A question for Dr C

I am 4 weeks post op and have been fighting a nasty kidney stone for 2 weeks. Is there any possibility that the kidney stone is related to the WLS? I live in a small town and cannot even be evaluated by the urologist until July 18th. I now have an infection in the bladder and that ureter which is more pain to deal with. Is there anything dietary I can do to help pass this stone? Thank you Laura

Yes, as a matter of fact, the incidence of kidney stones is increased after bypass surgery. Not much you can do about it really, there are some meds that your urologist might recommend for the long-term but nothing that will help acutely. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

dr. curry; i really really appreciate you and the time you take to answer everyones questions truefully and honestly even when your not their doctors. but i have a follow-up question about the kidney stones. piror to surgery i had 2 or 3 calcium-oxylate stones. (sp??) anyways i'm concerned that taking all the calcium supplements that i could develop more stones. one doc told me this wouldn't happen. could you please give me your take on it??? also one more question and that is about pop. do you allow your post-ops to drink pop?? i've kinda of stalled out on weight lose and i'm wondering if its the drinking of diet pop??? thanks again. i really appreciate your time and input!!!!!! jennifer, from akron.

Dr. Curry I think this would be a great question for the doc panel at the conference don't you? I have had terrible kidney stones in the past, leaving me with about 10% function on the right side.. this all happened before my WLS..so you can imagine my urologist who spent a year getting me well felt when I told him I was having it..However, all he kept telling me over and over again is "dilution is the solution" I was determined to drink so much water I could hear myself swish as I walked across the floor..I am happy to report that I will be 2 yrs out this Saturday, I have had absolutely no problems with my kidneys or stones. I do take an Allopurinol once a day and drink at least 64 ounces of water ..I stay away from Iced Tea and never drink carbonated drinks. I see my urologist two times a year..as he watches for signs or symptons so they can be caught early if one develops. I had one stone so large they took it out through my back..that is the kidney that stopped functioning..I was under the care of a different urologist then..since I have been seeing Dr. Dan Kessler I have had no problems at all.. Be prepared to answer this one in August Doc.. have a great day Brenda

Jennifer, I don't think that taking the calcium supplements will increase your chance of oxalate stones because after a bypass your body is absorbing less of your dietary calcium, so by taking the supplements you will just be getting the normal amount back into your body. As far as pop, we don't really recommend it, but a lot of people do it. Diet pop probably won't stall your weight loss but too much off it could harm your pouch plus if there is a lot of caffeine in it that can be an appetite stimulant. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545