Ureteral Stent Placement - PreOp® Patient Education

This video will help you to understand what a ureteral stent is, what to expect after it is placed and what you can do to help your recovery.

First let us review some information about your body and why a stent may be needed.  The normal     human body has 2 kidneys that are in the middle of the back under the lowest ribs.  Kidneys filter and clean blood to make urine.  Ureters (say your-it-ters) drain the kidneys to the bladder. 

A ureteral stent is a thin, straw-like tube, that is put in a ureter to help drain urine from the kidney to the bladder.  A curl at each end of the stent holds it in place.

Stents are most commonly used to treat blockages,  especially from kidney stones.  If a kidney does not drain it can become damaged.  Stents are also placed after surgery involving the ureter to allow it to heal.

A stent may be needed for weeks, even months, depending on why it was placed.  Ask your Urologist what the plan is for your stent.

Sometimes a string is attached to the end of the stent to make it easier to remove.  If you can feel a string, leave it alone, do not pull it.  If the stent is accidentally pulled out too soon or pulled out of position, you may need another procedure to put a new stent in.

After a stent is placed you will see red color from blood in your urine, even tiny clumps.

You will have some pain in your side and back called flank pain.  Some patients have more pain than others.  This pain is mostly caused by spasms or cramping of the ureter and bladder .  It can be worse when you try to urinate. 

Most patients also have bladder irritation from the stent.  This can be urinary frequency, needing to urinate often and urinary urgency, or feeling strongly that you “have to go”.

 You will be given a prescription for narcotic pain medicine for the first 1-2 days. These medications are not as helpful with stent pain as we would like them to be and they can cause nausea and constipation. 

You may be prescribed a type of medication called an  anticholinergic  or an alpha-blocker.  These medications work to lessen the cramps and spasms and can be helpful with this type of pain.  - more:

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education - https://preop.com/preop/colonoscopy/

What is a Colonoscopy or Lower Endoscopy?

Your doctor has recommended that you have a Colonoscopy, also called a lower endoscopy. It is a procedure to examine your colon.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - The PreOp® Procedure



Now let’s look closer at the colonoscopy procedure. 

* To start you will be positioned comfortably.

* You will be given medication to help you relax or sleep during the procedure.

* A well lubricated scope is gently placed in your rectum.

Using the light and camera lens of the scope to see, your doctor guides the scope to reach the other end of your colon.

You may feel some pressure or tugging, but you shouldn't feel pain.

The entire inside of the colon is carefully inspected.

Individual colon polyps if found, may be removed for testing.

If a mass or lesion is seen, it may be painlessly biopsied or removed using a tool through the scope.

After the entire colon has been examined the scope is removed and the procedure is complete.

After surgery “speak-up” and tell your care-team if you have more than expected pain or problems.

You may feel awake quickly.

* However the anesthesia medications will affect you for the first day. 

* During the first 24 hours after the procedure do not drive or operate machinery. 

* You will need a ride home.

* Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

* Do not make important decisions and do not drink

After the colonoscopy you may have gas pain from air in your colon. Relaxing on your side in bed or taking a warm shower may help you to pass any gas.

You may see a small amount of blood in your stool for a few days if biopsies were done.

Rarely serious problems can happen such as a tear or injury to the colon. Bleeding or infection may result.

Call your doctor to be seen if you have a fever, worsening abdominal pain or have bleeding from your rectum that doesn’t stop.

Hospital admission, medication or surgery may be needed to fix some complications.

To avoid cancellation or complications from anesthesia or your procedure, your job as the patient is to

* not eat, drink or chew gum after midnight, the night before the procedure unless you are given different instructions

* take only medications you were told to on the morning of the procedure with a sip of water

* follow instructions regarding aspirin and blood thinners before surgery,  as you may be asked to stop or continue taking them depending on your situation,

* and arrive on time.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™



You should be ready to verify or confirm your list of medical problems and surgeries, all of your medications, including vitamins and supplements, your current smoking, alcohol and drug use and all allergies, especially to medications, latex and tape.

Before you have this procedure it is your job to speak up and ask if you still have questions about why it is recommended for you, the risks and alternatives.  Also understand the risk of not having the procedure.

This video is intended as a tool to help you to better understand the procedure that you are scheduled to have or are considering.  It is not intended to replace any discussion, decision making or advice of your physician.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™ & PostCare™



#patienteducation #HealthLiteracy #PatientEngagement

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education - https://preop.com/preop/colonoscopy/

What is a Colonoscopy or Lower Endoscopy?

Your doctor has recommended that you have a Colonoscopy, also called a lower endoscopy. It is a procedure to examine your colon.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - The PreOp® Procedure



Now let’s look closer at the colonoscopy procedure. 

* To start you will be positioned comfortably.

* You will be given medication to help you relax or sleep during the procedure.

* A well lubricated scope is gently placed in your rectum.

Using the light and camera lens of the scope to see, your doctor guides the scope to reach the other end of your colon.

You may feel some pressure or tugging, but you shouldn't feel pain.

The entire inside of the colon is carefully inspected.

Individual colon polyps if found, may be removed for testing.

If a mass or lesion is seen, it may be painlessly biopsied or removed using a tool through the scope.

After the entire colon has been examined the scope is removed and the procedure is complete.

After surgery “speak-up” and tell your care-team if you have more than expected pain or problems.

You may feel awake quickly.

* However the anesthesia medications will affect you for the first day. 

* During the first 24 hours after the procedure do not drive or operate machinery. 

* You will need a ride home.

* Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

* Do not make important decisions and do not drink

After the colonoscopy you may have gas pain from air in your colon. Relaxing on your side in bed or taking a warm shower may help you to pass any gas.

You may see a small amount of blood in your stool for a few days if biopsies were done.

Rarely serious problems can happen such as a tear or injury to the colon. Bleeding or infection may result.

Call your doctor to be seen if you have a fever, worsening abdominal pain or have bleeding from your rectum that doesn’t stop.

Hospital admission, medication or surgery may be needed to fix some complications.

To avoid cancellation or complications from anesthesia or your procedure, your job as the patient is to

* not eat, drink or chew gum after midnight, the night before the procedure unless you are given different instructions

* take only medications you were told to on the morning of the procedure with a sip of water

* follow instructions regarding aspirin and blood thinners before surgery,  as you may be asked to stop or continue taking them depending on your situation,

* and arrive on time.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™



You should be ready to verify or confirm your list of medical problems and surgeries, all of your medications, including vitamins and supplements, your current smoking, alcohol and drug use and all allergies, especially to medications, latex and tape.

Before you have this procedure it is your job to speak up and ask if you still have questions about why it is recommended for you, the risks and alternatives.  Also understand the risk of not having the procedure.

This video is intended as a tool to help you to better understand the procedure that you are scheduled to have or are considering.  It is not intended to replace any discussion, decision making or advice of your physician.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™ & PostCare™



#patienteducation #HealthLiteracy #PatientEngagement

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education

Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - Colonoscopy Procedure - PreOp® Patient Education - https://preop.com/preop/colonoscopy/

What is a Colonoscopy or Lower Endoscopy?

Your doctor has recommended that you have a Colonoscopy, also called a lower endoscopy. It is a procedure to examine your colon.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - The PreOp® Procedure



Now let’s look closer at the colonoscopy procedure. 

* To start you will be positioned comfortably.

* You will be given medication to help you relax or sleep during the procedure.

* A well lubricated scope is gently placed in your rectum.

Using the light and camera lens of the scope to see, your doctor guides the scope to reach the other end of your colon.

You may feel some pressure or tugging, but you shouldn't feel pain.

The entire inside of the colon is carefully inspected.

Individual colon polyps if found, may be removed for testing.

If a mass or lesion is seen, it may be painlessly biopsied or removed using a tool through the scope.

After the entire colon has been examined the scope is removed and the procedure is complete.

After surgery “speak-up” and tell your care-team if you have more than expected pain or problems.

You may feel awake quickly.

* However the anesthesia medications will affect you for the first day. 

* During the first 24 hours after the procedure do not drive or operate machinery. 

* You will need a ride home.

* Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

* Do not make important decisions and do not drink

After the colonoscopy you may have gas pain from air in your colon. Relaxing on your side in bed or taking a warm shower may help you to pass any gas.

You may see a small amount of blood in your stool for a few days if biopsies were done.

Rarely serious problems can happen such as a tear or injury to the colon. Bleeding or infection may result.

Call your doctor to be seen if you have a fever, worsening abdominal pain or have bleeding from your rectum that doesn’t stop.

Hospital admission, medication or surgery may be needed to fix some complications.

To avoid cancellation or complications from anesthesia or your procedure, your job as the patient is to

* not eat, drink or chew gum after midnight, the night before the procedure unless you are given different instructions

* take only medications you were told to on the morning of the procedure with a sip of water

* follow instructions regarding aspirin and blood thinners before surgery,  as you may be asked to stop or continue taking them depending on your situation,

* and arrive on time.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™



You should be ready to verify or confirm your list of medical problems and surgeries, all of your medications, including vitamins and supplements, your current smoking, alcohol and drug use and all allergies, especially to medications, latex and tape.

Before you have this procedure it is your job to speak up and ask if you still have questions about why it is recommended for you, the risks and alternatives.  Also understand the risk of not having the procedure.

This video is intended as a tool to help you to better understand the procedure that you are scheduled to have or are considering.  It is not intended to replace any discussion, decision making or advice of your physician.



Patient Education & Patient Engagement - PostCare™ & PostCare™



#patienteducation #HealthLiteracy #PatientEngagement

Colonoscopy Procedure - Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - PreOp® Patient Education

PreOp® Colonoscopy Procedure - Lower Endoscopy - Lower GI - PreOp® Patient Education & Patient Engagement.



What is a Colonoscopy or Lower Endoscopy?

Your doctor has recommended that you have a Colonoscopy, also called a lower endoscopy. It is a procedure to examine your colon.



This video will help you to understand this procedure. Let’s begin by reviewing information about your body.



The colon is the large intestine where digestion is completed.  Water is absorbed and waste becomes solid stool. The rectum is the lowest part of the colon.



During a colonoscopy procedure the inside of the colon is inspected for problems. The procedure is used for both colon cancer screening and diagnostic testing.



The American Cancer Association recommends that colon cancer screening start at age 50 for early detection and prevention.  Patients at high risk should be screened sooner, especially those with or a family history.

- Patient Education & Patient Engagement



There are many ways to screen patients for colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the most complete way to screen for colon cancer because the entire inside of the colon is examined.  Polyps can be removed and suspicious growths can be biopsied.



A colonoscopy can also be used as a diagnostic procedure to look for a suspected mass or abnormality, and to investigate a symptom or complaint such as belly pain, bloody stool, constipation and diarrhea.



A colonoscopy procedure is done using a long flexible scope, this is an instrument with a light and camera at the tip. 



The scope makes it possible to see and operate on hard to reach areas of the colon without making a cut or incision in the skin.



Tools such as scissors, graspers and cautery can be used through the scope to biopsy, remove abnormal tissue and stop bleeding if needed.



Your doctor is searching for dangling pieces of tissue called polyps, and any other lumps or worrisome changes to the colon...more



Patient Education & Patient Engagement



#ColonoscopyIsEasier #patienteducation #HealthLiteracy #PatientEngagement