 Understanding what to expect when you're about to undergo surgery allows you to feel confident and plan appropriately.
Within 3 to 4 business days of your visit with the urologist, expect a call from your surgery coordinator. Your coordinator will review any medical allergies you may have, explain what pre-operative tests are required and coordinate a surgery date among you, your surgeon and the surgical facility.
Surgery Days
Your urologist has specific days designated for performing surgery. You can view your urologist's surgery days by visiting his or her profile page.
Hospital Affiliations
While your surgeon is credentialed to see patients at most hospitals in the city, he or she has dedicated operating room time for non-emergency cases at one or two hospitals, usually located near his or her office. The teams at these hospitals are used to working closely with your doctor and have the needed surgical equipment for your procedure.
Once your surgery date is scheduled, our office will verify your insurance's coverage policies for the procedure. If an authorization, pre-certification or a referral from your primary care provider or insurance carrier is required, we'll request it on your behalf.
All patients preparing for surgery must stop taking herbal supplements and aspirin-containing medications at least 7 days prior to surgery. These medications interfere with blood clotting and continuing to take them could lead to excessive bleeding during and after your procedure.
To make sure your body is fit to undergo surgery, your urologist may require that you undergo pre-operative testing. Your surgery coordinator will explain what tests are needed and where you should go to complete them. You must complete all of the tests prior to your surgery date or your surgery may be canceled.
Once your surgery coordinator has scheduled your procedure, you may contact the surgical facility to pre-register for your visit. Most surgical facilities allow you to pre-register online, by phone or in person. During pre-registration, you will receive additional information about what to expect during your time in the hospital.
Your surgery coordinator will call you the day before your procedure to review final instructions and answer any questions.
Unless you have been told otherwise by your coordinator, do not eat or drink ANYTHING (not even gum, mints or water) after midnight the night before surgery.
If you are diabetic and taking insulin or an oral diabetes medication, do not take your medication the morning of the procedure. The nurse at the hospital will check your blood sugar and give you any medication that may be required.
Arrive at the hospital at the designated time and report to the "admitting" area for check in.
If instructed by your urologist or his or her staff, please review to the appropriate pre-procedure instruction packet.
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