How to Recover From Kidney Stone Surgery

Having a kidney stone is one of the most painful experiences that a person can go through, and some people even compare it to childbirth. Kidney stones form when salts and minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, harden and calcify inside your kidneys. Kidney stones can happen to anyone, but people who are obese, have a poor diet, or drink lots of sugary beverages are more likely to develop them.

In most cases, kidney stones are very small and pass naturally out of your body through your urine. If a kidney stone is too large and can’t exit your body of its own accord, however, you will require kidney stone surgery. There are several different surgical options when it comes to kidney stones, but the goal of each one is to remove the stone from your body.

Types of Kidney Stone Surgery

In all, there are three types of kidney stone surgeries, and they all use different methods to remove kidney stones and ease your suffering.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is where your doctor uses ultrasound energy to break the kidney stone into small pieces. The stone fragments can then pass from your body through your urine in a relatively painless manner. ESWL is performed under general anesthesia due to the intense and painful vibrations against your skin.

Ureteroscopy

A ureteroscopy is a more in-depth and intrusive way to remove kidney stones. During this procedure, you will be put under anesthesia so a ureteroscope can get passed up your ureter. Using a built-in camera, your doctor will guide the ureteroscope to the kidney stone, where it will then grab and remove it. If the stone is too large, your doctor will use laser lithotripsy to break the stone into smaller bits for removal.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

If your kidney stones cannot get removed with the first two options, you can have percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed. A PCNL requires general anesthesia and involves a surgical incision in your back above the affected kidney. Your doctor will then surgically remove the kidney stone after using ultrasound energy to break it into smaller bits.

Each of these surgical options is slightly invasive, but an ESWL is the least invasive option and has the shortest recovery time.

What to Expect Immediately After Kidney Stone Surgery

Your experience following kidney stone surgery will vary depending on the type of procedure you received. For an ESWL or ureteroscopy, you’ll be under a brief period of observation, but you can most likely go home the same day.

If you underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy, however, you may have to stay at the hospital overnight and up to two days.

During that time, you will receive ongoing care and management and undergo x-rays to ensure all of the stone has been removed.

Pain Management Strategies

Recovering from a kidney stone isn’t quite as painful as having one, but it’s still no picnic. Pain will be especially pronounced while walking or urinating for the first several days following the surgery. To combat the pain, you might be given prescription narcotics and stool softeners, as well as Pyridium for urethral irritation.

Potential Risks and Complications

While certain kidney stone surgeries are more invasive than others, there’s a risk of complications with each of them.

• Infection
• Damage to the ureter
• Inflammation or swelling of the ureter
• Internal bleeding

• Missed parts of the stone
• Internal bleeding
• Kidney damage
• Fever

The Recovery Timeline for Kidney Stone Surgery

Even though kidney stone surgeries are short procedures, they have a lengthy recovery period. After ESWL, you can make a full recovery in one to three days when the kidney stone leaves your body. Surgical procedures, however, have a longer recovery period of one to two weeks, while it will take six weeks before you are completely back to normal.

Post-Surgery Care and Rehabilitation

Following your surgery during the recovery and rehabilitation phase, it’s important to get plenty of rest and to take it easy. You should avoid strenuous exercise and activities and avoid lifting heavy objects for several days. After two full days, you can start resuming your normal activities, aside from heavy lifting.

Fluid Intake and Diet Considerations

It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids in the weeks following kidney stone surgery. Staying hydrated will cause frequent urination, which is necessary to completely eradicate your kidney stone. You will also benefit from receiving a recovery vitamin IV because of its hydration and energizing benefits.

Post-Surgery Check-ups and Stone Analysis

Two to three weeks following your surgery, you may need to return for a follow-up appointment. This is necessary to ensure the kidney stone has been removed and to remove your stent as well.

Living Life After Kidney Stone Surgery

To avoid getting kidney stones in the future, you should take on a lifestyle of hydration, exercise, and a healthy diet. Staying away from unhealthy foods and sugary beverages reduces your risk of getting a kidney stone, as does maintaining a healthy weight.

Returning to Daily Life

Once you are fully recovered from your kidney stone surgery, you can get back to life as normal. You shouldn’t have to make any long-term physical limitations or restrictions, and you can get back to your normal routine.

Handling Potential Setbacks

While kidney stone surgery is relatively minor, there’s always a risk of potential setbacks and complications. As such, it’s important to watch out for signs of infection and to call your doctor if you notice the following symptoms.

• Vomiting
• Severe pain in your flank
• Foul-smelling urine
• Excessive lightheadedness

• A persistent burning sensation during urination
• Fever and chills
• Excessive blood in your urine

Summary

As you can see, recovering from kidney stone surgery isn’t as tough as recovering from many other procedures, but it’s still difficult. It’s crucial to take care of yourself during the recovery phase by staying hydrated, getting lots of rest, and not lifting anything that’s heavy and causes strain.
It’s also important to follow your doctor’s instructions to a T and to invest in a recovery vitamin IV to stay hydrated and energized. By having a healthy diet and lifestyle following your surgery, you can avoid kidney stone recurrences in the future.

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