Study links gastric bypass surgery to increased risk of kidney stones

CHICAGO (June 26, 2008) – Morbidly obese patients who undergo a particular type of gastric bypass surgery called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones – small, pebble-like deposits that can result in severe pain and require an operation to remove them – earlier than previously thought. These stones develop in patients within only a few months following the procedure rather than several months to years, according to research published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

"Our data suggests that RYGB is associated with an increased risk of forming kidney stones as early as three months post-operation," according to the study's lead investigator, Manoj Monga, MD, FACS, Professor of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. "We hope our findings and subsequent research will eventually allow clinicians to more accurately counsel patients on their individual risk of kidney stones and develop strategies for the prevention of this sometimes painful condition, such as dietary modification and medical therapy." Click here for full article.