Question:
I have had kidney stones just recently.....

I have heard about people getting stones after the surgery, this concerns me considering I already have a predisposition for them. Am I more likely to experience them? Also can kidney stones be considered a co-morbidity??    — christine L. (posted on May 12, 2000)

May 12, 2000
I too unfortunately have had my share of kidney stones, to include lithotripsy and subsequent scarring which resulted in bleeding for several months. I am 6 months post-op and have not had a stone. I do drink LOTS of water and limit myself to a diet drink per day (Diet Mt Dew). I don't drink coffee and I don't eat lots of cheese products (as calcium causes many stones). I ensure that after I have taken my calcium supplements that I get lots of liquids in about an hour after taking the pill. I'm sure your doctor would agree that aggressively pursuing liquids will aid in stone prevention. Good luck with surgery.....best thing I ever did for myself...EVER!!!!
   — Malinda M.

May 12, 2000
Christine: I was just reading over my post op diet tonight and came across a note about kidney stones. It stated that some patients have developed kidney stones who did not drink enough water. My surgeon suggests 1 and 1/2 quarts a day. That really isn't much - 6 cups. I say that should be a minimum.
   — Cindy H.

May 12, 2000
Hi Christine: I had a kidney stone at 4 1/2 weeks post-op. Neither my surgeon nor my urologist felt it was related to the wls. I had asked the question about the decrease in fluid intake, but they both said the same thing: "we'll never know". So, drink, drink, drink post-op! That was the first stone I've ever had, and hopefully the last.
   — Jaye C.

May 14, 2000
I have the same syndrome and have had lipotripsy 2X for kidney stones. My WLS surgeon, Dr. Rutledge @ www.clos.net, states that WLS frequently "cures" kidney stones because of the malabsorbtion. He says the calcium absorbtion is diminished to the point we should no longer have any stones.
   — jjames-thomas