If you are reading this, chances are you or someone you love is in pain.
A kidney stone diagnosis can feel like a life sentence to discomfort, uncertainty, and waiting. Waiting for an appointment. Waiting for a scan. Waiting for a surgery date. And if you’ve already had a preliminary procedure and are currently living with a ureteral stent, you know that every extra day feels like a year.
At Fore River Urology in South Portland, we believe Maine patients deserve better. We have restructured our practice to prioritize immediate access for kidney stone sufferers.
The Painful Reality of the ER and Hospital Wait Times
When the excruciating pain of a kidney stone strikes, most people’s first instinct is to rush to the Emergency Room. While necessary for emergencies, for a non-life-threatening stone, this often means:
- Hours of waiting in a busy ER.
- High costs and co-pays.
- Getting a temporary fix (like a stent) and then being told to “follow up with a urologist”—only to find out the next available appointment is weeks, or even months, away.
This cycle leaves patients adrift and in pain.
The Fore River Urology Promise: Speed to Relief
We are a local, independent urology practice. This means we control our schedule, and we prioritize urgent kidney stone care. We don’t believe you should have to live in agony while navigating a massive hospital bureaucracy.
We offer a different path:
1. Seen Within a Week (Typically)
Whether you are calling in new pain or you are a “stent patient” desperate for the next step, our goal is simple: We want to see you within typically one week. We hold appointments specifically for urgent cases, bypassing the standard, long waitlists.
2. Surgery Within Two Weeks (Typically)
Consultation is just the first step. For patients who need intervention (like our advanced suction-assisted ureteroscopy—the “Kidney Stone Vacuum”), we aim to schedule and perform surgery typically within two weeks of your initial visit. This rapid turnaround is almost unheard of in larger hospital systems.
Why Speed Matters (Beyond the Pain)
Getting your stone solved quickly isn’t just about comfort (though that’s #1). Faster treatment reduces the risk of:
- Worsening Infection: Stones can block urine flow, increasing risk for kidney infections.
- Kidney Damage: Long-term blockage can cause permanent damage to your kidney.
- ER Bounce-Backs: Rapid intervention prevents you from having to return to the ER for uncontrolled pain.
Don’t Wait for Relief. Call Us Today.
If you are in kidney stone pain, or if you have a stent and are stuck on a waitlist, do not wait. You have a local, accessible alternative right here in South Portland.
Ready for relief?
📞 Call Fore River Urology: 207-518-6600 📍 Visit Us: 21 Donald B. Dean Dr., South Portland, ME 04106 🌐 Book Online: Request an Appointment
