Ureteroscopy: The Questions Patients Actually Ask — Answered by Physicians
Ureteroscopy generates some of the most repetitive phone calls in any urology practice: stent discomfort, blood in urine, and when the stent comes out. PrepQ, a patient-education platform built by physicians and operated by PrepQ LLC, maintains 24 physician-written answers about ureteroscopy as part of a library of more than 7,500 answers covering 700-plus procedures across 14 specialties. Practices that subscribe to PrepQ give their patients a dedicated phone number to text or call at any hour, and the platform replies instantly with content the practice's own clinicians have reviewed and approved in advance. Questions outside the approved library are referred back to the office, and any message that suggests urgent symptoms is directed to 911 or the practice instead of being answered by software. The result: patients arrive prepared, day-of cancellations drop, and staff stop repeating the same ureteroscopy instructions dozens of times a week.
Real ureteroscopy questions from our physician-reviewed library
A sample of the 24 ureteroscopy answers in PrepQ's library. Before any practice goes live, its own clinicians review and approve every answer — and can customize each one to their protocols.
After a cystoscopy, ureteroscopy and JJ stent, I need to pee constantly but only pass a few mls — is that the stent?
Yes, needing to urinate constantly but only passing a small amount is a classic stent symptom, caused by the stent irritating the bladder and creating a frequent urge even when the bladder is nearly empty. It is uncomfortable but usually eases once the stent is removed. The medicines your doctor may prescribe can help. Call your urologist if you develop fever, chills, worsening pain, or you truly cannot urinate at all.
Are there any activity restrictions after ureteroscopy with a stent?
After ureteroscopy with a stent, you can usually do light activity but should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise while the stent is in, since these can worsen discomfort and bleeding. Stay hydrated and take prescribed medicines for stent symptoms. Listen to your body and ease off activities that increase pain. Ask your urologist for specific restrictions, and call for severe pain, fever, or heavy bleeding.
Can I have ureteroscopy if I can't safely stop my blood thinners?
Often, yes. Ureteroscopy is generally considered safer than other stone surgeries for people who cannot stop blood thinners, because it tends to cause less bleeding, though the final decision depends on your situation. Tell your urologist about your blood thinner and why it cannot be stopped, and have them coordinate with your prescribing doctor. They can choose the safest stone treatment and plan for your medication.
Do I need to stop eating and drinking after midnight before my surgery?
Most often, yes; for surgery with anesthesia you will usually be told to stop eating and drinking after midnight, or for a set number of hours beforehand, though some clear-liquid rules may differ slightly by facility. Following these instructions is important, since arriving without proper fasting can delay or cancel your surgery. Confirm your exact fasting times with your surgical team and follow their specific instructions.
I had laser treatment and a stent and now have a kidney infection — what advice is there for the unbearable pain?
A kidney infection after laser treatment with a stent is serious and the unbearable pain plus infection should not be managed at home alone. Contact your urologist now, because you likely need prompt antibiotics and stronger pain control. If you have fever, shaking chills, confusion, vomiting you cannot stop, or you cannot urinate, emergency care may be needed, since this can progress to a dangerous infection.
I'm passing a stone and have pain going into my groin or testicles — why?
Pain radiating into the groin or testicles while passing a stone is common and happens because the nerves of the ureter are shared with those areas, so the brain can feel the pain there as the stone moves lower. It does not usually mean a new problem. Staying hydrated and taking prescribed medicine help. Emergency care may be needed if you have fever, chills, cannot urinate, or have pain you cannot control.
I'm trying to pass a stone — when should I go to the Emergency Room?
While trying to pass a stone, emergency care may be needed if you have fever or shaking chills, pain you cannot control even with medication, persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down, little or no urine, or you feel very unwell or confused. Fever with stone pain is especially urgent because it can mean a dangerous infection. If any of these happen, emergency care may be needed.
I'm trying to pass a stone — why do I have to urinate more frequently?
Needing to urinate more often while passing a stone is common, especially as the stone moves lower toward the bladder, where it irritates the bladder and triggers the urge to go even when little urine is present. This usually eases once the stone passes. Staying hydrated helps. Call your urologist or seek care if you also have fever, chills, cannot urinate, or have pain you cannot control.
My doctor placed a stent but didn't take the stone out yet — why?
Placing a stent first without removing the stone is a common, deliberate step. The stent relieves the blockage and pain right away and lets swelling settle, an infection clear, or the ureter gently widen, which can make removing the stone safer and more successful later. Scheduling can also be a factor. Ask your urologist the specific reason for your plan and when the stone removal is scheduled.
They lasered my stone and swapped the old stent for a new one and I'm back to square one with pain — will the second operation have worked?
It is discouraging to feel back at square one after a second operation, but renewed pain often comes from the new stent and the recent procedure, not from failure, and it usually eases once that stent is removed. Whether the stone was fully cleared is something your surgeon can confirm, sometimes with imaging. Ask your urologist how they will check the result and when the stent comes out. Call promptly for fever or unbearable pain.
Your staff answers these 24 questions by phone. PrepQ answers them by text, instantly.
PrepQ gives your urology practice a dedicated number patients text or call 24/7. Physician-written answers, approved by your doctors, delivered in English and Spanish — with urgent messages escalated to your office or 911, never improvised. HIPAA-compliant, BAA provided, no EHR integration required.