STONE SURGERY:

METHODS TO REDUCE THE RECURRENCE RATE OF URINARY
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS


You have required surgery for removal of stones from your urinary
tract. Although a variety of methods are employed for treatment of
stone disease, some general instruction concerning your
postoperative care are important to understand.


If you have a stent placed, you will be so informed by Dr. Bertini.
This is a small rubber tube that is placed inside of the tract that
leads from the kidney to the bladder. This tube helps the passage of
small stone debris out of your system. The stent may cause some
urinary irritability, stinging while voiding, slight back pain while
voiding and small amounts of blood in the urine. Occasionally, the
stent is connected to a small blue string which comes out of the
urinary opening. Do not pull on the string, as it will cause the stent
to become dislodged. The string is present to allow Dr. Bertini to
remove it in the office without instrumentation.


Your diet after stone surgery should consist of increased fluids.
Drink enough fluid to remove the red color from your urine. Half of
what you drink should be water; the remaining half should be divide
among any fluid, avoiding excesses. Alcohol should not be ingested
if pain medication is being taken.


If an antibiotic is prescribed, take it until the prescription is
complete. If pain medication is prescribed, take it carefully as
directed.


You will need to call for a return appointment to see Dr. Bertini as
instructed.
When you arrive in his office, please be sure to be able to give a
urine specimen.

If you have been instructed to strain your urine, please do so
faithfully. Bring all fragments with you into the office during your
visit. They will be submitted for stone analysis. The stone analysis,
which takes approximately three to four weeks to return, is
important to identify any methods which can be employed to
reduce the recurrence of stone disease.

The stone analysis is probably the single most important piece of
information
concerning prevention of stone disease. Some of you will have
received a booklet entitled, "Urinary Stones." If you have not, ask
for it during your postoperative visit to the office. This booklet is
very informative concerning treatment and prevention of stone
disease.

If any unusual symptoms or emergencies should arise, please
contact Dr. Bertini-if possible, during office hours-if not, your call
will be forwarded automatically through the answering service for a
call back from Dr. Bertini.


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