I am 10 days post op from a radical laparoscopic nephrectomy. I'd just like to share some of my experience with anyone who wants to know one 63 year old guy is going through. I was having problems with my liver and have yet to be diagnosed. I had a CAT scan and that's when they found a mass on my left kidney. It was located in a spot of my kidney that made it impossible to treat without removing the kidney. I was told it was probably cancerous so it was a no brainer. It was a 3+ hour surgery. I woke up with two small holes, one just about my belly button, and the other one just below my rib cage. A larger incision (about 4 inches) was made about 3 inches below my rib cage. Surgery was done about 11AM and they had me on my feet walking around 3PM. I was still groggy from the anesthetic. I did sleep off and on that night. The next day, after more walking, they removed my catheter and sent me home. I was having pain that felt like gas or constipation, so I stayed away from the pain meds. It took me 3 days to pass gas and another 2 days to pass solids. I'm sure that the CO2 that they used during the surgery is still being absorbed into my system. I'm still having gas pain on my left side, even though my plumbing seems to be working fine. My appetite is starting to return. Good thing because I have lost 10 pounds since retiring home. I found out yesterday the my tumor was benign. That was the best news yet! I'll leave my email address if anyone has questions for me. This journey so far has been easier that I expected.
I am a 58 year old female in good health, not overweight. I had a robotic assist partial nephrectomy (right kidney) 14 days ago. I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days. I was very apprehensive about it, my tumor was 4.3cm. I can say that the recovery for me has not been bad at all. There was pain as expected, mostly abdominal and some from the air they fill you up with. I had 4 incisions and 1 drain tube that was removed when I came home. They had me up and walking the next day and I have been walking 4-5 times a day everyday since I got home. The key to this surgery is DON'T overdue it, You might start to feel pretty good like me but you won't be fully healed on the inside for a few months. My advice is to eat small meals a few times a day and drink plenty of water. My biopsy showed no cancer. Good luck to you all out there.
Hi I'm 13 years old, my sister is getting an open full Nephrectomy on Wednesday March 16, 2016. I'm really scared about her. I want to go but school is kind of getting in the way, should I go. I feel guilty if I don't go,?
She is 20 years old, and has renal failure. She had the first round of renal failure from age 14-16 and got a transplant at sixteen, this summer she was rediagnosed and found out that her transplanted kidney died. I'm the 13 year old
I ha a radical nephrectomy in Dec of last year (2015), due to a "silent obstruction" (large, painless stone) which caused my left kidney to be non-functional. the surgery was more intense than the doctors led me to believe beforehand, but not insurmountable. Initially the incisions (external) were sore and I was extremely tired. It took probably 2weeks to be up and around walking, but not active in the least (at 47, I am a fitness instructor and a runner, so very active.) at about the 4 week mark, I began having much pain where the internal incisions are. After a visit to the ER and my doc to make sure no bleeding was occurring, I began to massage the area with coconut oil nightly to lessen any adhesion of scar tissue, and it helped. By 6weeks out, I was back to work (kg teacher) and teaching fitness classes again. It takes time and patience to heal, but if you follow dr's instructions, never over-do, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it can go smoothly.
Hi, I am 34 and had a upj obrstruction. I just found out last spring and had surgery. I know this might be late, either way i hope your son is doing ok. I just wanted to say that my renal pelvis grew at least 5 times the size of my kidney itself before I got in for surgery. They also said that i most likely had some percantage of a blockage my whole life. Hopefully that helps ease your worries. Go with your gut though. It's so hard when it's our babys. :(
I am a 57 year old female. I just had a robot assisted partial nephrectomy 6/26/17. I went home late in the afternoon the next day. I had 6 small incisions, one of which was a drain for the fluid. I have had very little pain, but more of a bloated discomfort. I took pain meds for about 3 days and now if I need I use Tylenol. I had my one week checkup and Dr said I am doing great. Incisions are healing nicely. I've been up and walking as often as I can. My Dr said even tho I feel great, in still very much in the healing process so I can walk all I want, but no housework, laundry, pushing, pulling, lifting, etc. Basically, anthing that uses your core muscles moves your kidney and can hamper healing. It's important to lay low for the first 4-5 weeks because the healing is in the inside and no one wants to go thru this twice! Drink lots of water and keep your urine clear. It's very difficult to feel better and not be able to get up and do, but listen to your Dr. A partial or full nephrectomy is considered major surgery so take it easy. In some cases, they do have to restrict blood flow to the kidney during surgery. Luckily, that was not the case for me. My results came back as benign, but I have no regrets having the surgery! Good luck to all, and take it easy!!
Hi there, loved your post, im extremely nervous and anxious ahead of having my left kidney removed. One specialist said leave it in the second said take it out. Im always tired and have zero energy but the first specialist said it is unrelated to a non functioning kidney....Question to you is before you had your non working kidney out did you feel out of sorts? tired etc??
you are kidding, right? you have NO kidneys?
I had my left kidney removed by Da Vinci 4 weeks ago. I have healed quickly and had little pain after the first 3 days. My only complication is the trapped air or CO2 where my kidney was. I was told it would eventually resolve itself but it seems like it's taking a long time. Anyone else experience this? I am 76. I had a tumor which turned out to be benign, thank goodness