Before the Procedure:

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you are or could be pregnant.
• What drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
• If you have been drinking a lot of alcohol.
• You are allergic to contrast dye used during x-rays.

On the day of the surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything for at least 6 hours before the procedure.
• Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital. Bring all of your medicines with you.

After the Procedure:

You will be taken to the recovery room. You may be able to eat soon if you do not have an upset stomach.

You may be able to go home within 24 hours. If there are problems, your doctor may keep you in the hospital longer.

The doctor will take out the tubes if x-rays show that the kidney stones are gone and your kidney has healed. If stones are still there, you may have the same procedure again soon.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy or nephrolithotomy will almost always help ease the symptoms of kidney stones. Often, your doctor is able to get rid of your kidney stones completely. But sometimes you will need to have other procedures to get rid of the stones.

Most people who are treated for kidney stones need to make lifestyle changes so that their bodies do not make new kidney stones. These changes include avoiding certain foods and not taking certain vitamins. Some people also have to take medicines to keep new stones from forming.