Has anyone had the surgery where they go throught the back in order to get rid of the kidney stones?

I am so glad to find this site. I had no idea there were so many people going through the same things I am. It really helps to know there are people that understand.

Hello!
I have been to two different urologists. The first one said the stones are too big and that I would need to go to a medical center. He sent me to the University of Michigan hospital. The urologists at the hospital said that the stones are too big. He did give me a copy of the xray and the IVP tests. I have seen the stones. There is one in each kidney that takes up almost all of the space inside the kidney.
I hadn't noticed anyone posting any messages about the surgery. It seems that most people go through the litho.
Thank you for your reply!

A couple of years ago I had this surgery for my left kidney. I have had stones for 8 years (it'll be 9 in Nov). I originally started w/ multiple lithotripsys that would break the stone but always leave some in the kidney. At one point the Dr decided to wait a year since the stones that were left were small. A year later, it had gotten large so they said I need the surgery w/ the tube in the back. I don't know if they have changed the way they had this procedure since then, but it was painful and uncomfortable but then the litho and stents are also painfull :)

I was awake while they put the tube in the back because they needed me to breathe & either be full or empty of air as they put the tube in until they got it where they needed and then they knocked me out.
They did get most of the stone out at that time but a bit was left in. The worst part was having the tube in the back for the 7-10 days.

I don't know if this is the way they still do this type of surgery anymore. The advantage to this surgery is they get more of the stone out plus they bring what they can out through the tube so you don't have to pass them the regular way.

I hope all goes well with your surgery.

Hi

Two years ago, I had my right kidney removed through open surgery because of stones. They were much too large for litho

Thank you so much for the info. I am nervous about the procedure. I didn't know I would have to be awake for the first part. Had they given you a local or something to make you woozy?

We will keep our angel wings crossed for you - Good luck.:angel: :angel: :angel:

If I remeber they give you a local but maybe they don't need you to be awake any more for this part of the surgery. Or maybe they do it differently than the way I had it done 3-4 years ago.

Unfortunately my litho for tomorrow is cancelled until I get my potassium higher as it was to low. I'm rescheduled for July 4 (Happy Holiday!) as long as I get my potassium up.

Good luck!

I am so glad I found you guy!!! The Dr. gave me 3 weeks to pass this last stone or he said "Im going in there and getting it!"
Heres my story:

One day I noticed blood in my urine. I didnt think anything of it because, well im female and we get that usually once a month. Well 3 days went by and I got alarmed. It wasnt what I thought it was and there was a lot more blood now. I went to the dr the next day. He said I had a UTI. I took 10 days of antibiotics. The morning of the 11th day, june 3rd, I woke up at 4 in the morning with extreme pain. Went to the ER. They said I had to kidney stones. One 4-5mm on which has almost past, and another on 5-6mm sitting in my kidney. By June 6th I believe the one had past, though I didnt see it. Went to the DR June 14th. He sent me immediatly to the Urologist. I was a little concerned :confused: . The Urologist's office is connected to a local hospital. So I met with him and he sent me to the hospital to get a KUB. He said that after looking at KUB he cant dissolve it with medicine. He said that I have 3 weeks to pass the stone or he is going to get it out himself.
Well its almost to the end of the first week. I am pushing fluids like crazy. The pain isnt too bad. I noticed this morning a lot of blood in my urine. Im taking this as a good sign that maybe its getting ready to start its little journey down my ureter. I didnt start getting major pain with the other one until it was at the bottom of the ureter.
OK now if you have read this far...THANKS!
So this surgery that everyone talks about with the sound waves or what not, Is it painful? Do they knock you out completly or just put you in a twilight sleep? What is the pain like afterwards?
I realize that all DRs do things differently and every situation is different. I just want to know what some of your experiences were.
Oh and if I have the surgery it will be the 2nd week of July. My birthday is the 14th. Happy 23rd Birthday to me :rolleyes:
THANKS A MILLION!!! :wave:

Hi,

There are several types of surgeries for kidney stones.

Lithotripsy is where they use sound/ shock waves to break up the stone. There is not cutting for this surgery :). There is usually some bruising on the back and pain the first 2 to 3 days after the surgery.
Usually they use anesthia or sometimes an epidural for this surgery (at least that's what's been used on me so far). Sometimes they will insert a stent that will go from the kidney through the ureter into to the bladder. This is to prevent the stone from blocking the flow. A stent is usually painful at first. After a few days there is still some pain and discomfort.

Another surgery is a cystocopy (sp) where they go up through the ureter and then break up the stone that way. I have not had this surgery yet so I'm not sure how much pain/discomfort after this surgery. I might be having this if my next litho on July 3rd does not work.

The surgery through the back is where they put a tube in your back to the kidney then they break the stone this way. This is a painful surgery.

I would think they would try lithotripsy first before this surgery as litho is less invasive and has usually no hospital stay. Usually litho is a same day procedure.

Good luck!

Thank you for your support! These are the first stones I have ever had, and I am very nervous about the upcoming surgery. It helps to know that there are people that understand about the pain, weight loss, and lack of sleep!

Good luck to you Nora01

Hi Laneraft. This was my first kidney stone as well, and I was scared of my procedures. My stone was very large 2CM, which is I believe about an inch big, like a rock they tell me. Anyway, they put me under and did the Lithotripsy, well it did not work. So the second procedure they did was Ureteroscopy with laser surgery. This procedure was very successfull. The urologist said it broke the whole stone up. I had stents with both procedures, still have one in until the 27th of this month, and they will put me under for this as well. If there are still some rather large pieces he will just laser them while he is there. Good Luck with your procedures. Melissa

Hi Laneraft, just checking to see how you are doing? Do you know if you have to have the surgery? Passed any stones? I hope all is well. I would definitely check into getting the lithotripsy or basket procedure or laser surgery before getting the Invasive surgery. That I believe is a last resort, so my urologist told me. My stone was Huge and was rid of by ureteroscopy laser surgery. Good Luck! Let us know how you are doing. Take Care, Melissa

Thank you for checking on me! The surgery is scheduled for the 30th of July. I did check into other methods and the doctor believes that I have the best chance of getting rid of the stone completely with the surgery. I don't have any other reference except this board and it seems like some of the other procedures have to be done a few times to get rid of the stones. I don't know the exact measurements of the stone, but I do know that it fills the inside of the kidney completely.

I hope I am doing the right thing. I believe that I have a good doctor. He is one of the professors at the university.

How are you doing?

Thank you for your support! These are the first stones I have ever had, and I am very nervous about the upcoming surgery. It helps to know that there are people that understand about the pain, weight loss, and lack of sleep!

Good luck to you Nora01

Weight Loss! I have lost 11 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just because I wasn't eating as much (nothing sounds appetizing...). So weight loss is a symptom of kidney stones? The weight loss is the only thing I was happy about with this whole thing... Does the weight stay off? I sure do hope so!;)

I am new to all this, too. I am hoping my stones are small & that I can easily pass them. I have been having quite a bit of pain, all over, really. From my waist down to my thighs. Some burning, some stabbing & some cramping. I woke up this morning with a cramp in the arch of my foot, LOL! I had so much cramping yesterday that my legs are sore. Ugh.

Hope you feel better soon!

I sure didn't get lucky with weight loss when I had the kidney stone. lol I wish I did! Good Luck Laneraft, let us know how everything goes. I am glad you trust your Dr. that is important. Hope you are kidney stone free soon! Good Luck with your procedure! Take Care, Melissa

I agree the wieght loss has been the only good thing about this whole thing. I am up to 23 pounds so far! I have been having alot of cramps in my feet lately. I didn't connect it to the kidney stones, but after reading your note, I am beginning to wonder. Good luck! I hope you get rid of your stones quickly.

Weight Loss! I have lost 11 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just because I wasn't eating as much (nothing sounds appetizing...). So weight loss is a symptom of kidney stones? The weight loss is the only thing I was happy about with this whole thing... Does the weight stay off? I sure do hope so!;)

I am new to all this, too. I am hoping my stones are small & that I can easily pass them. I have been having quite a bit of pain, all over, really. From my waist down to my thighs. Some burning, some stabbing & some cramping. I woke up this morning with a cramp in the arch of my foot, LOL! I had so much cramping yesterday that my legs are sore. Ugh.

Hope you feel better soon!

Hello everyone

I got a call last week to update my surgery to 7/19 from 7/30. I was shocked but took the offer of the new date for a few reasons.

Anyway, I was very scared because I had to have the surgery through the back where they use a tube to break up the stone as much as possible. The surgery was about 4 1/2 hours. The doctor then inserted a drainage tube into my back to let the urine from that kidney drain. The other kidney is draining the regular way.

They kept me over night. On the second day, they did another IVP to see if got all of the stones or not. They did not, so they did a pull back of the drainage tube. They pulled the fat tube out and inserted a smaller tube,

I was sent home with Bactrim, Xycodone, Caglson(stool softener??)

The next day the visiting nurse sent me back to the emergency room with 103 temperature. The hospital filled me with fluids and antibiodics. They tool blood tests and more urine tests.They got the temperature down to 99.9 and let me go home again. (They did change the Bactrim to Cipro)

Anyway, everything now appears to be working. My follow up appointment is Thursday, where I hope they pull the drainage tube out.

I just thought I would keep you all posted.:) :confused:

Hi Lana

The tube is the worst part of that surgery.

I too was sent home and ending up back in the hospital w/ tempature within 2 days of being released. Also because I was vomiting and could not keep any of the pain or other medications down.

Good luck with getting the tube out.:angel:

I understand what you mean about getting the tube out. It is August 7th and they are just now scheduling the tube removal. This is taking forever.
They did not get all of the stone during the surgery due to the size and that it was a staghorn. I have to have the surgery on the other side next, and then Litho to get all of the small stones left behind.

I agree the wieght loss has been the only good thing about this whole thing. I am up to 23 pounds so far! I have been having alot of cramps in my feet lately. I didn't connect it to the kidney stones, but after reading your note, I am beginning to wonder. Good luck! I hope you get rid of your stones quickly.

For cramps in the feet, refrigerate a canned food (anyone will do - the cheaper the better because you may be throwing it out.) Place the can on the floor and roll it under the arch of your bear feet and keep rolling until the cramping dies down. Works best if you take the label off. Works best with a taller can (like canned corn rather then tuna). Also works with metal balls if you can get them.

hello all,
i too am scheduled to have this surgery done where they go through my back and i am very worried about it. can you please tell me more about it. how bad is the pain? how big are the tubes that are coming out of your back? how long are they in? how uncomfortable is it laying in the bed with the tubes in? how many surgeries did you have to have? what is the recovery like when they send you home? how long before you were able to get back to work?
i know i asked alot of questions, believe me these are all questions i asked my doc, but it is different when you have the chance to ask a person who has actually been through the surgery. any response would be helpful.
thanks in advance!!!!

hello all,
i too am scheduled to have this surgery done where they go through my back and i am very worried about it. can you please tell me more about it. how bad is the pain? The pain all depends. I don't know if they still keep people awake for the insert of the tube. Mine was 4 years ago & I was awake for that part then they knock you out. The tube is not too painful just uncomfortable and a pain in the $%^. They also did not get all of the stone when the did my surgery but I hear that is not uncommon. Getting the tube pulled out was not too painful just weird. Then they left the open to close naturally (don't know if still do) so I had to pack my back with gauze becuase fluid comes out. Alot at first then after a few days it slowed down.how big are the tubes that are coming out of your back? Not too big. They are hooked up to a bag to collect the fuluid. how long are they in? I'm not sure but I think it was in for about a week?. how uncomfortable is it laying in the bed with the tubes in? I could not lay on my back and found laying on the side without the tube the most comfortable. how many surgeries did you have to have? Only one surgery through the back but I've had multiple lithotripsys (blasting) and one ureterscopy. But I'm a serial stone producer and have serveral family members on my fathers side that also have gotten stones. what is the recovery like when they send you home? how long before you were able to get back to work? I was out for a total of 3 weeks. I probably could have gone back about 2 weeks if I had no complications.
i know i asked alot of questions, believe me these are all questions i asked my doc, but it is different when you have the chance to ask a person who has actually been through the surgery. any response would be helpful.
thanks in advance!!!!

Good luck with your surgery. :)

hello all,
i too am scheduled to have this surgery done where they go through my back and i am very worried about it. can you please tell me more about it. how bad is the pain? how big are the tubes that are coming out of your back? how long are they in? how uncomfortable is it laying in the bed with the tubes in? how many surgeries did you have to have? what is the recovery like when they send you home? how long before you were able to get back to work?
i know i asked alot of questions, believe me these are all questions i asked my doc, but it is different when you have the chance to ask a person who has actually been through the surgery. any response would be helpful.
thanks in advance!!!!
Hello, Beestro32
I understand your concerns because I was so nervous before the surgery. I still have the tube in my back. I am scheduled to get it pulled on 8/15 and I can't wait! All in all the whole process was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The tube does not hurt but is a pain in the %#@ as Nora said. I just had the surgery on 7/19. They did put me out before starting the procedure. They kept me in the hospital overnight and then sent me home. I was off of work for 2 weeks and then was more than ready to go back to work. They put in a bigger tube during the surgery and then the next morning before discharging me they pulled the "fat tube" and put in a smaller tube. I don't know if that is common procedure or not. I have to have the surgery on the left side soon, but I am not as nervous because it is not as bad as I had been anticipating. Plus I feel so much better...many of my symtoms went away with the big rock. When is your surgery scheduled for?
Good luck with it! I am sure it will go well and you will feel much better to get the stone out.

Hello, Beestro32
I understand your concerns because I was so nervous before the surgery. I still have the tube in my back. I am scheduled to get it pulled on 8/15 and I can't wait! All in all the whole process was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The tube does not hurt but is a pain in the %#@ as Nora said. I just had the surgery on 7/19. They did put me out before starting the procedure. They kept me in the hospital overnight and then sent me home. I was off of work for 2 weeks and then was more than ready to go back to work. They put in a bigger tube during the surgery and then the next morning before discharging me they pulled the "fat tube" and put in a smaller tube. I don't know if that is common procedure or not. I have to have the surgery on the left side soon, but I am not as nervous because it is not as bad as I had been anticipating. Plus I feel so much better...many of my symtoms went away with the big rock. When is your surgery scheduled for?
Good luck with it! I am sure it will go well and you will feel much better to get the stone out.


i was just wondering why your tube has been in for almost a month? is that common practice? you can work like that? thank you for answering my questions, it has put my mind at ease a little bit. i am still very nervous but not as much.....my surgery is scheduled for the 20th of this month. i am looking forward to feeling better.......thanks again!!!!!

When they did the surgery, the doctor was unable to get all of the stone because it was a staghorn and parts of it were in nooks and crannies. He was hoping some of the left behind pieces would pass out of the tube. Also, this last week was just a bonus because I couldn't get an appointment at the hospital to get the tube pulled. So, it should have only been 3 weeks. As far as working goes, the tube doesn't hurt but the bag is a pain. I have a desk job so it is not a problem. I will tell you that I am glad I had it done because the problems the stone caused were so much worse than this whole procedure has been. Plus I still have a large stone on my left side and am in the process of scheduling another surgery but for that side. I hope this info has helped. I know that it is a scary thing, but the worst part is the anticipation. When I woke up from the surgery, they had me on morephine so I felt no pain. I had a great sleep for the first time in months! I will be thinking about you. Keep us posted on how things go!

When they did the surgery, the doctor was unable to get all of the stone because it was a staghorn and parts of it were in nooks and crannies. He was hoping some of the left behind pieces would pass out of the tube. Also, this last week was just a bonus because I couldn't get an appointment at the hospital to get the tube pulled. So, it should have only been 3 weeks. As far as working goes, the tube doesn't hurt but the bag is a pain. I have a desk job so it is not a problem. I will tell you that I am glad I had it done because the problems the stone caused were so much worse than this whole procedure has been. Plus I still have a large stone on my left side and am in the process of scheduling another surgery but for that side. I hope this info has helped. I know that it is a scary thing, but the worst part is the anticipation. When I woke up from the surgery, they had me on morephine so I felt no pain. I had a great sleep for the first time in months! I will be thinking about you. Keep us posted on how things go!

lane,
thanks you so much for the info. it has put my mind at ease a little bit, i will update you after the surgery

hello all
well tomorrow is the big day, i go in for my Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy. i am pretty scared but is has to be done or the docs say i will lose my left kidney. i will prob be in the hospital for about a week but will post any updates when i get home. thanks for all the support and advice and i will talk to you all when i get home

just wanted to let everyone know i am now home from my surgery where they went in through my back. the surgery itself sucked and was pretty painfull i thought, but now am home with just a nephrostomy baga nd tube. hopefully only till wednesday. ok well thanks again for everyones advice and suporrt
bryan

Bryan,

Glad to see you made it thorugh incident free and Welcome home. Here's hopes for a speedy recovery. So they let you go early? That is a great sign.

I am happy the surgery is over and it sounds as if it went well. Did they tell you if they got all of the stone or will they check on Wednesday when you go back in?

I am happy the surgery is over and it sounds as if it went well. Did they tell you if they got all of the stone or will they check on Wednesday when you go back in?

they did not get all of the stone. they got about 85% so on wednesday i have to go back and see what we are gonna have to do about the rest. possobly litho? i dont know for sure though

lane i have another question for you. when they took your tube out did they put you to sleep for that? also what do they do just stitch up the hole

Well I just found out that I have to have surgery on Sept 10th. It is the surgery where they go through your private and "shoot" it with a laser.
I'm really nervous. The dr said that even if it does pass. He is still going to go in there because there is going to be scare tissue he will remove. This is my 2nd kidney stone since June.
Has anyone had this procedure? Is there a lot of pain after words?
I think i'm more afraid of being put to sleep again. Any words or wisdom? Im only 23 and I have had one other surgery. During that surgery I woke up half way through it.
ANY ADVICE IS AWESOME! THANKS!!!!!!

lane i have another question for you. when they took your tube out did they put you to sleep for that? also what do they do just stitch up the hole

Hi-

Good to hear your home and hopefully feeling better. I had the same surgery you had a few years ago. When they took the tube out, they did not put me to sleep (but maybe that's changed) and they also did not stitch up the hole. They let it close naturally as they say it heals better. I don't know if that has changed now.

I had to using packing/gauze around they hole for about a week as fluid comes out. Alot on the first few days and then less as the hole closes.

I would ask your doctor to tell you exactly what is going to happen before & after they take the tube out & what to expect as I was not given much information at the time.

I'm am much better now at asking questions :) I am also starting to get copies of all my medical records from all my doctors to create a binder of all my information so I can get copies of test results.

Hope you feel better soon.

Well I just found out that I have to have surgery on Sept 10th. It is the surgery where they go through your private and "shoot" it with a laser.
I'm really nervous. The dr said that even if it does pass. He is still going to go in there because there is going to be scare tissue he will remove. This is my 2nd kidney stone since June.
Has anyone had this procedure? Is there a lot of pain after words?
I think i'm more afraid of being put to sleep again. Any words or wisdom? Im only 23 and I have had one other surgery. During that surgery I woke up half way through it.
ANY ADVICE IS AWESOME! THANKS!!!!!!

Hi - I actually had this surgery on July 3rd and found it easier than lithotripsy. I and 6-7 stones stuck in my ureter. I had a stent at the time which allowed urine to continue to flow. I I did not have scar tissue (that I know of) so I don't know if this would make the procedure more painful.
There is some pain & discomfort after just like litho.

I think everyone fears getting anesthia. I'm actually going in for another litho on 9/4 and I think the worst part is the nausea after anesthia. I mentioned this on the July surgery and the gave me something in the IV that made that much better. About waking up during anesthia, I would make sure you talk w/ the doctor who will be doing the anesthia on your next surgery. Make sure she/he is aware what happened before that way they can make sure that doesn't happen again.

Good luck

I was really nervous when Iwent into have thetbe pulled. They did not put me out when they pulled the tube. I was very suprised, but there was no pain at all when they pulled the tube. It felt wierd because I could feel it moving internally, but it didn't hurt.

I had the same problem where they were unable to get all of the stone. I am having the litho on 9/24. Once the right kidney is clear of stones, I have to start the process on the left kidney.

Goodluck to you

Oops forgot about your question regarding the hole.

They did not stitch up the hole. They left it to close naturally. Kind of strange because the urine still comes out that hole for about 24hours. The hole did close in about 24 hours

I have to let everyone know...I PASSED MY STONE!! NO surgery on monday!! Yeah!! It was big. It looked like a sonic the hedge hog head. I fill like I just gave birth to a 10 lb baby

Congratulations!

Great timing on your part!