RNY and Kidney Stones

Hello Everyone

Congratulations to everyone on their WLS journey.  I know that those of you who have had and those of you who are thinking about having WLS are now excited about what the future brings and should be proud of the gift they have given themselves.

I am 3 years post-op in May.  I started my journey at 350lbs and within a year i was at 175-8lbs and have been there ever since.   Prior to RNY I was a victim of kidney stones.  I passed 4 stones in the 5 years prior to my surgery.  These stones are Calcium Oxalate Stone. Since surgery my stone production has increased.  I now pass roughly 1 stone every 4-6 weeks.  Those of you who have had stones knows what this feels like.  Not fun.  Obviously the first thing the specialist tell me is to drink more water.  10-15 glasses a day.  We all know that's not going to happen after RNY. I do my best but I'm lucky to get 4-6 bottles daily.  I have since been put on a number of treatments. 

I was warned prior to surgery that if you never had a stone before that you were more likely to have one after RNY bc we dont get enough water in.  And i was told if i was a victim of stones prior, that I would have an increase in stones after surgery.

My question to you... Has anyone had kidney stone problems??  Calcium Oxalate.  If you have or know someone who has, what treatment were you prescribed?

Also, I have attached a YouTube video of my journey from 350lbs to 175lbs
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVb_QzvzS6s


Best wishes to all.

Santino

Facebook:  Santino Pirrone

This was mentioned by the leader of our support group a couple of months ago.  They are looking at studies to see if there is a correlation with WLS.  The treatments were not discussed..

So everyone should drink as much water as they can!

 I never had kidney stones until after wls.  My urologist seems to believe it is a combination of eating a high protein diet, not enough water, and changes in the  ph balance that happen in the kidnesy after surgery.  He said that people who get them after surgery usually get them about a year out, but I was early.  He said that he sees a lot of people after wls with kidney stones:(  I still have several stones in my kidney, but haven't had much pain recently.  He also told me to try to drink at least one crystal light lemonade everyday because the acid will help so new stones don't form:(  I don't know if there is a treatment.  He would like me to have lithotripsy to break up the larger stones.  I notice much less pain when I drink lots of water, but that is not exactly treatment:( 

Good luck!  Kidney stones are by far the most painful thing I have ever dealt with.  I am so sorry you have them so frequently.  I will be curious to see if anyone else has any treatment suggestions!

 Ty for posting this! I just happened to have read it and I already drink Crystal Light Lemonade everyday. Hope it keeps the stones away.
Good luck with your journey and I'm sorry you're going through this pain.

Thanks for the reply.  My specialist told me the same thing about WLS patients.  I actually drink Crystal Light Lemonaid everyday.  Its the only thing i can drink on a daily basis.  They say the lemon acid does something to the stones... i dunno... ill try anything if it works..

Thanks again... Best wishes

I recently had a kidney stone removed. I have a family history of kidney stones (I didn't know this before). My doctor says it's from lack of water. I am drinking night and day!!! I'm scheduled for an ultra sound in the next two weeks. I don't remember anyone speaking about this prior to my surgery. I'm concerned about this issue as well.

Ya, i was warned.  It didnt change my mind in having the surgery.  I just wish I didnt have these stones.  They hurt like a b****.  I drink as much water as i can without making myself sick.  I have a CatScan in a week.  CatScan shows more stones than an ultrasoundd.  Ultrasounds are very unreliable and can miss a lot of stones, depending on the tech.

Thanks for you reply... good luck

I never had any kidney stores until a couple of years post-op (I will be 5 years out in August), but have had two incidents since then and had a stone currently that is very small and seems content to just stay where it is.  I was told to increase my water, but not much else.

Lora

I too have suffered from recurring kidney stones since my surgery (February 25, 2008).  I have an elevated parathyroid hormone level, normal calcium.  My stones are calcium oxalate also.  I drink as much water as possible. Today I met with my endocrinologist, whom I've turned to in order to analyze my blood chemistry and try to fight these things off.. By the way, I am doing better.. instead of getting them every 4 - 6 weeks now.. it's been about 12 weeks since my last one.  But.. today my endo decided to send me for more blood work, and she may be increasing my Vit D.  But she told me I should be adding FRESH LEMON juice to my water... that she has another patient who has had great results doing this.  I had also heard that from others out on YouTube.  So... I am now committing to having fresh lemons in the house to add to my water, religiously! 

Back when this started (the kidney stones coming repeatedly) I was referred to a surgeon to have surgical removal of one (or more) of my parathyroid glands, but... he landed up telling me that due to new info he had read about with kidney stones related to RNY surgery, he wanted to hold off on the surgery and see if my modifying my diet, and supplements could combat it without surgery... that's why I'm seeing the endocrinologist and going through the frustration of repeated testing of my levels.  Especially challenging for me is to try to minimize oxalates in my diet. 

So, going forward, what I'm doing is:  adding fresh lemon juice to my water; increasing my calcium intake via diet and supplements; increasing my vitamin D, tracking my oxalate intake and trying best to minimize it; and keeping my appts with my endocrinologist to monitor how all these things are working together. 

Good luck to everyone facing this, and may we have "relief" from this "pain"!!! 

~ Betty

Had RNY 2/25/2008  Lost 112 lbs and maintained that loss since, and fighting kidney stones!

Thank you so much Betty for the info.  My vit d level is high.  Very high. My calcium is normal.  My PTH is normal.  Ive been trying the lemons but I find it hard to get that much water in.  Please keep me updated!  Thanks again!