Question:
Has anyone had problems with kidney stones since bypass?
I am 14 months post-op, have lost 125 lbs and doing fine. I might add that I am also 58 years old. I have never had kidney stones in my lifetime until Sept. (13 months post-op). Have been told by a home health nurse that this was normal for bypass surgery patients. Has anyone else out there, who has had gastric bypass surgery, had this problem. Could be related to area that I live in, but you would think that it would have happened before now. What does everyone think about this? — Shirley H. (posted on January 10, 2003)
January 10, 2003
Shirley - What kind of calcium are you taking and how much water are you
drinking? I've learned that taking calcium citrate is better to take than
carbonate. Also make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to flush
out the kidneys. Dark colored liquids (pop, tea) are definate causes of
stones. Best of luck.
— trtorrey
January 10, 2003
Yes, they are very common. One reason is that we take calcium carbonate,
often lots of it. Another is iced tea. LOL! We have to step lively to
avoid them. I got mine for Xmas, 4th year out. My husband had 4, too big
to pass. Cost him many days in the hospital, actually.
— vitalady
January 10, 2003
I might have them. My gallbladder was taken out 10 months post op and I'm
still having pain. I'm curious as to what the pain and symtoms are for
kidney stones as I'm thinking that may be what is going on with me.
— Danmark
January 10, 2003
I have had kidney stones and it was worse than either of my 30 hour
labors!!!!! My urologist says to drink LOTS of water to help keep thing
flowing so that nothing builds up.
That goes for bladder infections and kidney infections and UTIs too. Most
of those are caused by dehydration to some point!
It makes sense that bypass patients would have some kidney stones if tyhey
do not get enough fluid. I know that the color of my urine is a really good
indicator of my hydration. It should be paler and not too smelly. (sorry to
be so vulgar!) I would not wish a kidney stone on anyone.
— Carol S.
January 14, 2003
Many things contribute to kidney stones (or kidney stone hell as I like to
call it) after RNY. We eat a high protein diet and have poor protein
absorbtion. We take calcium (prefferable citrate) and we have poor calcium
absorbtion even with citrate. We often don't drink enough water especially
in the months right after surgery. All of these things contribute to
stones. The main thing you can do to avoid them is continually drink enough
water. Unfortuanatly, even a few days of not feeling well or just getting
out of the usual habit of drinking, is enough time to get a stone started.
— cindy Q.
February 2, 2003
I am having kidney stones as I write and found this question because I was
asking myself the same question. I had surgery in July, 2001 - 19 months
ago. I must admit that my water consumption has decreased in recent months
(it is so easy to take this gift for granted after a while.) At any rate,
this is not much fun. I am taking heavy doses of pain medication right now
an the pain comes and goes (as it has for the past few days) but I am
getting the care I need and this to shall pass (literally). As bad as the
pain is, it is nothing compared to the pain I suffered with obesity and its
associated health problems. I am now down 133 pounds and a size 10. Would
I do it again? As we say - in a hearbeat.
— Anndrea H.
May 20, 2003
Yes, I have had two kidney stone occurances since my 8/19/02 surgery (95
pound loss). One was in November, 2002 and one was three weeks ago. I had
an IVP test and ct scan which both came back negative. Both times, my
urine had a trace of blood and high ketones. I know for a fact that just
before I experienced symptoms three weeks ago, I did not drink enough water
the two days prior. My urologist doesn't feel that would cause my
symptoms. He wants to put me under anesthia and do exploratory surgery to
see what is going on. I'm willing to collect a 24 hour urine sample for
testing. But I'm not willing do go through this outpatient surgery. I
have an appointment with my weight loss doctor in two weeks and I'll
discuss this with him. I do know about three WLS patients that also
developed stones subsequently to WLS.
— virgdan1
May 29, 2003
Hi, I too battle kidney stones, I'm almost 2 years post op. I had my
consult yesterday with my urologist, who will be removing my 1.5 cm one
here in about 3 weeks. Yes it's a biggy!!!! Size of a large jelly bean.
He said that kidney stones are common in WLS patients because, and I hope I
can explain this correctly, we have had much of our small intestines
bypassed, we don't produce as much bile salts as we used to, which helps
break down fats, and oxalate that are in foods. If we eat fat combined with
high oxalate foods, the kidney's can't handle this, and form stones.
After my surgery I have to stick to a low oxalate diet or I will continue
to have these horrid little buggers, that cause worse than child birth
pain.
— Carey N.
May 29, 2003
Kidneyt stones are common in MOs, even those who never had surgery/ I have
several mo friends that have had troubles. One in particular my old girl
friend Sharon used to say with pride I never drink water its not thirst
quenching. My best friemnd Bill is her dad. My PCP says it might be MOs
addiction to pop, and that also leads to weight gain. Dont know but its not
just a post op problem.
— bob-haller
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