Kidney Cancer Surgery: What to Expect
Published on July 29, 2026
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When your oncology team talks about kidney cancer surgery, they often use the medical term "nephrectomy." During this procedure, the surgeon removes part or all of the affected kidney.
Preparing for a nephrectomy starts well before the day of the operation. There are appointments and instructions to follow before the procedure, a hospital stay afterward, and a recovery period once you’re back home. Here’s how to prepare for kidney cancer surgery, what happens that day, and what to expect as you recover.
Types of Nephrectomy
The type of nephrectomy that your surgeon recommends depends on the size and location of the tumor, your kidney function, and your general health, says Eric Singer, MD, a urologic surgeon, the chair of the board of directors for the Kidney Cancer Association, and the chief of the division of urologic oncology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus.
The main types of nephrectomy include:
- Partial Nephrectomy The tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue are removed, leaving the rest of the kidney in place. This procedure is often recommended for smaller tumors because it helps preserve kidney function, Dr. Singer says.
- Radical Nephrectomy The entire kidney and surrounding tissue are removed. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove nearby structures, like the adrenal gland and lymph nodes. This option is generally recommended for larger, more complex tumors or cancers that can’t be safely removed without taking out the entire kidney, Singer says.
Both partial and radical nephrectomies can be performed through traditional open surgery or with minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques, says Kevin Ginsburg, MD, a board-certified urologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.
Open surgery requires a larger incision (cut) along the side of the belly or on the belly, while laparoscopic surgery requires several small incisions. One laparoscopic option is robotic surgery, in which the surgeon uses robotic instruments to do the procedure through small incisions.
When appropriate, minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery generally result in less pain and a faster recovery. Open surgery may be the better choice for some larger or more complex tumors.
Most people who have robotic surgery spend about a day in the hospital, while those who have open surgery often stay closer to three days, Dr. Ginsburg says.
The goal is to choose the procedure that offers the best cancer control while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible, and when it can be done safely, surgeons generally prefer a minimally invasive technique, Ginsburg says.
Preparing for Your Kidney Surgery
The weeks leading up to your nephrectomy are about making sure that you’re healthy enough for the procedure, understanding what to expect on the day of surgery, and preparing for recovery. Your care team will give you specific instructions, so it’s important to follow them closely.
Weeks Before Surgery
Before surgery you’ll generally have one or more preoperative appointments to make sure that you’re ready for the procedure. Your healthcare team will review your medical history and may order tests such as blood work, an electrocardiogram, or other heart or lung tests if needed, says Cory Hugen, MD, a urologist and associate clinical professor in the division of urology and urologic oncology and the department of surgery at City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, California.
You may also meet with specialists who will help manage other conditions you may have, such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, or kidney disease, says Singer.
This is also the time to review all of your medications, including over-the-counter drugs and any supplements you may take, with your care team. To help lower your risk of complications, your surgeon will likely ask you to stop or adjust certain medications before surgery, Dr. Hugen says. These include blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) and clopidogrel (Plavix); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve); some diabetes medications; and certain supplements, such as high doses of fish oil and vitamin E.
They’ll also tell you which medications you should take the night before or the morning of surgery and which ones you should skip, but don’t stop taking any prescription medications unless your healthcare team tells you to.
Tell your surgery team about any allergies you may have, including to medications, latex, foods, and skin cleansers like iodine, so they can choose safe products for your procedure.
If you smoke, your care team will likely recommend quitting a few weeks before and after surgery, since smoking can slow wound healing and increase the risk of complications. Quitting smoking for good is also something to consider, since research suggests that it’s linked to a lower risk of the cancer progressing and to longer survival.
Singer recommends bringing a list of your medications to your preoperative appointments and having a trusted family member or friend come with you to help listen, ask questions, and remember important information. Before you leave your preoperative appointments, make sure that you understand your surgery plan, medication instructions, and recovery expectations.
The Night Before Surgery
Your surgical team will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure to help reduce the risk of complications during anesthesia. “Generally, patients can’t eat or drink after midnight,” Ginsburg says.
Review your medication instructions for the night before and the morning of surgery. “For example, people with diabetes may be asked to adjust or skip certain pills but continue insulin injections,” Singer says. These instructions vary from person to person, so follow the directions your care team gives you.
If your surgeon recommends it, shower with the special antibacterial soap exactly as directed the night before or the morning of surgery to help lower your risk of infection, says Hugen.
Pack light for your hospital stay: toiletries, comfortable clothes, your phone and charger, and your identification and insurance card. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
Finally, double-check what time you need to arrive at the hospital and plan to be there on time.
The Day of Surgery
When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll check in and change into a hospital gown. Before surgery, your care team will check your vital signs, review your medications, start an intravenous (IV) line, and have you meet with the nursing and anesthesia team, Singer says. As a final safety check, your surgeon will also confirm your consent and identify the correct site for surgery with a marking pen before you head to the operating room.
A nephrectomy takes, on average, two to four hours to complete, though your surgeon can give you a better estimate based on your specific procedure.
After surgery, you’ll wake up in the postanesthesia care unit, where nurses will closely monitor your breathing, blood pressure, pain, and recovery from anesthesia, Hugen says.
As you become more alert, you’ll notice a few things that are completely expected after kidney surgery, such as:
- An IV line to give you fluids, medications, and pain medicine
- A urinary catheter to drain urine while your body recovers from surgery
- A pain management pump and other pain-control devices that deliver medication to help keep you comfortable
- A small drain coming from your abdomen to remove excess fluid from the surgical area, depending on the type of nephrectomy
Once you’re awake and your care team determines that you’re stable, you’ll generally be moved to a hospital room, though it’s common to feel sleepy, sore, and mildly nauseated at first, Hugen says. Your surgery team will monitor you closely and can give you medications to help manage these symptoms.
Recovery in the Hospital
The first one to three days after kidney cancer surgery are focused on managing your pain, getting you moving again, and gradually returning to eating and drinking.
Getting Up and Moving
Your healthcare team will encourage you to sit up, stand, and start walking as soon as it’s safe, often the same day as surgery or the following morning, Singer says. While getting out of bed may sound like the last thing you want to do, it helps lower the risk of complications such as blood clots in the legs, which can travel to your lungs, block the blood flow, and become a life-threatening emergency. It also helps speed up recovery.
Your nurses may also ask you to take deep breaths, cough, or breathe in and out of a small handheld device several times a day. These breathing exercises help keep your lungs clear and lower your risk of pneumonia after surgery.
Eating and Drinking
You’ll usually be allowed to drink liquids soon after surgery and begin eating regular foods the next day, Ginsburg says. Most people have their urinary catheter removed the morning after surgery. If you have a surgical drain, it’s usually removed the next day, he says.
Managing Pain
It’s normal to have some pain after surgery, but your care team will work with you to keep it under control. Many hospitals use a combination of pain-relieving medications to help keep you comfortable while limiting the need for opioid pain medicines, Singer says. Some people recover well with nonopioid medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen, while others may need a short course of an opioid such as oxycodone after going home, says Ginsburg.
How long you’ll stay in the hospital depends on the type of surgery and how you’re recovering.
Recovery at Home
Before you’re discharged from the hospital, your care team will give you written instructions about caring for yourself at home. Those instructions are specific to your surgery and any other health conditions you may have, so follow them carefully, Singer says. If possible, arrange for someone to help take care of you for a few days after the nephrectomy.
Incision Care
Some bruising, swelling, and soreness around your incision is normal and should gradually improve. Keep your incision clean and dry, and follow your surgeon’s instructions about when it’s safe to shower, Hugen says. Always wash your hands well before caring for your incision.
Check your incision every day for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, drainage, and worsening pain. If you notice any of these changes, contact your healthcare team right away.
Activity Restrictions
Walking is one of the best things you can do during recovery. Regular walks help improve circulation, lower the risk of blood clots, and support healing. “Most patients can walk around the house, climb stairs, and eat and drink normally once they get home,” Singer says. Still, try to increase your activity a little at a time, rather than trying to do too much too soon, Hugen says.
Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds, such as a gallon of paint or a large bag of pet food, for about four weeks, unless your healthcare team tells you otherwise. Also, avoid strenuous exercise, heavy housework, and activities that strain your abdominal muscles for about six weeks or until your healthcare team says it’s safe.
How soon you can drive, return to work, and resume your usual activities depends on the type of surgery you had and how you’re healing, so check with your care team if you’re unsure, Singer says.
Recovery Tips
It’s normal to feel tired for several weeks after a nephrectomy, and you should gradually start feeling better. Take your medications as directed, drink plenty of fluids, and give your body time to heal, Hugen says.
Sleep is an important part of recovery, even if it’s harder to come by during the first few days or weeks after surgery. As pain lessens and you become more active during the day, your sleep should gradually improve, too.
Constipation can occur because anesthesia, pain medications, and being less active can slow your bowels. Walking and drinking enough fluids can help get things moving again, and your care team can recommend a stool softener or mild laxative if needed.
Keep all follow-up appointments, and don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns during your recovery. They can also connect you with resources or support groups if you need them, Singer says.
When to Call the Doctor
While some discomfort is expected after surgery, some symptoms need prompt attention. Contact your healthcare team right away or go to the emergency room if you notice:
- A fever higher than 101 degrees F
- Pain that worsens or isn’t relieved by your prescribed medication
- Increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or severe pain around your incision
- Persistent nausea or vomiting that makes it difficult to eat or drink
- Changes in how you urinate
- Bright red blood in your urine
- New swelling, redness, or pain in one leg
- New or worsening weakness, extreme fatigue, or unusual drowsiness
These symptoms could be signs of a complication, like an infection or kidney failure. Prompt medical attention can help keep potential complications from becoming more serious or life-threatening If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
In general, if something doesn’t feel right, notify your care team as soon as possible. “We’d much rather hear from you early than have a small problem become a bigger one,” Hugen says.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: Open Partial Nephrectomy
- Mayo Clinic: Preserving Kidney Function With Robotic Surgery
- Kidney Cancer Association: Follow-up Care After a Nephrectomy
- MedlinePlus: Kidney Removal — Discharge
- Kidney Cancer Association: Mental and Emotional Health After a Nephrectomy
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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- Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal). Mayo Clinic. September 10, 2024.
- Nephrectomy. Cleveland Clinic. December 18, 2024.
- Nephrectomy. National Kidney Foundation.
- Robotic Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. April 30, 2024.
- Preserving Kidney Function with Robotic Surgery. Mayo Clinic. March 25, 2022.
- Mohammed M et al. Outcomes of Open Radical Nephrectomy for Advanced Renal Malignant Tumors in the Minimally Invasive Era: Findings From a Single Institution Over 17 Years. Cureus. August 12, 2025.
- The Night Before Your Surgery. MedlinePlus. June 17, 2024.
- Nolazco JI et al. Impact of Tobacco Use on Postoperative Complications Following Partial Nephrectomy. Urologic Oncology. June 2025.
- Sheikh M et al. Smoking Cessation After Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Mortality and Cancer Progression: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. March 29, 2023.
- Outpatient Surgery Guide. Cleveland Clinic.
- Outpatient Surgery Guide. Cleveland Clinic.
- Open Partial Nephrectomy. Cleveland Clinic. April 20, 2026.
- Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pump. Cleveland Clinic. March 9, 2021.
- Preventing Blood Clots. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. September 20, 2022.
- Tazreean R et al. Early Mobilization in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathways: Current Evidence and Recent Advancements. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research. January 20, 2022.
- Using an Incentive Spirometer. MedlinePlus. October 19, 2025.
- Ababneh QM et al. Effectiveness of Incentive Spirometry Versus Deep Breathing Exercises in Preventing Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Abdominal Surgery: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. March 6, 2025.
- Physical Changes After a Nephrectomy. Kidney Cancer Association. October 2025.
- Surgical Site Infection Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 11, 2024.
- Kidney Removal - Discharge. MedlinePlus. April 1, 2025.
- Pain Medicines After Surgery. Mayo Clinic. January 21, 2026.
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- Sayuk GS et al. Management of Constipation in Hospitalized Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine. September 23, 2023.
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