How do you prepare for bladder stone extraction?

• You will be advised when to stop eating and drinking before your operation, which is usually six hours for food and four hours for fluids.

• You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines before your surgery, usually blood-thinning medicines like warfarin or aspirin.
• Your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration rate will be recorded at regular intervals

What happens during bladder stone extraction?

A small tube with a camera at the end (cystoscope) is inserted through your urethra and into your bladder to view the bladder stones. Your doctor then uses a laser, ultrasound or mechanical device to break the stone into tiny pieces and then flushes the pieces from your bladder.

What happens post-bladder stone extraction?

• You will have a catheter in your bladder to enable the urine to drain and help reduce the bleeding from the incisions

• About a month after bladder stone extraction procedure, your doctor will likely confirm that there are no remaining stone fragments in your bladder.

• You may notice some traces of blood in your urine

• You may notice mild to moderate pain in the suprapubic area. Your doctor may give medication such as Perocet or Vicodin to reduce the pain

What are the risks associated with bladder stone extraction?

• Bladder spasm/pain
• Bladder perforation
• Urethral or ureteral injury
• Hematuria and infection

What are some of the lifestyle changes you need to make after bladder stone extraction?

• You’ll be asked to avoid heavy lifting or contact sports for up to four weeks
• You’ll be advised to  drink at least 2-3 litres of fluid a day for up to three weeks

Key Terminology:

Hematuria: Presence of blood in a person's urine