Kidney Stone Treatments in Atlanta, GA

Kidney stones (also called renal lithiasis) come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They also have four subsets (calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones). While smaller stones can at times be passed naturally with significant time and effort, larger stones may not pass through the urinary tract.

This often causes tremendous pain and unbearable discomfort. Atlanta Cosmetic Urology, however, works with patients to effectively treat and remove their kidney stones, regardless of their size and location. Board-certified urologist Dr. Tariq Hakky will assess your condition and select the best method to remove your kidney stone. No referral is needed. Schedule a consultation at our Atlanta, GA urology practice to address your stones. We can help you manage this sensitive situation rather than just relying on the problem to resolve itself.

Often, people do not realize that they have a kidney stone until the mass begins to move through the urinary tract. These stones that go unnoticed are called "silent" kidney stones. At this point, if you have not experienced any pain or other signs, your stones are likely still in the kidneys. Once the deposits have made their way outside of the kidneys, you may feel a dull ache to excruciating pain along your back and the side of your body. Along with these symptoms, you may also begin to experience nausea, have problems with urination, and see blood in your expelled urine.

Anyone with kidney stones of any size or shape is a candidate to receive treatment at Atlanta Cosmetic Urology. Even if your stones are small and can be passed naturally, it is only wise to do so under the supervision of an experienced urologist. For those with larger stones and complications that will not allow the stones to dislodge on their own, Dr. Hakky can perform surgical procedures to resolve your discomfort and condition.

The procedure you receive to address your kidney deposits will depend on their size and location. At his Atlanta, GA urology office, Dr. Hakky offers three effective treatments for the removal of your kidney stones: ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and ureteral stents. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Hakky will assess the state of your condition. This is done by having an ultrasound, x-ray, CT scan, blood test, and urine screen performed to determine the existence, size, and location of the deposits. Based on the results of your diagnostic test(s), Dr. Hakky will be able to recommend the correct method for kidney stone elimination.

A ureteroscopy (URS) is a minimally invasive procedure performed to eliminate deposits residing in the kidney and ureter. For this procedure, general anesthesia is used to maintain your comfort. For URS, a special microscope (a rigid or flexible ureteroscope) is inserted into the bladder and brought up through the ureter to the affected kidney. 

The purpose of the ureteroscope is to allow Dr. Hakky to see the masses without having to make an incision just for exploration. Once Dr. Hakky has located your kidney stones, he will use a tiny device to remove the stones. Following your ureteroscopy, Dr. Hakky may put a temporary ureteral stent in place. This stent will allow urine to drain into the ureter from the kidney and is often removed in 1 – 2 weeks.

While a ureteroscope can address smaller stones throughout the urinary tract, a percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) will work to remove the larger kidney stones. During your PCNL, Dr. Hakky will make a small incision in your back or side. The incision will be just large enough for him to pass a telescopic instrument into the center of your kidney. This will allow him to locate any kidney stone deposits. From there, Dr. Hakky will remove the large stones with a suction device. If they are too large, however, they will have to be broken into sections using advanced instruments before they are taken out. Like URS, this procedure involves the use of general anesthesia.

If necessary, Dr. Hakky will place a stent into your ureter to allow your kidney stone treatment to move along. A ureteral stent allows urine to be transported from the kidney to the bladder if there is a blockage (usually caused by a kidney stone). The amount of time you have the stent in place will depend on what treatment is selected for your deposit removal and when the stent is placed.

What you can expect following your kidney stone treatment will depend on the removal procedure that was performed. Following URS, you will be allowed to go home that same day, and you may resume your regular daily routine after a few days. If you had a stent put in place, Dr. Hakky will want to see you back after a week or so to remove it. Leaving stents in for too long can lead to infection or loss of kidney function. After PCNL, however, your recovery time is longer. You may have to stay in the hospital overnight, and a tube will remain in your kidney for up to a few days, allowing urine to drain into a bag outside of your body and stopping you from bleeding. Your downtime will be 1 – 2 weeks. Dr. Hakky will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that you are healing well.

Chances are, you or somebody you know will endure a kidney stone at some point. Notorious for causing extreme discomfort, these mineral and salt-based deposits emerge in the kidneys and journey through the urinary tract. This process does not always run smoothly. These deposits can become stuck in the ureters or bladder. At Atlanta Cosmetic Urology, Dr. Hakky will develop the best treatment for the situation. Contact our Atlanta, GA office to have your kidney stones monitored by our experienced board-certified urologist.