Your Kidney And Gastric Bypass

The number of people suffering from obesity every year is increasing, it is mainly about the lifestyle and how people eat.  To avoid the risks of obesity, more and more people are looking for other options for rapid weight-loss.  About 140,000 people annually are finding gastric bypass surgeries an option for weight-loss and reducing obesity and its health complications.

Roux-en Y is the most common gastric bypass.  In this procedure, a small and upper section of the stomach is separated by staples or bands to create a small pouch.  This would limit the amount of food the patient could consume.  It could hold about an ounce of food but can expand to about 4 to 8 ounces of food after a few months.  A Y-shaped section of the small intestines is attached to the stomach.  This would allow the food to bypass the upper portion of the intestines.

There are many benefits brought by gastric bypass surgery.  Individuals who have undergone the procedure are said to reduce their weight with an average of 50 to 60%.  Some would lose about 80% of their body weight two years after the sugery.  Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels and even cancer risks can be reduced by the procedure.  However, there are also downsides with this surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is an effective way of losing weight an obesity related health risks.  However, there are studies showing concern about nephrolithiasis or the formation of kidney stones among those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. According to paper presented in the 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition of American Society of Nephrology, gastric bypass surgery increased the possibility of kidney stones.

Actually, this was not the first time that this kind of risk is identified with almost similar operations.  In 1979, the Food and Drug administration had the jejunal ileal bypass under moratorium.  This was because patients who had the procedure developed kidney stones five years after surgery.

Currently, there are studies showing that those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery would experience changes in the chemical composition of their urine.  These changes eventually can lead into formation of kidney stones. After the gastric bypass surgery, the level of oxalate increased.  This chemical when bound with calcium can cause the increase of kidney stones.

Another cause could be the production of low levels of citrate.  Citrate dissolves crystals which can cause kidney stones.  Low citrate levels and high levels, a combination that  leads to an increase of calcium oxalate supersaturation.   This increases or a  strong factor or risk for having kidney stones.  Other chemicals which also contribute to kidney stone formation like uric acid and potassium remains unchanged before and after the surgery.

A study conducted by Mayo Clinic showed that those who have underwent the procedure for the last six months have not developed this kind of chemical change.  This condition could be avoided or the risk be reduced by undergoing some dietary changes. Doctors would recommend an increase on the intake of fluids, low-protein and low-salt diet, and normal calcium diet.