Going For Surgery

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 Hospital Recovery

You will be discharged from the hospital the same day after you have recovered from the anaesthetic and are awake, alert, and tolerating fluids by mouth. It usually takes about 30-60 minutes after the procedure. You will be given a prescription for pain medication after your surgery.

 Expect

To go home the same day (Get someone to drive you home)

Some blood stained urine after the procedure

Mild pain as you pass the small fragments through the urinary tract - this may take a few days to weeks for all of the stone fragments to clear

 After Discharge

Keep your hydration up by drinking a lot of fluid

Take the pain medication prescribed by your doctor

 Contact your GP if

You experience excruciating pain not controlled by the pain medication prescribed by your doctor

You develop a fever, shakes and feel unwell (There is a risk of infection after this procedure)

You have difficulty passing urine after the procedure (Bladder feels full)

 Your next appointment

To see the urologist will be in 3-4 weeks, usually with a repeat X-ray of your urinary tract to ensure that the stones have been cleared

 Total Recovery Time

1 week

 Need for further treatment

After ESWL, stone fragments usually pass out of the body within a few weeks. If you have a larger stone, you may need more ESWL or other treatments.

Kidney stones form again about 20% of the time after ESWL.

ESWL does not replace the need for the preventive treatment of kidney stones, such as drinking a lot of fluids.