Stent Removal

[Meinuk]

Today is day 33 post transplant for me, and I had my stent removed.  I decided to write about stents and describe my experience of removal.  (not a big deal - If you are reading about this because the idea of a stent bothers you - let me tell you it really is a quick, straightforward procedure.)

A stent is placed during renal transplant to maintain integrety of the ureter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureter, bladder and urethra, there are some discussions, and a few studies about not using stents in patients who do not have bladder/ureter issues, but as my urologist said, transplant programs live and die by their outcomes, and no one wants to lose a graft due to stenosis of the ureter.

Keep in mind that I am writing about my experience (female) those of you with external plumbing (those men in the audience) well, needless to say, your experience will differ.

Below is a picture of a double pigtail ureteral stent (what I had partially coiled in my bladder and then reaching down into my urethra) it is a few inches long, and made of a soft, flexible silicone.

My Tx Clinic Nephrologist made the referral on week 3 (normally scheduled between weeks 4 and 6) for me to have my stent out.  The clinic made my appointment for me.

Today

I got to the Urologists office at 3:40 for a 4pm appointment, filled out my forms, handed the receptionist the letter stating that this is part of the transplant process and Medicare would be paying for it (supplied by my Transplant clinic).

The Doctor came out, called my name, shook my hand and led me back to a procedure room.  He explained that Thursday was his nurses day off, and he would be prepping me.  I was told to use the bathroom and empty my bladder, then undress from the waist down,  (socks on! it is cold) and hop up on the table.

He then swabbed the pertinent areas with betadine and then applied a lidocain gel to my urethra.  I then had to lay there and wait for the gel to work.  (about 10 mins)

The doctor then came back into the room, inserted a small camera which is hoooked up to saline for flushing purposes  in to my urethra (no pain, some wetness, a little pushing sensation), he then visualized the stent and removed it. (all in all 2 mins from insertion to removal)

He showed me the stent, then was required to send it off to pathology for testing (a needless medical test, as I had no symptoms of urinary tract infection a waste of money IMHO)

I was advised to take another bactrim tonight, and that there may be some blood in my urine tonight, and some irritation and urge for frequent urination from the removal, if it persists, call him.  (it is now 4 1/2 hours later - no problems)

We then chatted, I got dressed, walked out, said good bye, and went to meet my friend Kerry at a Mexican restaurant down the street for an early dinner.

[Chris]

Yes, way different for men in my experience.

Glad my doc didn't chat while I had my pants down , to odd for me.

Have to agree, those doctor offices are too cold and no way am I taking everything off so I can freeze.

Hard to believe it has been a month, time has flew by fast.

[Meinuk]

Yeah, a month - time flies.  My wound is healed and I am ready to get out there.  (I feel like a racehorse stuck in a starting gate)

I had such a difficult time writing about the removal - just because I have a tendency to make everything dirty.  (It didn't help that the urologist is Dr. Weiner)  Yes, you got it, Dr. Weiner.  hee hee (I really am a 12 year old at heart)

Yeah, I should be more modest, but so many Drs, Nurses and Techs (ultrasound, CT and nuclear medicine) have seen me naked at this point in the transplant, what is another Dr added to the list.

[charee]

Thanks for that I get mine out on 18th December i will let you know how i go.

[paris]

You have written such excellent reports.  It really helps to know step by step what to expect.  What a year you have had!   I am so glad the transplant is doing so well.  Vegas next year, right??   

[kellyt]

Thank you!  I'm scheduled to have my stent removed on Dec. 22nd and I was nervous not knowing WTH they were going to do!  I have already been given my antibiotics.  I take the first one 1 hr before going in and the 2nd 24-hrs after the removal.  That's all I know.

I'm going to PM you, however.  I have a 2nd question...

[pelagia]

I am always interested in this stent stuff.  Stephen's was removed before he left the hospital after his transplant - which was a week after it was put in.  But, I notice that others have had their stent in for much longer.  Seems like a big difference to me.

[petey]

After Marvin's transplant (got it in 2000, lost it in 2003), we both went back for a one-month check-up.  They put me in one exam room (donor), and Marvin in another.  After about 30 minutes, we finally got back together.  I told Marvin, "You're not going to believe what they did to me!  The doc said he had to get a 'pure' urine sample.  That means I couldn't put it into a cup; they had to go in the bladder and get it.  Yuck!  It was awful." 

To which, Marvin said, "That's nothing.  They removed my stent."

So I said, "Where did they cut you to get it out?"  And Marvin said, "They didn't cut me.  They went in through the only opening I have down there in the front and got it!"     


......... I had to let that piece of information sink in.  "You mean they went in through your......?" I asked.  "Yep," he said, "that's exactly where they went."

"Okay," I said.  "You win.  Yours was worse!"

[okarol]

I had such a difficult time writing about the removal - just because I have a tendency to make everything dirty.  (It didn't help that the urologist is Dr. Weiner)  Yes, you got it, Dr. Weiner.  hee hee (I really am a 12 year old at heart)

Tee heee heee I am 12 too. Weiner. No way. Heeheehee 

[Chris]

My Aunt had at one time married a man with that last name. Just glad I wasn't one of her kids at the time 

[monrein]

I never had a stent at all for my first transplant.  Wonder what will happen this time?  I'll ask before I go in.

Terrific account Anna. Thanks so much.

[RichardMEL]

I just want to say my legs have crossed protectively over my Dr Weiner in reading about this... this sort of thing has been a bit of a fear for me because I can't imagine how painful and gross that would be.... even if they were going to use a local or something.... ugh!! Still, I imagine in relation to the whole transplant process in the passing of time it would be quite minor, but omg I am NOT looking forward to that part of proceedings!!!!

[Zach]

I just want to say my legs have crossed protectively over my Dr Weiner in reading about this... this sort of thing has been a bit of a fear for me because I can't imagine how painful and gross that would be.... even if they were going to use a local or something.... ugh!! Still, I imagine in relation to the whole transplant process in the passing of time it would be quite minor, but omg I am NOT looking forward to that part of proceedings!!!!

Ouch!

[chris73]

well it was like this when my stent was removed (which i was scared to death) i was sent to urology met a nurse and discussed what was gonna happen...went to procedure room ,got nakkie waist down got on cold table  and then proceded to clean me and put betadine on my privates, then brought over a syringe ( i went yikes) took off the needle and inserted the end in my penis and it was a type of numbing medicine  that numbed me a little bit waited a few min the put the camera in that was big around as a pencil about 2 feet long. it took about 2mins after the numbing had taking place. it wasnt a bad as i thought it would been..i dont want to have it done everyday...not a bad experience for myself..

[kellyt]

<<<<faint>>>>>>

[MIbarra]

Oh boy! You poor men!

It wasn't a bad experience for me except for my neph said to make sure they removed the stent after 4 weeks or so. Well, the urologist didn't seem to care because he kept cancelling my appointments. It took MUCH longer than 4 weeks and my neph said that is probably why I have recurring UTI's right now. So those of you with new transplants or are soon to have one, make SURE your urologist does not wait!

[Run8]

Hey chris73, the put the needle where??   OMG, OMG, OMG..

[pelagia]

I just want to say my legs have crossed protectively over my Dr Weiner in reading about this... this sort of thing has been a bit of a fear for me because I can't imagine how painful and gross that would be.... even if they were going to use a local or something.... ugh!! Still, I imagine in relation to the whole transplant process in the passing of time it would be quite minor, but omg I am NOT looking forward to that part of proceedings!!!!

Ouch!

They took Stephen's stent out while he was still in the hospital and I seem to remember that they took him back to one of the ORs.  He wasn't traumatized at all, so either he was knocked out or very numb and couldn't see what was happening.  He was much more traumatized by the serious shades of black and blue he had over his privates from the transplant surgery.  It's a blood flow thing apparently.

[kellyt]

I'm scheduled to get mine out on the 22nd, but just yesterday I started getting the little "urges" to urinate and then when I go there is just a little.  I called and told them I might be getting a UTI, but she thinks it might just be a problem with the stent.  I'm supposed to call Monday if the "urges" continue.  I urinated a good amount in the evening and overnight with no pain or discomfort, so I don't think it's a UTI.  I'm hoping it's the stent so they will take it out early!

[chris73]

Hey Chris73, the put the needle where??   OMG, OMG, OMG..

      LOL it was the syringe without the needle.... that hurt more than anything pushing  that medicine in the end of my penis....wasnt put in slow either was "slammed" in there

[RichardMEL]

I am crossing my legs again!! Dr Weiner doesn't like the sound of this at all!!! LOL

Well, been through so much already... I will just ask them to up the happy drugs because I'm a big wimp.... fingers crossed!

(I know, I need the transplant first.... fingers crossed!)

[willieandwinnie]

Len was also taken to the OR to have his stent and center line removed. Gave him a little joy juice and he was good to go. 

[RichardMEL]

Joy Juice! Joy Juice! Joy Juice!!!! I vote for that....

[kitkatz]

They always tell me they are going to drug me up for some procedure, then some doc makes a decision, no because you are a kidney patient we cannot give you anything. WTF?

[Chris]

Tough call on which is worse, having a stent removed or having a catheter put in while in the ER, both without much meds. Lidocain lube did not do a thing for me.