Kidney Stone Treatment: What to Expect
Prior to Surgery
- Talk to your doctor about any medications/vitamins/herbs you are taking as you may need to stop certain ones before surgery.
- Let your doctor know if you could be or are pregnant.
- Discuss any possible bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that you may have.
Pre-Op Instructions
- You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), lopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood thinners.
- Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.
- Do not smoke. This will help you to recover quicker.
On the Day of the Surgery
- You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
- Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
- Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
After Surgery
You will stay in the hospital for a few hours or up to two days, depending on the type of the surgery you have. During a hospital stay, you may:
- Be asked to sit on the side of the bed and walk on the same day at surgery
- Have a tube, or catheter, that comes from your bladder
- Have a drain that comes out through your surgical incision
- Be encouraged to do breathing exercises
- Wear special stockings to prevent blood clots
- Receive shots under your skin to prevent blood clots
- Receive pain medicine into your veins or pills
Recovery: What to Expect in the Next Few Weeks
- Most patients will feel better within a few days; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects until after your doctor says it is OK.
- Full recovery takes six weeks to allow for internal healing.
Kidney Stone Treatment
How does my doctor know which procedure to use?
Your urologist will perform specific tests, including a urinalysis, blood tests, x-rays and possibly a CT scan of the abdomen to get more details on the location of the kidney stones and the degree of obstruction.
Are recovery times similar for each procedure?
While the recovery times vary for each procedure, most patients are fully recovered within six weeks and can resume their normal activities. Many patients feel much better the first week, but care must be taken to assure that healing is complete.
How long do I have to stay in the hospital?
Recovery usually requires one or two nights in the hospital.