Everything you need to know
Stones can develop in just one kidney or both, and most often affect people between the ages of 30 and 60. If a stone is very small, you could pee it out without any problems. However, if a stone grows larger, or you have multiple stones, you will need treatment to prevent a blockage in your tubes, an infection, or your kidneys not working properly.
Kidney stones can be made of different substances:
Calcium oxalate
These stones are the most common (around 80%). There are many reasons for these developing, including:
- Not drinking enough water
- Eating a diet that’s too high in protein, salt, or sugar
- Being overweight
- Having a digestive disease such as IBD, Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
- Having had weight loss surgery
Uric acid
Uric acid is a waste product that forms when your body breaks down chemicals called purines. If you have high levels of uric acid, crystals form, which combine with other substances to create a stone. These stones tend to run in families, but are also linked to:
- Chemotherapy
- Conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes
- A diet high in salt and sugar
- Weight loss surgery
- Taking certain medications, such as diuretics and immune suppressants
Struvite
Struvite stones are not that common and are related to chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some bacteria make the urine less acidic and more alkaline. Struvite stones can form in alkaline urine. These stones are often large and grow very quickly.
Cystine
These are caused by a rare genetic disorder called cystinuria which causes a substance called Cystine to leak into your urine. Cystine is an insoluble amino acid, so it doesn’t break down, but clumps together into stones instead. These tend to be larger than other stones and will keep recurring, so this condition needs lifelong management. These stones often start forming in young adulthood, but some people will get them when they’re still children or even babies.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Larger kidney stones can cause several symptoms, including:
- Severe pain that comes and goes (almost always on one side)
- Pain near the groin, pelvis, or abdomen
- Pain whilst urinating
- Blood in your pee
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever and chills
Treating kidney stones
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, we have recently invested in state-of-the-art laser technology to treat kidney stones, called Thulium Fiber laser. This is the best of its kind. We are one of the first private hospitals in the UK to invest in this cutting-edge technology.
The Thulium Fiber laser allows doctors to rapidly disintegrate stones into very fine sand (rather than small particles which is the case with other laser technology). This means less pain for the patient, a faster operating time, and a more comfortable recovery.
It also means that in the case of multiple large stones, these can be all dealt with quickly (under one hour), in one go, rather than two separate treatments. In most cases, patients will go home the same day and can be back at work as soon as the next day.
Before surgery
You’ll first need to book an appointment with one of our consultant urologists. They will be able to discuss your symptoms with you, run necessary tests and determine the best approach to treat your kidney stones.
During surgery
A kidney stones procedure using the Thulium Fiber laser, is most commonly done as an endoscopic procedure (which uses the natural corridors of the body), which is performed under a short general anaesthetic. This means you will be asleep.
A long, flexible tube with a tiny light and camera, called a ureteroscope, is inserted into the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body). This travels up through the bladder and into the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). Once the stones are located, they are lasered down into fine sand. This can be done in less than an hour. The fine sand is sent off for analysis to find out the chemical composition of your stones.
After this, your surgeon may insert a tube called a stent between the kidney and urethra, which promotes healing and allows particles in the urine to leave the body more easily. The stent also allows the kidneys to drain during the healing process.
Once you wake up, the pain from the kidney stones will be gone but there will still be some discomfort (particularly if a stent has been fitted). After a couple of hours rest in hospital, you can go home, once we’re sure you’re ok. Before leaving, we will ask you to collect a pee sample. You are not allowed to drive after general anaesthetic, so someone will need to collect you and take you home.
After surgery
If a stent has been fitted, it can make you feel like you need to pee, and it can cause some blood to appear in the urine. Men may feel pain in the penis or testicles as well.
Your doctor will prescribe medications after the procedure. Generally, these include an antibiotic to prevent infection, a pain killer, and possibly something to help with bladder spasms and stent related symptoms.
You should drink lots of water to encourage any particles to move out of the kidney. You will probably need to pee more often and urgently, so stay close to a toilet.
Most people can resume their daily routine the day after surgery. However, if you’ve had a stent fitted, avoid high-intensity workouts until it’s been removed. Some pain medications restrict activities like driving, so make sure you read the labels carefully.
You will have a follow-up appointment with your doctor around one or two weeks post-surgery. If you have a stent, it will be removed at this point. This is done through your bladder and can be done with you awake. Sometimes, a stent will be left in longer if your surgeon feels it will help with healing. The stent can stay in for up to three months, so don’t worry if your stent is kept in longer than a week.
At this stage, your doctor will have also received the results of your stone analysis. Based on the stone’s composition, your doctor will recommend ways to prevent future kidney stones. This could include making changes to your diet, taking supplements or medications.
£5,495
The price shown includes all costs associated with your treatment, from admission to discharge.
Doesn’t include surgeon or anaesthetist fee.
Our hospital fee is guaranteed at the price quoted and valid for one month from the date issued, subject to pre-assessment.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.