How do I choose which surgery to have for my kidney stones?

Understanding what is the best option for treating your kidney stone can be difficult. In our new chart, we summarize the benefits and drawbacks of each surgical option. While it still won’t make the decision for you, it can help you to make an informed decision when talking to your urologist. For more detailed information and videos, see our treatment pages.

We always welcome feedback. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve the chart by leaving a comment below.

About Dr. Mike Nguyen

Mike M Nguyen, MD, MPH, is a urologist and an Associate Professor of Clinical Urology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, CA. He specializes in the treatment of kidney stones with both surgery and dietary prevention and the in the treatment of kidney and prostate cancer using the latest robotic surgical approaches. He sees patients at clinics located in Los Angeles and La Canada, CA. He is the founder of the www.KidneyStoners.org website.

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Caroline Mills Merz

I have a kidney stone they found while doing a chest x-ray. It’s around 9. It is causing me no pain or discomfort. A general practitioner said leave it alone. Lots of people have stones and never know it. I’m unsure what to do?

Brad

Had a 6mm stone removed via Ureteroscopy with stent inserted. Oxycoden for pain and antibiotic for infection prevention prescribed. Drink plenty of fluids (water).

Day 3 after surgery:
1. pinkish hue to urine. Normal
2. burning at beginning of peeing, but goes away. Normal
3. Intense but momentary pain in kidney during urination. Hopefully this is normal.
4. Dull ache in lower back, most of the time. I think this is normal as well.

None of this compares to the pain I went through for two days prior to procedure. No regrets whatsoever.

I’m hoping all of this clears up once stent is removed at Day 7.