Your doctor may request medical clearance from your primary care physician or specialist if you have certain medical conditions or risk factors before proceeding with surgery. We strive for excellent surgical outcomes and want to make sure that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery.

Anesthesia is the use of medications to prevent feeling any pain and to keep you comfortable during the surgical procedure. A dedicated, highly trained team to doctors and nurses use a variety of modern equipment and medicines to accomplish this and to keep you safe before, during, and after the surgery.

On the day of surgery, the anesthesiologist will speak directly to you prior to going to the operating room for surgery. The patient (and family) will have the opportunity to speak directly to the anesthesia team and you will be afforded the time to answer any questions that you have prior to proceeding with the surgery. They will discuss their plan for your specific anesthetic and obtain your written consent to proceed. It is not uncommon for the patient to prepare a list of questions they want answered to ensure that each concern is addressed. 

Most surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. Oftentimes, anesthesiologists will tailor the anesthesia plan to the specific patient based on the planned surgery, risk factors, or medical conditions. Please ask your doctor if you have any questions about your specific surgery, but this is typically differed to the anesthesia team due to their expertise on the topic.

Yes, the patient is provided multiple opportunities to speak to their surgeon prior to surgery to ensure all questions and concerns have been addressed. Please feel free to call the office if you have a specific question, however, you will visit with your doctor during the pre-operative appointment and also prior to going into the operating room on the day of surgery. It is not uncommon for the patient to prepare a list of questions they want answered and present them to the doctor at the pre-operative appointment to ensure that each concern is addressed. 

The doctor that you met with during your consultation or pre-operative visit will be performing the surgery. Occasionally the doctor will have an assistant for the procedure or students observing. In these situations, these additional people would also be present during the surgery. If there is any exception to this, the patient will be contacted, notified, and permission will be obtained from the patient

Occasionally, your doctor will give them beforehand, especially upon your request, however, it is at the doctors’ discretion when the prescriptions will be given. Please provide your surgeon with the information for your preferred pharmacy, as often times the prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy through the computer. Some patients prefer that their medications be sent to the closest pharmacy to the surgical facility where the procedure will be held.

You MUST cancel your surgery AT LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS before the scheduled date. Please note that you will be charged a $100 cancellation fee. If you do not plan on keeping your scheduled surgery date, please inform the office as soon as possible so that another patient may be offered that time slot. 

We try and schedule patients at the earliest possible date and with respect to their schedule. However, if you would like an earlier date or a date adjustment, please let the surgery scheduler know. When possible, they will offer you an earlier slot if it becomes available or an adjusted date if the schedule permits. Please note that scheduling depends on multiple factors, including how long your surgery is expected to take, what equipment is needed for your surgery, if an assistant is needed for the specific surgery, and if the facility where the surgery is going to be performed has availability. Surgeries that are longer or that require specific equipment are typically more difficult to reschedule.

It is recommended that you rest and recover at home with assistance the day after surgery. Certain surgical procedures may be required to stay in the hospital for one or more nights. 

The recovery time depends on the type of surgery that you are undergoing. Please discuss specifics with your surgeon “Surgical Guide” for more specific times. Some general times are listed below:

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: 1-2 weeks

• Ureteroscopic Stone Treatment: 3-7 days 

• Ureteral Stent Placement: 1-3 days

• Extracorporal Shockwave Lithotripsy: 1-3 days 

• Transurethral Resection of Prostate: 3-7 days 

• Laser Ablation of Prostate: 1-3 days 

• Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: 3-7 days 

Your doctor will give you more specific information and/or extend these times if necessary.

It is encouraged to be out of bed, progressing your daily activities, and walking as much as possible after surgery. It has been shown that the more active a patient can be after the procedure the quicker they return to normal activity. You will be provided information with further instructions and any limitations by your surgeon. 

Transportation services may be used if accompanied by a friend or family member. It is not encouraged to use transportation services without being accompanied by an adult. Furthermore, it is not advised to use public transpiration after your procedure. 

Driving yourself home is not permitted after surgery due to the anesthesia administered for the procedure. We require a known driver to accompany you to drive you home.

All of our patients may eat after surgery. We recommend these general dietary guidelines:

• Eat lightly after surgery as you may be nauseous due to the anesthesia. It is advised to start with liquids to ensure that you don’t get an upset stomach before you progress to soft foods (yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce) and further progress to solid (normal consistency) foods. 

• Do NOT consume alcohol for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

• Use ONLY the medications provided to you, along with your routine prescribed medications, unless directed otherwise.

Yes, it is very common to see blood in the urine after urology procedures. In the case that there is blood present in the urine, we advise increasing fluid intake to make the urine as clear as possible. If the blood gets too thick it may clot and form chunks of blood in the urine. This is common and is managed by increasing fluid intake to provoke increased urination.

Please bring your identification, insurance card, medical clearance (if necessary), and an accurate and complete list of medications you are currently taking.

Complete your pre-surgery consultation and office visit with your surgeon to ensure all questions are answered before your surgery date.

• Avoid tobacco, recreational drugs, and alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure.

• Talk to your doctor about how to take your medications before surgery.

• You must remain without food or drink for 8 hours prior to surgery or anesthesia WILL CANCEL the procedure. 

• If you have children, arrange for childcare while you're at the hospital or surgery center.

• Arrange for a ride home after surgery is complete.

Arrive an hour prior to your scheduled surgery time.

The duration is dependent on how complex the surgery is. Please discuss with your surgeon the expected duration of your specific surgery.