Kidney & Ureteral Stones

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What to Expect After the Surgery

Immediately after the procedure you will be taken to the recovery area and transferred to your hospital room once fully awake and your vital signs are stable.

  • Post Operative Pain: Pain medication can be administered to you via Patient Controlled Analgesia or PCA (whereby you as the patient control the administration of your own pain medication by pressing a button) or by an injection given to you by the nursing staff. Your preference will be discussed with you ahead of time by an anesthesiologist.
  • Nephrostomy Tube: You can expect to have a small narrow hollow tube coming out of your back to allow urine to drain from the kidney into a drainage bag. This drain usually remains in place for two days. There is a possibility that you will be discharged from the hospital with a nephrostomy tube.
  • Stent: You may have a ureteral stent in place to promote drainage from the kidney to the bladder (the reservoir that holds urine).
  • Nausea: You may experience some nausea related to the anesthetic. Medication is available to treat persistent nausea.
  • Urinary Catheter: You can expect to have a urinary catheter (a narrow, hollow tube inserted into the urinary passage to drain your bladder) for approximately one day after surgery. It is not uncommon to have blood-tinged urine for several days after surgery.
  • Diet: You can expect to have an intravenous catheter (IV) in for 1-2 days. (An IV is a small tube placed into your vein enabling you to receive necessary fluids and stay well hydrated until you are able to tolerate a diet; in addition it provides a way to receive medication). Most patients are able to tolerate ice chips and small sips of liquids on the first day and regular food by day two. Once on a regular diet, pain medication can be given by mouth instead of by IV or injection.
  • Fatigue: Fatigue is common and should subside in a few weeks.
  • Incentive Spirometry: You will be expected to do some very simple breathing exercises to help prevent respiratory infections through using an incentive spirometry device. (These exercises will be explained to you during your hospital stay). Coughing and deep breathing are an important part of your recuperation and help prevent pneumonia and other pulmonary complications.
  • Ambulation: On the day of your procedure it is very important to get out of bed and begin walking with the supervision of your nurse or family member to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.
  • Hospital Stay: The length of hospital stay for most patients is approximately three to four days.
  • Constipation: You may experience sluggish bowels for several days or weeks. Suppositories and stool softeners are usually given to help with this problem. Taking mineral oil at home and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will also help to prevent constipation.
  • Secondary Procedures: Some patients have stones that are very large or that cannot be safely removed during the first procedure. You may need a "second look" to remove any remaining stone burden. This may be done during the current hospitalization or at another time.