Question:
How do I get rid of kidney stones after gastric surgery?

I had my surgery done March 2, 2001 and I have had 8 kidney stones from that time period. I never had kidney stones before and dont understand why I am getting them now. I am in the hospital about every three weeks for it. My urologist seems to think it is all a result of my gastric surgery and tells me that there is nothing he can do for me to help prevent them. There has to be help out there. I cant take the pain anymore.    — Julie D. (posted on March 18, 2002)

March 18, 2002
What kind of calcium supplements are you taking. If they are calcium carbonate, that can promote the kidney stones. We should be taking calcium citrate because it's absorbed better after WLS. Tums are calcium carbonate. Also, I'm assuming you are getting plenty of water.
   — garw

March 18, 2002
WOW. In only 2 weeks? Something else is going ON! Apparently your uro. does not approve of WLS. So, did he say if the stones are oxalate or uric acid? The calcium carbonates build oxalates (to which we ARE more prone), and so does "brown liquids", such as coffee, tea (except herbal) and colas. Caf or decaf, diet or regular, no matter. Yes, I hate that rule, too. BUT, you know, even if you drank nothing BUT brown stuff AND ate every green leafy on the list (also no-nos), AND ate Tums & Viactiv by the armload, even STILL, I cannot imagine building stones that fast. I know absolutely nothing about uric acid stones, however. Sounds like you are largely on your own, so squeeze him for more info. While you're getting copies of labs & such he did for your NEW uro.
   — vitalady

March 18, 2002
Hi... I am a kidney stone former and am pre-op for surgery so I'm really preparing for this. You have to get those stones tested to see what kind you are forming. I form uric acid stones and it comes from urine that is too concentrated. There are medications that can help. Allopurinol helps to keep them from forming and Urocit K to dissolve and dilute the urine. Ask your urologist about this. Be very firm as you shouldn't have to go through this. A key is drinking tons of water, nurse it all day long. A key is look at the urine and if it is not very clear and is dark or dark yellow you need more water. You also should get a strainer (they make them just for this) and strain the urine to capture stones and gravel that you will pass. Most times uric acid stones are a rusty brown color. Don't let him off the hook though and pull your PCP into this as you can end up with stones that do ureter damage, block important ducts and kidney function. I ended up having kidney surgery last May to remove a very large stone that did not dissolve. Good luck to you.
   — AJC750