With the evolution of surgeries like Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS), the paramount worry for patients is postoperative physical activity, specifically the timeline to d walking. This concern is justified, as getting back to normalcy is a priority for those undergoing surgery. If you are anticipating or have recently undergone RIRS, questions surrounding your mobility and recovery will likely come to mind.
We will cover RIRS surgery in detail along with how walking and daily activities factors into the recovery process. Additionally, the importance of comprehensive care during recovery and the role a urologist has in this process will be addressed.
What Is RIRS Surgery?
Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is a type of minimally invasive surgery aimed at removing stiff kidney stones, RIRS uses a flexible fiber-optic camera called ureteroscope to scan the urinary tract to visualize and remove or disintegrate the stones. The surgery is less traumatizing to the tissues when compared to the older methods such as percutaneous nephrolithomy, albeit done through the urethra the less invasive nature of the procedure leads to it being termed as such.
The Increased Adoption of RIRS is Primarily Due to its Scar-less Nature, Reduced Duration for Recovery and More. Additionally, RIRS Has Proven Mostly Beneficial to Patients With Kidney Stones Who Have Supine With Intrarenal Access.
A Look Into The Recovery Plan After RIRS Surgery
The recovery period is always a personalized experience, one which highly depends on the scope of the operation performed, overall health status and compliance to post surgery protocols. One of the noteworthy points of RIRS as compared to standard surgeries for stone, is the duration for recovery being significantly lesser.
After any form of surgery, the body needs to rest and recover while gradually increasing their range of motion for activity. Here’s a summary of what to expect during the recovery period:
- General Stays : As far as the recovery goes, the overwhelming majority of patients are able to go home on the same day of the procedure and a small portion will be required to stay overnight for further observation. From a few hours to a day is the range estimated for these patients depending on the complexity of the surgery coupled with the client’s overall health.
- Combating Pain: Irrespective of whether someone suffers with abdominal issues or back pain, while surgery is being performed, they can expect some level of tenderness or pain. Pain medication is commonly prescribed by the doctors which manages the discomfort well.
- Stent Insertion: In the case of a temporary urethral obstruction, a stent may be placed to facilitate the healing of the ureter during the procedure, but it may take some time to be removed. While the stent is in place (usually for a few days to weeks), it can be uncomfortable and give rise to the sensation of having to urinate frequently. After a few days, once the stent is removed, the discomfort caused by the stent will no longer be felt.
- Swelling and Bruising: While there may be minor swelling and bruising, this is short-lived, and will usually resolve within a few days.
Walking After RIRS Surgery: What to Expect
Now, the amazing question on all of your minds may in fact be: Do I have the ability to walk after RIRS surgery? The answer is yes, but with RIRS walking is actually encouraged and forms a vital aspect of the recovery process. One must take care to follow the instructions provided by the doctor to achieve the best possible results.
Day 1-2 After Surgery:
Resting Position Post Surgery: In the first stage, it is advisable to rest. Following the removal of the anesthetic, patients are actually encouraged to get up and move around their room or the hospital, within limited distances.
Week 1 Following Surgery:
Walking: Short walks are encouraged in the timeframe of the first week post surgery, where you may moderately lengthen the distance and duration of walking. However, heavy lifting and intense physical activity should still be avoided. Gentle walks are essential as they help enhance circulation, prevent blood clots, and promote quicker healing and overall recovery.
Pain Levels: Discomfort will most likely persist for a few days with a stent in place, and is best managed with walking, which improves healing and aids with moving the body.
Weeks 2-4 Following Surgery:
Mobility: It is expected that by the second week post surgery, patients will feel more at ease as they can comfortably walk for longer periods of time. However, running or any form of high-intensity exercise should be avoided during this positon.
Stent Management: If a stent is still in place, be on the lookout for any irritation that occurs from it, as it may affect walking ability. Most patients feel comfortable walking and moving around after the stent is removed (which is typically done within 1-3 weeks).
Stepping Back into Routine: During the first month’s mark, almost all individuals have the ability to move freely and take part in daily routines such as walking for long durations or engaging in mild exercises. If your general state of well being is positive, your physician may allow for more active forms of exercise such as jogging or superficial weight training, albeit under strict supervision.
Advanced Recovery Phases: In as much as you are given the green light to walk and participate in other activities resume, do bear in mind that work in progress takes time to heal. Hence, be on the lookout for any signs of distress as well as refrain from putting too much pressure on yourself.
How to Safely Walk After RIRS Surgery?
While walking after RIRS is usually encouraged, there are several components to remember when getting back into walking:
- Be Mindful of Fluid Intake: After the surgery has been completed, remember to carefully manage your fluid intake. Ingesting a good amount of fluid aids in flushing out any pesky left kidney stone fragments and assists in healing the body.
- Give Your Body Time to Recover: Do not partake in running, lifting heavy things, or any other high impact activity for one month at the absolute minimum since these could put your restrictions to the test and be detrimental to your progress.
- Abide by your doctor’s directive: Speak with your healthcare professional prior to elevating your level of physical activity. Their recommendation will be based on the type of surgery you had and your general health condition.
Expert Urologist Care: Dr. Deepanshu Gupta
To achieve optimal RIRS surgery results, a skilled and experienced urologist is a necessity. Unlike other practitioners, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is a well-known RIRS surgery expert. His patients always emphasize his keen attention to detail, vast experience, and dedication to not only performing successful operations, but also aiding in patients’ recovery in the most seamless way possible.
Through his years of practice, Dr. Gupta has guided numerous patients toward rapid recoveries after RIRS surgery by closely monitoring his patients after the surgery and during their recovery. He achieves this by alleviating pain, accelerating recovery periods, and personalizing the approach for each patient. His patients usually thank him for the comprehensive and timely briefings, his love for the discipline, and his skill on making an unsettling experience less frightening.
Closing Thoughts
To sum up, with or without external support, postoperative ambulation after RIRS surgery is possible and can even aid recovery. Although you can commence light walking with an aim to steadily increase your activity level, you should be able to resume all normal walking within a few weeks. Just as with any other form of surgery, it is very important to comply with your doctor’s orders for the quickest and most uneventful recovery.
In case you wish to receive competent RIRS surgery, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is a highly reputable figure in the specialty. His patients know that he will take care of them from the moment he undertakes the case, and because of this, he is highly regarded for his ability to bring about a speedy recovery with minimum disruption to daily life. Ensuring optimal recovery with a highly competent urologist is provided by choosing Dr. Gupta for RIRS procedures.
In case RIRS surgery is on your mind, feel free to schedule a consultation and move towards the more desirable speedy recovery.