Question:
Is urinary or kidney problems common after weight loss surgery?

I am 5 weeks post and lost only 2 lbs. this week. Even the surgeon's office said I should have lost more. I know I am not urinating very much. I just came home from my PCP with a urine cup because I couldn't urinate there. They said I must go within 2 hours and be tested. My question is, is this common after WLS? I can't seem to get a quick enough answer from my surgeon and my PCP is slowly working on it.    — Bernadette E. (posted on November 27, 2001)

November 27, 2001
Some people have problems with their bladder waking up after surgery, but this is not unique to wls. What is different with us is usually fasting and not drinking for a day or so before surgery, then getting nothing to drink for a day or so after, but that's what the iv's are for, to replace fluid. I think it may be harder for us when we go home to get enough water right away. I know I had nausea and was looking and feeling dehydrated, but most people don't seem to have any problems. I never had to go to the hospital or anything, I got on anti nausea drugs and did fine. I know they usually keep you at the hospital until your bladder works, so I am very surprised they sent you home. Good luck!
   — Becky K.

November 27, 2001
How much are you drinking? Sounds like your dehydrated, you should be sipping water or other no calorie liquid constantly, shooting for 8 cups a day. Becoming dehydrated will stall your weight loss since your body will hold onto every drop of liquid it gets. You MAY need some saline by IV, call your doc immediately if you get loopy or dizzy, or other strange feeling...
   — bob-haller

November 27, 2001
Did you drink some water when you were at the doc's office? If you drank water and still could not urinate, then you might have a urinary retention problem...this would have nothing to do with your wls. My guess is you aren't drinking enough water. You should be drinking a minimum of 64oz. a day. At 5 weeks that can be a chore...it was for me. You should have a bottle of water with you at all times and you should be constantly sipping it. If you are getting enough water, then you probably do need some urodynamic testing.
   — [Anonymous]

November 27, 2001
Yes, I say cautiously. According to my urologist (guess why I was there?), we are more prone for misc reasons. Number one is taking calcium carbonate. Then, we should not drink tea or coffee, yep, even decaf, or carbonation. It's the acid, not the caffeine. They can contribute to the build up of oxalate crystals BEFORE the kidney stone occurs. AND we tend to be a little slack in the water dept. Don't know if you are guilty of any of those crimes, but I had them ALL. So, I got my kidney stone for Christmas that year. Sigh.
   — vitalady

July 25, 2005
I am 16 months out from srugery and just sence Feb.o5 have have 4 URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS,have a dr. app. today and will ask him why I am getting so many now and what is causing them,then will be calling my surgeon to find out from him,it`s gotta be tied in somehow or another with the surgery.
   — rrlbennett