Ureteroscopy: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Most people are able to go home the same day of the procedure. But you may need to stay in the hospital. If you do, the stay is usually no more than 24 to 48 hours.

For several hours after the procedure you may have a burning feeling when you urinate. This feeling should go away within a day. Drinking a lot of water can help. Your doctor also may advise you to take medicine that numbs the burning. This medicine is called phenazopyridine. It is available by prescription and over the counter. Brand names include Pyridium and Uristat.

You may have some blood in your urine for 2 or 3 days.

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for a day or two. This will help prevent an infection.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• You can go back to work and other activities the next day.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco and nicotine products. These things slow healing and recovery. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.

Diet

• Try to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water each hour for 2 hours after the procedure. This may help ease the burning when you urinate.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• If you take medicine to stop the burning when you urinate, take it exactly as recommended. Be safe with medicines. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicine your doctor recommends.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.

Heat

• Take a warm bath. This may soothe the burning.
• You also can hold a warm washcloth over your urethra for comfort. (The urethra is where your urine comes out.)

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
• You have new or more blood clots in your urine. (It is normal for the urine to be pink for a few days.)
• You cannot urinate.
• You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
  • Pain or burning when you urinate.
  • A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
  • Pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • A fever.
• You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.
• You have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
  • Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Swelling in the leg or groin.
  • A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you are having any problems.