Kidney Stone Surgery Reviews: Patient Experiences and Recovery

Kidney stones are a common and uncomfortable health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. These crystallized mineral deposits can cause severe pain, bleeding, and infections as they move through the urinary tract. Fortunately, modern medicine offers various surgical methods to get rid of kidney stones. However, many people considering these surgeries wonder about the experiences of other patients. Comments from those who have had kidney stone surgery provide valuable information about this process. This article will examine in depth the experiences of those who have undergone kidney stone surgery and discuss different treatment methods, recovery processes, and potential risks.

Comments From Those Who Had Kidney Stone Surgery

The experiences of those who have undergone kidney stone surgery shed light on different aspects of the treatment process. These comments can be both encouraging and cautionary for potential patients.

Pain Management and Experiences During Surgery

Although many patients think that their biggest concern before surgery will be severe pain, they generally do not feel pain during surgery thanks to modern anesthesia techniques. Postoperative pain varies depending on the method used. Mild pain and discomfort have generally been reported after ESWL. After URS and PNL, more noticeable pain and a burning sensation are common, especially in the first few days. Patients usually state that they manage this condition with prescription painkillers.

For example, one patient described their experience after URS as follows: “I felt a little discomfort on the first day after surgery, but it was controlled with painkillers. The most uncomfortable part was the burning sensation while urinating, and that lasted a few days.”

Another patient stated the following after PNL: “The incision site on my back was a little painful at first, but by following my doctor’s instructions and using painkillers regularly, I recovered in a short time.”

Recovery Process and Return to Daily Life

Recovery time varies depending on the surgical method applied and the patient’s general health condition.

• ESWL: The fastest recovery process is usually with ESWL. Patients can generally return to normal activities on the same day or the next day. However, passing stone fragments may take several weeks, and occasional pain or discomfort may be experienced during this process.
• URS: Patients can usually return to normal activities within 1-3 days. Full recovery may take a few weeks. Some patients, especially if a stent has been placed, may experience side effects such as discomfort while urinating or frequent urination.
• PNL: Recovery time after PNL is slightly longer. Patients usually stay in the hospital for 1-3 days and may need 2-4 weeks or more for full recovery. Avoiding heavy physical activities is recommended.
• Open Surgery: The longest recovery period occurs in cases requiring open surgery. The hospital stay may be longer, and 6-8 weeks or more may be needed for full recovery.

One patient shared the following in a social media group after URS: “I felt a little tired for the first two days after surgery, but I was able to return to work on the third day. I only avoided heavy lifting for a few weeks.”

Another patient who underwent PNL added: “I had some movement restriction after surgery, but I recovered quickly by doing the exercises my doctor recommended and resting. Now there is almost no scar left.”

Potential Complications and Side Effects

As with every surgical procedure, kidney stone surgeries also have some risks and complications. The most common side effects are as follows:

• Infection: There is a risk of urinary tract infections or kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Antibiotic treatment usually prevents or treats this condition.
• Bleeding: The risk of bleeding is higher especially in PNL and open surgery. Rarely, blood transfusion may be required.
• Pain: Postoperative pain is common but can usually be controlled with painkillers.
• Remaining Stone Fragments: Especially after ESWL and URS, it is possible that stones may not be completely cleared and small fragments may remain. This may require additional treatment.
• Stent-Related Problems: Stents placed in the urinary tract after URS or PNL may cause discomfort such as burning while urinating, frequent urination, and mild pain. Removal of the stent relieves these symptoms.
• Kidney Damage: In very rare cases, there may be a risk of kidney damage, especially after repeated surgeries or serious complications.

In a patient forum, one patient expressed discomfort caused by the stent after URS as follows: “A stent had to be placed. I had burning while urinating and occasional mild pain. I felt relieved when the stent was removed.”

Doctor Selection and Hospital Experience

Patients’ experiences also vary depending on the expertise of the doctor they choose and the facilities offered by the hospital. A doctor who communicates well, listens to the patient’s concerns, and explains the process clearly increases the patient’s overall satisfaction. A clean and well-organized hospital environment also positively affects the recovery process.

One patient described their positive experience with their doctor as follows: “My doctor explained what would happen at every step and answered my questions patiently. This helped a lot in reducing my anxiety before surgery.”

Things to Consider After Kidney Stone Surgery

The postoperative period is critically important for preventing stone recurrence and maintaining general health.

• Fluid Consumption

Drinking plenty of water is one of the most important recommendations after kidney stone surgery. Consuming at least 2-3 liters of water per day dilutes the urine and helps eliminate minerals that prevent stone formation. Water is the best option, but your doctor may also recommend herbal teas or other suitable fluids.

• Dietary Adjustments

Dietary recommendations may vary according to the type of stone.

Calcium Oxalate Stones: This is the most common type. Instead of completely stopping calcium intake, balanced calcium intake is important. Consult your doctor before consuming foods high in oxalate (spinach, rhubarb, hazelnuts, chocolate, beets).

Calcium Phosphate Stones: Limiting sodium (salt) intake is important.

Uric Acid Stones: Reducing animal protein consumption (red meat, offal) may be beneficial.

Your doctor or a dietitian can create a personalized nutrition plan for you.

• Medication Treatment

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to prevent stone formation or regulate urine pH. Regular use of these medications is important.

• Activity Level

Follow the activity level recommended by your doctor after surgery. While light walks are generally recommended, heavy lifting and intense exercise should be avoided. As the recovery process is completed, the activity level can be gradually increased.

• Follow-Up Appointments

Regular doctor check-ups after surgery are necessary to ensure that the stones have been completely cleared and to detect possible recurrences early. Urine analysis, blood tests, and imaging methods (ultrasound, X-ray) may be used during these check-ups.

Mistakes Made During the Kidney Stone Surgery Process and Things to Avoid

Some mistakes made by patients and sometimes healthcare professionals may negatively affect the treatment process.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Following Doctor’s Recommendations: Ignoring postoperative instructions (medication use, nutrition, activity restrictions) may prolong the recovery process or increase the risk of complications.
• Insufficient Fluid Consumption: The importance of drinking plenty of water is often emphasized, but patients underestimating this increases the risk of stone recurrence. Drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day is critical.
• Ignoring Dietary Recommendations: When dietary changes specific to the type of stone are not made, the likelihood of stones forming again is high. For example, excessive consumption of foods high in oxalate.
• Neglecting Pain or Discomfort: Severe pain, fever, or bleeding in the urine that starts after surgery may be a sign of infection or another complication. When these symptoms are noticed, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
• Returning to Physical Activity Too Early: The body needs time to heal. Doing heavy work or intense exercise before the time allowed by the doctor may disrupt wound healing or cause bleeding.
• Skipping Follow-Up Appointments: Postoperative check-ups are vital to confirm that the stones have been completely cleared and to detect possible problems early. Missing these appointments may lead to future health problems.
• Relying Too Much on Alternative Treatments: Herbal or alternative methods may be tried alongside medical treatment, but they should never replace the medical treatment recommended by the doctor. Relying especially on methods without scientific evidence can be dangerous.
• Not Informing the Doctor: Not fully informing the doctor about all medications used, herbal supplements, and known allergies may cause drug interactions or allergic reactions.
• Insufficient Information: Not having enough information about the surgical method, risks, benefits, and recovery process may lead to unnecessary concerns and reduce patient compliance.

Prof. Dr. Berkan Reşorlu

Prof. Dr. Berkan Reşorlu, born in Ankara in 1979, completed his medical education at Ankara University between 1997 and 2003, and his specialization in urology at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine between 2003 and 2008. Academically, he received the title of associate professor in 2013 and professor in 2022.

He has conducted extensive case series studies in the field of endoscopic stone surgery, contributed surgeries performed on children under the age of 1 to the literature, and has gained international recognition with his stone scoring system and experimental surgical models.