Kidney Stent Removal! | Let's Talk IBD 

I had an 8mm kidney stone and they had to put a stent in after the surgical removal (while I was on vacation I might add). The stent was so miserable! The bladder spasms were constant. You get it out and it's immediate relief.

Good morning Maggie and Zac! I’m so glad your procedure is over! I hope your more comfortable now 💗 Take a deep breath now and enjoy your day 😃

Amazing I'm so glad that's another problem dealt with. You are unique. Hope you can have a good night's sleep and feel great tomorrow. Love you Maggie and Zak xxxxxx

Hi Maggie! I just wanted to let you know that you saved me SOOO much grief and sorrow! I'm out of Ileostomy (and urine stoma) surgery 7 weeks now, and watched your videos before that. They really really really helped! I wasn't scared afther the surgery to look at the stoma (called Kevin...) and was changing my own bags by day 3. Unfortunally the first 3 weeks were horrible.. the pain was too much to handle, and I got many complications, 3 of them life threathening, but now I'm ok! So, thank you thank you thank you.. you prepared me for the beginning of my new life :) ❣

Glad your feeling better ! Wishing you both nothing but the best ! 👍❤️

Glad the stent removal went well Maggie. Praying that now you will be more comfortable and can take a short rest and then enjoy moving forward with your wedding plans. You and Zak are such a beautiful couple and work so well together ❤️

So happy for you, Maggie. God is good and everything is uphill from now on. Stay safe and healthy.

Hi Maggie and Zak. I am so glad your procedure went well. So sorry you had the pain in the beginning of it. You're amazing and Zak is wonderful!

So happy that it’s over. Love you guys 💕💕

I’m fascinated by how different doctors and hospitals approach the same procedures so differently. I had a very large kidney stone removed via cystoscopy when I was 18 and the doctor left a stent in my ureter as well. The big difference is that there was a string attached to mine that came all the way out my urethra and was taped to my thigh. I was sent home and told to just pull it out after 4 days. Felt weird, but came out with no problem. No need for a return visit for removal unless I was just too scared to do it myself.

Zak is a gem. From the stories Maggie tells, he's been a trouper since the beginning. 👍 Narrow AND curved! Lovely. Don't be surprised if you're kind of sore or burny for a couple of days.

CONGRATULATIONS! I told you it would be a great day! Good luck as always!

You are the bravest girl in the world. You and Zack deserve so much happiness. 👏👏

Thank you for your videos. I am also an RN with Chronic Illness. I don’t have Crohns, but have been through it in terms of medical ventures. I had to go to Mayo Clinic during Nursing School to address my uncontrolled high blood pressure and migraines. It took 4 years for them to figure out my diagnosis and treatment for blood pressure and it turns out, it’s rare. Now I’ve had flank pain for 10 years and despite all the imaging and workups, nothing came up. My PCP and I decided to just wait as things eventually reveal themselves. I started peeing clots intermittently about 18 months ago and my flank pain went from unilateral to bilateral about 8 months ago. So I was referred to Urology and got the absolute best, most compassionate doctor ever. She was very determined to figure things out for me and the first time meeting, apologized that I was going through a mystery again. There was suspicion that I may be having kidney stones as I have had them found incidentally on other imaging. She did a 24 hour urine work up for kidney stone risk factors, CT, MRI, Cystoscopy. All that showed up was super low urine citrate which she said could cause kidney stones and on the CT the 3D reconstruction showed only partial uptake of contrast in my right ureter. She decided she wanted to do a ureteroscopy on both sides to go and look inside and do biopsies. This is like a cystoscopy but under General Anesthesia and they go all the way up your ureters to your kidneys. I got that done last Friday and she found both ureters looked like inflamed, bleeding sandpaper. She tried to cauterize the bleeding spots but said they were everywhere. She also saw a stone and it seems I have them often, but they aren’t obstructing thankfully. This was somewhat of an answer or at least is pointing in the right direction. Lucky me got to have stents in both sides for a week, and that was not fun, as you know! Now I’m headed back to Mayo as I am facing this being another rare diagnosis. Anyway, thank-you for being open and relatable. I wish you the very best! ❤

So glad you’re past this and feeling better. One less thing to deal with and worry about. On to more wedding plans! BTW, Zack is a wonderful person. So happy for the both of you. Blessings.

He is sooo sweet and caring! Great catch!

I really enjoy your videos! It was actually watching your video and hearing your experiences that made me look into IBD. I had been seeing a specialist for my kidneys for awhile but I had a ton of stomach issues as well that I never really brought up because I didn’t think they were relevant. Since seeing your videos I brought it up to my doctor and recently underwent the same surgery and I get my stent out tomorrow! Thank you for making videos and making it so I don’t feel so alone in this.

So happy for you. You already sound like you are feeling better.

Oh and your “Electric Blue” nails look fabulous girl! So beautiful

I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better Maggie! Glad your stent removal & cystoscopy went well too! I had my first ever cystoscopy in November 2019 in the O.R. under anesthesia. I opted to be put to sleep for the procedure because I am not brave enough to have it done while I'm awake! But I salute you for doing it! You're braver than I am! Waking up in the recovery room was the hardest part! I have pre-OP on Friday,August 28th, 2020 (my 36th birthday!) for another cystoscopy that will also be done in the O.R. under anesthesia and is scheduled for September 3rd, 2020. Both cystoscopies are done by and for my urologist. She will also be taking some bladder biopsies again this time as well. We are still trying to figure out why I have blood in my urine. Thanks to my monthly Stelara shot,my crohns has been under control for a year and a half now! A recent CAT scan showed that my liver and spleen are both enlarged and I have a 1.1 cm nodule on my left lung in the lower lobe area. So that's alarming. But,good news is that I have finished my physical therapy! I went twice a week for 2 months and I have been working out at home the whole time too! I have bad scoliosis and spondylitis and I have arthritis in my back and hips and also the cartilage in between my vertebrae is disintegrating. In the last year,I lost the ability to stand up straight. But now that I had physical therapy, I can finally stand up straight! I'm still a work in progress, but I'm getting there! Hopefully standing up straight will become a completely natural thing and I won't have to remind myself to do it. Anyways Maggie, I don't know why I just rambled on like that lol. I think I'm just feeling lonely. On July 10th,I had to say goodbye to my sweet Lily kitty who lived inside and I've had for 13 years since she was a kitten.Then,August 20th, I had to say goodbye to my outside kitty Fuzz, who I had for 7 years. It's just been hard. I miss them both so much. It was so unexpected. They were my babies.I can't and don't have children so they were that type of love for me ya know. Anyways, I hope you and Zak are doing well today. I look forward to seeing your next video! Take care, love ya! 😽💜

Your skin looks phenomenal! Had a procedure done yesterday ~ more surgery required ... the left ureter is swollen and irritated, the right one is blocked ... unable to scope it, but got the stents exchanged 🥴. I love seeing the progress on the barn ... it looks hugh! Be well, be happy, be blessed!

You and Zak are adorable 😍 every once in a while I can get my fiancé to do a mask with me too. So fun! Relieved that the kidney pain is mostly resolved post stent removal. Woohoo!! 🎉

I've had 6 stents 2 were a double j and some were in for over a year so I have loved having them taken out xx

So glad you got that taken care of! Now you can take a deep breath, relax for a day, and continue on with wedding planning💞 I just found out I have an adrenal adenoma after looking at the report from my triple MRI(brain, cervical and thoracic spine)... AND it's been there for at least a year!

So glad that went well you looked so good after now I know you’ve a lot to do but try and take it gently for at least a couple of days xx

Glad you have the stent out now! I had the camera up there once, and for me it didn’t hurt other than the slight irritation from the movement of the camera thing during the scan, so had a bit of stinging afterwards for a day or so, along with a little bit of bleeding which I was told was totally normal after having such a scan. I had it done because of bladder issues I’m having that are most likely due to my connective tissue disorder, thankfully though they couldn’t see any abnormalities during the scan, but I do use intermittent catheters now as needed, on days where things just aren’t working normally. I have days where I only pee twice in a 24h period, despite drinking fluids, so on days like that for example, I will cath just because it’s so bad for the bladder to not empty regularly. I might also opt to cath if I feel I need to go but I can not pee once I’m on the toilet and it’s too painful in my hips, back and pelvic area to sit on the toilet for more than a couple of minutes

Well done Maggie. That stent looked longer than I was expecting. Ouch.

I'm so proud of you! Cystoscopies hurt like a son of a gun, and you were so brave and strong. Well done, girl!

Thank you for posting this. I had lithotripsy for a 7mm kidney stone. They inserted a stent and tomorrow it will be removed. I have been very anxious about this procedure but your video and candidness put me at ease. Thank you for your post. I am glad you are felt better immediately.

You two are a dynamic duo! 💙💙

Ah adhesions! The joy of surgery. Glad you got through it so well. Now all you have to do is heal up before the ," big day" (hugs) from Tasmania xx

You are awesome Maggie! I find your videos super supportive. I don’t have crohns, but I have gastroparesis, short gut, and EoE. I have been dependent on a j tube and central line for a long time now, along with requiring pain medication. My intestinal transit time is so fast that my GI doesn’t oppose the narcotic pain meds because even with the meds my transit is barely over ten minutes; it is seven with no meds in my system. We can’t use meds to slow my intestines because it makes my gastroparesis worse, and the same goes for GP meds. They removed all but five percent of my stomach in 2009, which made things way worse. I just found out I need another big surgery, and I am not tolerating feeds at all because of the dreaded dumping syndrome. Being a single mom to a special needs kiddo it is so hard to manage all of my medical stuff. I’m 34 and have managed to avoid transplant so far. I do my best to just keep living my life. I’m glad you’re doing better!

So glad you're feeling better

I told you in the last video it was easy to remove. Mine was easy too. Having it in there was always uncomfortable, but removing it was nothing. Hope all gets better and better for you two. Take care.

Thank you Maggie for making and sharing this video. On Monday I'll be going in to have the stent removed and was a bit nervous about it. I too will be going to a different location, with very little parking (as realized via Google maps). I'm going to try to go to work afterward, for a couple of hours. After my surgery I've had a lot of pain urinating, getting kidney seizures, and have not been at work for over a week. With me though I have a "string", so no cystoscopy for me. Phew! Anyway, thanks again for this video, I feel so much better.

I started having cystoscopes when I was a toddler. I inherited a narrow urethra and I was having trouble emptying my bladder. I’ve had trouble since, and now I’m waiting for the FDA to release an MRI proof bladder stimulator. Yay me. I’m like you. I don’t have Crohn’s disease (my Dad did and my Uncle does) I have Lupus and it always seems like “oh, this isn’t working now? It figures”. I have so many specialists. I’m amazed you were able to work as an RN for as long as you did! I had to go on disability last year.

You’ve looked SO PRETTY in these past few videos and you always look pretty but you look extra beautiful 😻😻🌺🌺🌺💜💜💜

Maggie you are inspirational and so beautiful!

Omg my stents were so uncomfortable. I tried to find videos about it and no one really talked about it but I'm glad you did

Pleased everything went ok for you Maggie you 2 did make me laugh when Zak put the green tee mask on you 2 take care and stay safe lol

You both look great! Yes Zac use moisture cream every day, when you get older you be glad of it. Maggie you hang in there!!

I’m curved also! Found out after several catheter meds. Going for a scope second week of sept, so nervous! Glad tour feeling better!!!

Hi Maggie and Zak, so good to hear your stent removal went well. Had the same thing done after needing a Boari Flap during my 3rd surgery to repair my lacerated ureter. I to had total relief once stent was removed, and pray you continue to be free of any complications too. Take care of yourself, and have a blessed day!

You are going to be a beautiful bride! Zak will be a handsome groom! You're both adorbs! Glad you feel better with that stent out.

That is a HUGE art museum.

hope you are doing better with the stent out. I had a block so they fix it and put stent in for 3 weeks than had to go back in surgery to have it removed

Thanks for making this I have been looking for this....

I feel for you,I had a Cystoscopy and they found a tumor in my bladder...Keep strong

Well done maggie. Thank you for explaing that. As once i thought i was getting a stent But it did not happen xx❤️😊

I have spina bifida. With two urinary ostomies, an ileal conduit, and nephrostomy, (maybe another of those soon). I had a kidney stent surgery every 5-6 months, for about four years. Hated them. Then one day they couldn’t get it out, so that required another surgery next day. Haven’t had another since.

I go in end of sept and scared did it hurt going in the uritiera and did he put water to fill the bladder too

Dang Maggie, I’m glad the Surgeon is waiting 6 more months to see if my kidney is same, worse, or better. But WOW, that thing is huge! I’m just sorry you go through all this...I swear your my sister from another..lol I say a little prayer for you most nights now. I pray your scar tissue causes you no problems in the future. I hope the Surgeon was able to snip away at some of it!! Anywho, welcome home and peace always xo

Zack you should daily moisturize your face. You are young now so your skin may say ahh I can give you a break but when you get older, it will appreciate what you did before..💞 Maggie, I do not suffer Crohn's and follow just to learn. I love how open you are and descriptive bc honestly that is so important esp for us women. We want to know details of what will happen. I am a breast cancer survivor and went through treatment in 2016. I wish someone had given me more details about the surgeries I had to go through. So kudos to you for that 💞

I looooove that blue nail polish!!!

I was wondering what you did for your skin it’s lovely

Your a champ. Way to go Mags.

Hi Maggie❤ you guys are so entertaining

Thank you for sharing Maggie. I had to have stents for kidney stone procedures and find it helpful to learn of your experiences. I have since had a heart attack and have had to have 3 stents installed in an artery which solved the problem and I am fine now in all previously clogged areas. There is some commonality in that these are all essentially plumbing problems. Regarding the subject of cosmetics, I shouldn’t judge but think that Zak may look handsomer clean shaven?

Congrats, you look you feel better. And your nails are beautiful.

I have had my stent removed today. No pain just some discomfort. I was anxious about it but it was allright. The procedure takes few minutes and it’s all done.

It is 12 days since my stent is removed. I feel little discomfort and heaviness at my back. Is it normal. If so for how many days? Is there any food restrictions after the stent removal ?

I get my stent out this morning and I’m terrified!! Here’s to hoping it’s quick and somewhat painless!

Glad it went well for you🙏

You are very brave.xxGod bless.

Maggie and Zach, you are both Amazing.. such a great couple.❤️❤️❤️

Zak is a doll

I've got to give it to Zak for doing the facial. Most guys wouldn't do that. I'm glad you finally got the stent out.

My robotic pyleoplasty failed in 2016 and I had to get an open pyleoplasty a few months ago. The surgery fixed a vein wrapped around my ureter…

Had the partial mastectomy done today. Very rough. Between needles biopsied, radiation needles around my nippler. Home now recuperating

Have you tried removing all fiber from a diet? I've heard many people fix IBS issues on carnivore diet, maybe it will help with IBD too.

Ok Zak is just the coolest guy ever for doing things like this with you! I think he secretly likes it Maggie what do you think? 😂

My husband had his kidney transplant surgery in Penn Medicine! The place is huge!!!!

Thank you

Hi. Firstly I’d like to say your very brave for getting the stent removed. Secondly your also very brave for going to the 18 floor. Personally I’d rather have a stent removed than go up high, lol.

You two are so cute 💕.

I hate driving into the city. I’m either at Penn or Temple and traffic is brutal.

Just got my kidney stent out last week. Was uncomfortable coming out. Just so glad it's out I had mine in for three weeks. And I had spasm and so uncomfortable it being in. Feel better now that it's out .Longest three weeks

I removed stent.. When will do all household works.. How many days to recover

You are a tough woman.. Got to do what you got to do.

Having had a number of kidney stone surgeries I know what that stent is like. If you can get a doc that leaves a string attached that then hangs outside the body it makes the removal far easier. If there is no string then man or woman have fun in the stirrups as the doc goes searching.

Sick fish tail braid

Mine was exactly that, saved it

I would recommend a flat foundation brush to apply your mud mask hunny. It will go on even and keep your hands clean and waste less product.

I was cringing with the whole cystoscopy. That procedure was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through and they put me under for it. But that procedure gave me chronic pelvic pain that made me bedridden for 2 years. Seven years later I’m now applying for disability. I know some people tolerate it well, but i have bad memories to say the least.

Good luck honey 👍❤️

Hi Maggie..I just saw this video now, sorry I was a little late but I was a Urology nurse for 8 years in a surgery center and I have taken out many stents with our surgeons. If you have any questions at all don’t hesitate to ask. Best wishes for you guys!!

🙌🙌 Amen, it's OUT and now you can treat yourself to something good!!! Remember, the word "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts" -- so, you definitely deserve to have something yummy!! You & Zak both!! Enjoy!!! 🌸🌸have a great day🌸🌸

I get to take my stint out tomorrow and I’m honestly so so scared and nervous to remove it

The relief after it was removed,

Saw new kids game and thought of you guys,it's called Pickup Pete.

please tell us more about the cystoscopy

That must feel so good to get that out. One less thing to deal with. What did you find out about your non-incision from the doctor? I’m curious 😉. Enjoy this beautiful day. 💗

My very best wishes to you....

So glad no pain

I have just got out of hospital to have my 2 kidney stents removed after having a full Ileostomy. He got the right one out OK but the left one he broke in half and couldn't get it out, so I was sent to another Hospital for an other specialist to go into my my kidney from the side to remove the broken stent, which he did. This was the left Kidney but we have just found out that I have Cancer in my right Kidney and the left kidney now as a lot of scar tissue and not in a good condition. I now have to see if he can remove the Tumour in the right kidney, if he as to remove the kidney and the left one is no good then I have a problem. Time will tell. Good luck and best wishes to you all xxxxx

I just had a appointment with my urologist to take the stent out after a PCNL surgery but unfortunately my pelvic was not relaxing due to pain for him to grab the stand and pull it out so he said we have to put you to sleep. if I knew that I have to go through this pain, I would request it no questions ask. just request your doctor to go through anesthesia because this procedure was veryis very painful. I would say eight 8.5/10 during the procedure and 6/10 After where you have to urinate. Good luck.

I did this . No problem at all. Dont worry. It's done in 2 minutes

How did your kidney stent removal surgery went Maggie )

Stents are not fun, I’ve had a few! The removal part isn’t a party either, but dang it’s so good to get rid of the stent!

You are so brave Maggie,being a nurse is worse