Patient Education
Preparing for Your Procedure
Clear, practical instructions for before and after urologic surgery, plus procedure-specific guidance for each operation.
Before Surgery
Before Surgery
- Complete any required labs, EKG, or medical clearance well before your date.
- Provide a urine sample so any infection is treated in advance.
- Stop smoking as early as possible; it meaningfully improves healing.
- Arrange a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you the first night.
- Confirm your arrival time the business day before surgery.
Medications & Blood Thinners
- Bring a complete, current medication list including supplements.
- Never stop a blood thinner on your own; the decision is made with your prescribing physician.
- Aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, and rivaroxaban each have different hold instructions.
- Stop fish oil, vitamin E, and most herbal supplements about a week before surgery.
- Ask specifically about diabetes medications and GLP-1 agonists.
Preparing for Anesthesia
- You will receive a call from the anesthesia team before surgery with exact instructions on when to stop eating and drinking.
- In general, nothing to eat after midnight; clear liquids may be allowed until a set time.
- Take approved morning medications with a small sip of water.
- Tell the team about sleep apnea, prior anesthesia problems, or loose teeth.
- Use your CPAP machine as usual the night before and bring it if you are staying overnight.
What to Bring
- Photo ID, insurance card, and your medication list.
- Loose, comfortable clothing and slip-on shoes.
- A case for glasses, contacts, dentures, or hearing aids.
- CPAP machine and any assistive devices if staying overnight.
- Leave jewelry, cash, and valuables at home.
After Surgery: General Recommendations
After Surgery
- Expect fatigue for a few days; rest, but walk several times a day.
- Drink plenty of water unless you have been told to restrict fluids.
- Avoid constipation and straining; use a stool softener if needed.
- Keep all follow-up appointments even if you are feeling well.
Catheter Care
- Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder at all times.
- Keep the catheter and drainage bag clean; rinse away any debris with plain water.
- Secure the catheter to your leg or thigh with a fixation pad so it cannot be pulled.
- Pink or lightly blood-tinged urine is expected; bright red urine with clots is not.
- Call immediately if the catheter stops draining or falls out.
Pain Management
- Scheduled acetaminophen and an anti-inflammatory control most post-operative pain.
- Narcotic medication, when prescribed, is intended for short-term use only.
- Bladder spasms are common with a catheter and are treated with specific medication.
- Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication.
Activity & Returning to Work
- Walk daily starting the day of surgery to reduce clot risk.
- No lifting over ten pounds until cleared, generally two to six weeks depending on the procedure.
- Avoid cycling, straddling, and strenuous exercise until cleared.
- Desk work is often possible within a week; physical work usually takes longer.
When to Seek Help
Call the office at 346-414-3426 for any of the following. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, or heavy bleeding, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- Fever above 101.5°F or shaking chills
- Inability to urinate or a catheter that stops draining
- Heavy bleeding or clots that do not clear with fluids
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or a swollen painful calf
- Pain that is not controlled by prescribed medication
- Redness, swelling, or drainage from an incision
Procedure-specific instructions
Each procedure guide includes its own preparation, catheter, recovery, and return-to-activity instructions.