.  Also, I have been having a LOT of beef.  I was worried I was coming from behind protein wise.  I beefed up the protein (LOL).  Now, I will be switching to fish (which I loved before surgery but haven't really cared for after surgery).  Beef is also hard for the kidneys to process.  Also, the concentrated protein shakes are also hard on the kidneys... I have been doing a minimum of 4 a day.  I'm going to start incorporating a lot more nuts in my regime, more fish and more water. 

This is my plan for changing up proteins.

Thank you all!

Sounds good!  I hope it works for you! 

I'm struggling with protein right now.  My drop in levels was also my fault, too, as I was dealing with final business for my mother the six months prior to my last labs, and I got a bit sloppy with nutrition.

It was back up into normal my last labs, but just barely.  Still working on my levels of D, K calcium and zinc.  I think K1 is back where it needs to be post-recheck...I had a rather nasty deep cut to my finger, and it healed beautifully in two weeks time.  I did have a slow healing issue prior to my labs.