Kidney & Ureteral Stones

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What to Expect After the Procedure

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

  • Stent: It is common to have a ureteral (internal) stent (small, hollow tube) in place after surgery coming from the kidney to the bladder to promote drainage from the kidney and to promote healing of the ureter. The stent normally remains in place anywhere from 3 days to several weeks. (see attachment 2) Occasionally the stent can move or become blocked by a blood clot which may require changing in the operating room.
  • Post Procedure Pain: Pain can be expected and medication will be administered. For discomfort drink plenty of fluids. Burning during urination is common initially after surgery. If the burning persists medication can be given. One may experience pain in the side of the surgery from swelling. If a stent is left in place, severe pain or bladder spasms may occur especially with urination. This should improve over a few days. To help relieve symptoms, you will be given a prescription for pain medication before leaving the hospital. In some cases bleeding may persist until the stent is removed. Increased activity can also cause bleeding while the stent is in place.
  • Nausea: You may experience some nausea related to the anesthesia. Medication is available to treat persistent nausea.
  • Urinary Catheter: You may have a urinary catheter (a narrow hollow tube that is placed in the urinary passage and drains urine from the bladder into a bag). This tube is placed in the operating room while you are asleep. It is usually removed in recovery or by the next morning.
  • Diet: You can expect to have an intravenous catheter (IV) in for several hours. (An IV is a small tube placed into your vein so that you can receive necessary fluids and stay well hydrated; in addition it provides a way to receive medication.) Most patients are able to tolerate ice chips and small sips of liquids the day of the procedure and regular food the next day. Once you are tolerating fluids, pain medication will be taken by mouth instead of by IV or injection.
  • Fatigue: Fatigue is common and should start to subside in a few days.
  • Incentive Spirometry: If you are admitted to the hospital, 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 is an important part of your recuperation and helps 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: You may be discharged the same day as the procedure or stay overnight.
  • 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 daily at home and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will also help to prevent constipation.
  • Infection: You may be given antibiotics for a few days to prevent infection. Call your doctor with any signs of infection which include pain, chills or fever.