Question:
Kidney Stones post-op... is it related to wls?

I have had kidney stones 2 times in the past three weeks and was wondering if any others out there had any problems with stones. The doctor's say dehydration and excess of calcium cause them, but I drink my water faithfully and don't eat/drink much calcium. Any info that you could share would be GREATLY appreciated!!    — Lindsay G. (posted on October 4, 2004)

October 4, 2004
I don't know if this is true or not, but a friend of mine just suffered with kidney stones. He was told that protein causes them. Just FYI. I really don't know.
   — Rhonda S.

October 4, 2004
drink enough water to pee clear. If you see yellow in the toilet you have not drank enough regardless of the amount. I have had numerous stones in the past and actually less after surgery. excessive protein intake is also a cause depending on the type of stone you make. If you have calcium oxylate stones a dietician told me to avoid cranberries or cranberry juice, rhubarb, spinich, strawberries, chocolate, tea, wheat germ, as these foods combine with other chemicals to promote stone formation. they were the "7 deadly foods" for stone formation. Good luck and be incontact with your dr if any concerns, kidney stones can be not only painful but cause permanent damage. I nearly lost a kidney to one that became lodged and blocked all urine flow and my kidney SHUT DOWN, luckily after the stone was surgically removed from my ureter and a stent placed and in for a couple months it recovered.
   — **willow**

October 4, 2004
Do you take a multivitamin? If you do, is it one of those that is formulated for women? They have higher calcium contents. Anyways, I asked hubby (he is a medic) and in his expierence the patients that have come into his clinic have either been dehydrated (people dehydrate at different rates, therefore need different amounts of fluids) or have too much calcium (typically it is patients who take a multivitmen and use meal supplements and they are not keeping track of the increased amount of calcium in such products). Not sure if this applies in your case but hoped it might help you!
   — MagickalMom

October 4, 2004
I am 22 months post RNY and down 225 lbs. There is an increase incidence of kidney stones post WLS. It is usually related to high protein intake and malabsorption of calcium oxalate crystals from the intestine. I have passed stones twice and had to have stones removed 3 times. These were coupled with infection,blockage of urine and dilated kidneys.All things cleared and my renal function is normal. I get an x-ray and see the urologist every 6 months. If you capture a stone it can be analyzed. That would let you know what foods to avoid. Most stones are calcium oxalate stones. A doctor or dietitian can give you a list of foods high in oxalates. This includes most green leafy veggies.My urologist says to drink at least 70 oz of water or lemonade made from lemon juice per day. Something in the lemon juice helps minimize stone formation.Seemed to help a little.
   — dianne E.

October 4, 2004
I read an article recently about kidney stones and how especially women are more prone to them when on high protein diets, it advised that you should consume a minimum of 1 ounce of liquid for each gram of protein to help keep the proteins from building in the kidneys and forming stones. I have had kidney stones in the past and don't look foward to getting anymore so I work hard at keeping up with my liquids. Protein shakes and milk don't count as liquids but as protein, liquids are water, crystal light, tea and so on. Hope this helps.....Nancy
   — nefish

October 4, 2004
i was also diagnosed with kidney stones i was told it was unrelated but going into medical coding i looked in my med books and people with gastric bypass are prone which i wasnt informed before hand
   — amanda K.

October 4, 2004
Well I looked into this awhile ago. MOs have a tendency to get stones. They also run in familys. People who dont drink water, and are addicted to carbonated beverages have high incidence too. Many MOs are pepsi addicts:( All this translates into being walking kidney stone makers:(:( Which may explain why WLS patients get stones, were at at risk group:( My pain turned out to be caused by paxil. they went instantly into the toilet. this was before WLS. Lots of pre ops have had kidney stones, its come up at support group meetings....
   — bob-haller

October 4, 2004
Dehydration can cause a collapse of the whole system! So, how dry do they mean? Oxalate stones are different than uric acids stones. Oxalates are fairly commoon among us, sadly. But usually, we use calcium CARBONATE, which can form stones. If they ARE oxalate, one of the treatments is the use of calcium citrate. We tend to be chronically low in calcium, but we want to get in the least oxalytic forms. The green the leaf, the more calcium, but the more oxalates (boo, hiss, I love spinach). But, because our intestine is bypassed as it is, we don't get much absorption of the calcium. However, the kidneys still have to sort through the mess we send down. See if they will do their special urinalysis on you. It can show crystals, even if there are no stones formed. I had warnings 3 monts before mine arrived. She told me to swtich to citrate and well, I didn't do it. Let's don't go into my ignorance there, ok? But I had a hand in my own stones, I suspect. Coffee, teat, cola, calcium carbonate, love my green leafies....... Read the no-no for oxalates list and those are my faves. sigh
   — vitalady

October 4, 2004
I too, was never warned of kidney stones pre op. I just spent a week in the hospital for this. This was the most terrible experience of my life. PERIOD. and I have had several surgeries and a c section as well as natural childbirth none of these which were as bad as my stone. On my profile I put a pic of the fragments of mine (had to strain my pee in a strainer for a couple of weeks)..the urologist told me that wls patients are very prone to these unfortunately. He told me to never take tums again but instead use citracal. Dehydration prolly played a big part in mine but getting another one of these pesky things is my worst fear. Im so glad you asked this question.
   — JennA

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