Living With a Double J Stent After Kidney Stone Surgery

You may have been told that the stone operation went well, yet still feel pressure in the bladder, need to urinate frequently or notice discomfort in the kidney area. If a double-J stent is in place, some of these symptoms may come from the stent rather than a new stone. Knowing what to expect, when to call and when the stent should come out makes recovery easier to manage.

A stent needs a clear follow-up plan. If you have had stone treatment and are unsure about removal, arrange a review with your treating team. Dr. Amin Mir Sadeghi can also assess patients who need follow-up after surgery elsewhere when their records are available.

What a double J stent does

A ureteric stent is a thin internal tube connecting the kidney and bladder. Its curled ends help keep it in position. It supports urine drainage when a stone, swelling or another problem could obstruct the ureter.

A stent may be placed before definitive stone treatment, after ureteroscopy or RIRS, or during another stone procedure. It is different from a bladder catheter, which drains urine from the bladder, and from a nephrostomy tube, which drains the kidney through the skin into an external bag.

Having a stent does not necessarily mean the stone has already been removed. Sometimes drainage is the first stage and the stone procedure comes later. Your discharge summary should explain which stage you are at.

Symptoms you may notice

Stent-related symptoms can include urgency, frequent urination, a feeling of incomplete emptying, mild blood staining and discomfort in the bladder or flank. Some people notice more symptoms after activity or while passing urine. Others have little discomfort.

These symptoms should be discussed in context. A stent does not make fever, severe pain or inability to urinate harmless. New or worsening symptoms may need testing for infection or a drainage problem rather than simply more pain medicine.

When to seek prompt medical help

Seek urgent assessment for fever or shaking chills, severe or increasing flank pain, persistent vomiting, inability to pass urine, heavy bleeding or clots. Contact the treating team if a stent appears to have moved or an external string is accidentally pulled. Do not push a protruding device back into the body.

Managing daily life while the stent is in place

Follow the fluid advice in your discharge plan. Your needs depend on kidney and heart health, activity and climate; forcing large volumes is not right for everyone. Use prescribed medicines as directed and ask for review if discomfort is preventing sleep or normal activity.

Gentle activity may be more comfortable initially. Heavy exercise can worsen symptoms for some patients. Ask about work, driving, sex and travel because the advice depends on the operation as well as the stent. An external removal string may require additional precautions.

If antibiotics have been prescribed, follow that specific course. Do not take leftover antibiotics or assume that every stent requires ongoing antibiotics. Keep your discharge information available in case another doctor needs to assess you.

Stent removal and why the date matters

Most stents used around stone surgery are temporary. The planned duration depends on the reason for insertion and any further procedure. There is no single removal date that applies to every patient.

Before leaving hospital, confirm the review or removal date, the responsible clinic and how to contact the team if the appointment is unclear. A forgotten stent can develop mineral deposits, become blocked or be more difficult to remove.

Some stents have a string and others are removed using a small telescope through the urethra. Only remove a stent yourself if the treating team has explicitly instructed and trained you to do so. The presence of a string alone is not permission to pull it.

What follow-up should include

After removal, the team may arrange imaging, urine tests or stone analysis depending on the operation. The review checks that drainage is satisfactory and whether any stone fragments remain. It is also an opportunity to discuss prevention and any symptoms that have continued.

Our urinary system check-up article explains the role of follow-up testing. If you are still choosing a procedure, the stone surgery overview provides the broader context.

Frequently asked questions

Can I feel the stent without anything being wrong

Yes. Bladder irritation and flank discomfort can occur with a correctly positioned stent. Persistent or severe symptoms still deserve review so that a treatable problem is not missed.

Is a stent the same as a permanent implant

Usually not in stone treatment. Most are temporary. Longer-term stents require an explicit monitoring and exchange plan.

What if I do not know when my stent should be removed

Contact the clinic that inserted it promptly and request the plan. Keep the insertion date and procedure summary available when arranging review.

Arrange your stone surgery follow-up

For a review of stent symptoms, recovery or the next stage of stone treatment, request a consultation with Dr. Amin Mir Sadeghi. Bring the operation date, discharge summary and latest scan so the next step can be planned accurately.

Related articles

Ureteroscopy and TUL for a Ureter Stone That Will Not Pass

PCNL for Large Kidney Stones and Staghorn Stones

Surgical care in Dubai

Hospitals for Urological Surgery

Dr. Amin Mir Sadeghi performs urological surgery at American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital and Trellis Hospital in Dubai. Contact Dr. Amin's team to discuss your procedure and arrange your appointment.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital

Surgical care with Dr. Amin · Dubai

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Trellis Hospital

Surgical care with Dr. Amin · Dubai

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Appointments are arranged directly by Dr. Amin's team. The team will confirm the hospital and availability.