Gastric Sleeve and Kidney Disease - anyone?

Hi All,

I have 20 days until my sleeve and I am a nervous wreck. I'm questioning this decision and I could really use some input/help/support. Let me start at the beginning.......

Last December I was diagnosed with IgAN (a chronic, rare form of kidney disease). I have about 30% function left in my kidneys and dialysis/transplant will eventually be my future. My goal in having a gastric sleeve is to lose weight and get my co-issues down (type 2 diabetes, high blood preasure). losing weight will definately help and will be make a big difference in where I end up on the transplant list. Because of the kidney disease, I am on a very low potassium diet and a low protein diet - this is going to make the challenges of eating/drinking post gastric surgury difficult. Both my kidney doc and the gastric doc think this surgury is a good idea.

My concerns are that my MD's office staff (nutrionist, etc) doesn't know very much about my type of kidney disease. They are working with my nephrologist to get some answers and a plan. My biggest fear is getting dehydrated. Dehydration is VERY dangerous for my kidney. As I read this forum, I'm getting more and more afraid. My docs keep saying it will be ok but I'm a wreck. I know I have to get the surgury or my kidney is going to fry out from the high BP and diabetes - but dang.....

So, anyone out there had to deal with Kidney disease and a sleeve?

Thanks for listening,
Jenny

You are in quite a predicament...it sounds like you have a medical team who is working together to get you into the best health...you need just the right amount of protein and fluid intake to work with the sleeve but that will also maintain your kidney's health. I'm sure that your medical team can get this balance worked out for you. I have known several patients who lived with Chronic Kidney Disease stage 4 for many years before requiring dialysis. Renal patients are near and dear to my heart. My favorite aunt was in renal failure and lived on HD for about 15 years. Losing weight and getting healthy will get you a new kidney! I wish you the all best, I'll be praying for you, and though we are far apart, I'm in your corner shaking my pom poms!!!

Welcome to the forum Jenny, I know that there are people with kidney issues that will be sure to give you their experiences, strength and hope. My prayers are with you.

Welcome Jenny! I don't have any answers for you but will be here if ya need to talk! Blessings!

You won't have to worry so very much right at the beginning because they're going to have you going through so many IV bags. I went through 5 bags in 24 hours in the hospital that I know of, and it may have been more than that. And once you're out, you're going to need to force yourself to sip water all. the. time.

Jenny,
Sounds like your specialist and surgeon are on the right page. My Dad has Stage 4 Kidney Failure but does not yet need dialysis and he had to work with a nutritionist to create a special diet that did not aggravate his gout.

A trip to a nutritionist and/or dietician would really be beneficial to you. Although there are others on the board with similar conditions and issues as yours, a tailored approach is always best.

I'm glad your kidney doc is on board with this procedure. I wondered about that initially as I read your post. Getting rid of the high blood pressure and lowering your insulin issues are essential to the health of you kidneys. Gastric Sleeve is actually one of the better WLS for you as you will most likely need additional iron, folic acid, B-vitamins, etc. to help your kidney function and this procedure will not affect absorption.

Best to you, Sweet Lady and keep us posted how everything goes.

Good luck in whatever you do. You have a lot going on in your life but I am really glad to hear that you have so many specialists working with you. Hopefully your specialists can get together and discuss your individual case and figure a good solution for you. BTW good luck with the sleeve and welcome to our forum.

Hi,
I have stage 5 kidney disease with a GFR of 8-9. I had the sleeve last April 12. My doctors were totally aware of my kidney issues and it presented no problems. I have had no problems at all. In 2004 I was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease and was told I would probably be on dialysis in @ 3 months. It is over 7 years later and I have still not started dialysis. I feel great 99.9% of the time. I just got back from a 3500 mile road trip by myself. Kidney disease is not necessarily the end of the world, so hang in there.

hi jenny - i have been sleeved for 3.5 months to date and was very healthy prior to surgery. one month post op i was diagnosed w/kidney stones 6.7 mm's whereby surgery was required to remove them. a month later, i followed up w/my urologist who performed an ultrasound on my kidneys and found 10 additional oxalate calcium stones which were very small 3.4 mm's. i then followed up w/my gastric surgeon who told me "high protein diets" do cause kidney problems. i was devasted. i still do not understand completely how this all happened. i saw the nephrologist yesterday and she also confirmed she is seeing a great number of patients who are on high protein diets w/kidney stones. i just received my blood work from a month ago and found out that my liver enzymes are high, (which my urologist also told me after meeting w/her for the ultrasound, liver enzymes are high) which can be caused by kidney disease. the nephrologist orderd a 24 hour urine screen and additional blood work. i'm going to also call my pcp who i've now seen for 20+ years to order what tests need to be performed to get to the root of the issue. i am following the low oxalate calicum diet as well.

sounds like u have everyone on board that needs to be and are in good hands. the doctors are going to monitor your blood levels to determine if there are any drastic changes.

if we aren't battling high blood pressure, high chlosterol and diabetes it is another. so, don't fret and take everyday one at a time.

i do no regret having the sleeve performed. it has been the best thing i have ever done. best of luck ur way and i'll keep u posted and hopefully u as well.

dena

Hi Jenny,

I have a very close friend who had very bad kidneys, also thought she might have to go on dyalisis eventually, she had the sleeve done 3 years ago, and has never looked back, her kidneys are back to normal, she has gone off her blood pressure and kidney medication, and she is doing wonderful.

Good luck with your surgery, I am going in for mine on the 4 october, so i am nervous too.

Take care

Hayley

Thank you everyone for all the support and information. It has been reassuring to know that others have been successful with kidney issues. I will keep you all informed of how things go.

and FYI - here is my new motto......"keep your eye on me because I'm going to be disappearing....one pound at a time"....!!

Hello Jenny! I read your post and had to send you a message. I was diagnosis with kidney failure last yr. both my parents passed from this horrible disease, and when i was diagnosed I said that there was no way that I was going to die like my parents from this disease. So my family dr. ran tons of tests, and labs. he told me that having a high protein intake was not good, but the alternative was not better. So after fighting my ins. co. 3 times. I was told they wouldn't cover the sleeve but they would pay for dialisis. NO WAY! so I decided to go to mx for my surgery. I did everything my family dr. told me to do and had the surgery on Aug. 8 of this yr. when I went back to the neprolog. I was told my kidney funtion was much higher. I am now off 20 pills and no more insulin!!! just taking 7 bp meds but I can see that my bp is going down steadly so I will be off of more of them. I had some time with the fluids, but I sip all day long this surgery has saved my life, I was given 2-3 yrs tops! Your post truely is a concern with your health but you have made the best decisision in your life. after your surgery continue to work with your nephrol. as they will be able to monitor you much better. I didn't do the 80 gr. per day I do 20 gram of protein at ea meal and a few grams with my snacks. this is plenty protein for me, and remember as we loose the weight we can lower the protein. I was using the powdered protein( be sure to read those labels!! ) and now I get most my protein from the foods that I eat. i have had no problems at all after surgery and my kidney function is much better!!! I have regular blood tests more freq. them most people but everything is good! I wish you all the luck and I know that you will do fine. I didn't mention I am 59 and my parents passed when they were 60 and 62. so I was right behind them. Good luck to you! and welcome to the forum!!

yankegal - Thank you so much for the support and the information. It gives me a real sense of hope. What type of kidney disease do you have and what is your GFR pre and post sleeve?

the dr told me my function was about 32% before surgery, I have to go back and have more test done. its been about 2 mo. I am hoping that when I have the tests done they tell me some good news. but the best part was coming off all those meds!!! and insulin! I will always have to stay on two bp meds because of the kidney disease. but I hope to come off the other 5 real soon!