What can be expected after treatment for kidney stones?
Recovery times vary depending upon treatment, with the less invasive procedures allowing shorter recovery periods and quicker return to activity. Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL): Patients generally go home the same day as the procedure and are able to resume a normal activity level in two to three days. Fluid intake is encouraged, as larger quantities of urine can help stone fragments to pass. Because the fragments need to pass spontaneously down the ureter, some flank pain can be anticipated. It is possible that the stone may not have shattered well enough to pass all of the fragments. If so, a repeat SWL treatment or other option may be required. If a stent was placed prior to SWL, this will need to be removed in your urologist’s office within a few weeks. Stents are usually well tolerated by patients but can occasionally cause some bladder irritation and frequent urination. Ureteroscopy (URS): Patients normally go home the same day and can resume normal activity in two to three days. A
