If you have had the stone taken out with the special telescope, you will not have a cut in the skin nor any extra drainage tubes. If a cut was needed, you will have a drain tube coming out of the skin near the wound. This is to drain any residual blood or other fluid from the area of the operation and is usually removed one to two days after the operation. You may have a fine, thin plastic tube (drip) in an arm vein giving you blood or salt solutions. You will have a fine plastic tube (catheter) coming out of the front passage or penis to drain urine out of the bladder. A general anaesthetic will make you slow, clumsy and forgetful for about 24 hours. The nurses will help you with everything you need until you are able to do things for yourself. Do not make important decisions during this time. If you have only had the special instrument, there is only some soreness in the front passage or penis. If you have had a cut, there is some discomfort on moving rather than severe pain. You will be given injections or tablets to control this as required. Ask for more if the pain is not well controlled or if it is getting worse.
You will most likely be able to get out of bed with the help of the nurses the day after the operation despite some discomfort. You will not do the wound any harm, and the exercise is very helpful for you. The second day after the operation you should be able to spend most of your time out of bed and in reasonable comfort. By the end of one week the wound should be virtually pain free. If you have only had the special instrument, and as long as you are not feeling sick, you will be able to start drinking within two to three hours of the operation. The next day you should be able to manage small helpings of normal food. If you have had the bigger operation, you will be able to start taking drinks once your tummy is soft. This is after about 24 hours. By the end of 48 hours you should be starting to eat more solid food. The arm drip tube will be taken out once you are drinking freely. You may have some blood in the urine catheter for a day or two. Once this clears and you are able to get out of bed easily the catheter will be taken out. It is important that you pass urine properly after the catheter is out and also after the special instrument has been used. The doctors and nurses will check this.
If you had the operation through a skin cut, the wound may have stitches or clips or may be held together with just stitches underneath the skin. You can wash as soon as the dressing has been removed but try to keep the wound area dry until the stitches/clips come out. If there are only stitches underneath the skin, try to keep the wound dry for a week. Soap and warm tap water are entirely adequate. Salted water is not necessary. You can shower or take a bath as often as you want. The nurses will talk to you about your home arrangements so that a proper time for you to leave hospital can be arranged. Some hospitals arrange a check-up about one month after leaving hospital. Others leave check-ups to the general practitioner. The nurses will advise about sick notes, certificates etc.
