About Surgery

If your Urological condition requires surgery you will have the opportunity to have a detailed discussion with the doctor about all aspects of the operation.

You are most welcome to bring along a family member or friend for support. Information pamphlets and other resources are available for a range of Urological procedures.

You have the choice of having your procedure in a private hospital or in a public hospital. Our staff will help you with quotes for operations in the private system.

Preparation for surgery:
Careful planning and adhering to the instructions for preparing for surgery will facilitate a smooth operation and an uneventful recovery.

As a general rule, all blood thinning medicines, such as Warfarin, Aspirin (also marketed as Solprin or Cartia), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and the newer blood thinners such as Xarelto and Eliquis are stopped a few days before surgery if it is safe to do so. The decision on if and when it is safe to stop these medicines will be made in conjunction with the specialist who first prescribed the drug to you.

Many herbal extracts and “over the counter” preparations have mild blood thinning properties and should be stopped about a week prior to surgery.

Please remember to bring all your x-rays and scans to hospital when you are admitted for surgery.

Any pre-operative tests, including blood and urine tests, are usually done one week prior to surgery. You will be given instructions on where to get the tests done.

Please see the section on Anaesthetic assessment before surgery.

Anaesthetic assessment:
The specialist Anaesthetist is an important member of the surgical team. You will be examined and assessed by a member of the Anaesthetic department prior to surgery in a public hospital. This is to ensure you are fit and well to undergo surgery.

If you are due to have surgery in a private hospital the Anaesthetist will contact you and arrange to see you either before the day of surgery or if you do not have any significant medical issues on the day of the operation.

The day of surgery:
A staff member from the hospital where you are booked to have your operation will contact you to advise you of the fasting period before surgery and the time of admission. They will also advise you of any personal effects you will need during your hospital stay.

Most patients who are discharged home after surgery are able to manage independently. You will be given information about any special precautions you may have to take after surgery.

You may be discharged home sometimes with a removable surgical device. You will be taught how to manage such a device and you will be given a time frame for removal of this device in the rooms.

If you require special support at home such as community nurse visits or meals-on-wheels, these services can be arranged for eligible patients, with the help of the hospital staff.

If you are discharged on the same day after a day stay procedure please remember to arrange transport home and for an adult to be with you at home on the first night. You should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after having an anaesthetic.

During your stay in hospital you will be cared for by experienced nurses who will do their best to make your stay comfortable and stress free.

Post Surgery Care:
Most patients who are discharged home after surgery are able to manage independently. You will be given information about any special precautions you may have to take after surgery.

You may be discharged home sometimes with a removable surgical device. You will be taught how to manage such a device and you will be given a time frame for removal of this device in the rooms.

If you require special support at home such as community nurse visits or meals-on-wheels, these services can be arranged for eligible patients, with the help of the hospital staff.

If you are discharged on the same day after a day stay procedure please remember to arrange transport home and for an adult to be with you at home on the first night. You should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after having an anaesthetic.