Going For Surgery

Back to List of Surgery

 MONTH BEFORE

Contact your urologist if you have been admitted to hospital for a medical problem in the last 4-6 weeks of surgery (eg heart attack, stroke, pneumonia)

If you have not attended or been sent a Preadmissions Clinic appointment, expect to receive a letter for an appointment before surgery. This is a pre-surgery appointment with your doctors to assess your fitness for surgery.

 WEEK BEFORE

Most patients need to STOP taking their blood thinning medications 7-10 days before surgery. If you have not received clear instructions on what to do and are still taking the medication, contact your surgeon.

· List of blood thinning medication include:
- Clopidogrel
- Warfarin/Coumadin/Marevan
- Iscover
- Plavix
- Aspirin

You should inform your doctor if:
- you have an artificial heart valve as you will require stronger antibiotics
- you are taking blood thinning medication (such as Warfarin, Aspirin, Iscover or Plavix). These should be ceased one week prior to the biopsy.
- you have a urine, bladder, prostate or bowel infection(gastro) as the biopsy will need to be postponed until infection is cleared.

 DAY BEFORE

There is no need to fast for this procedure.

You will be given a script for antibiotic tablets. Start these the day before the procedure, taking one in the morning and one in the evening. These antibiotics should be taken on the day of the biopsy and continued the day after. It is important you do this to prevent any infection on the site of surgery.

 THINGS TO PACK

DAY OF PROCEDURE:
You will need to empty your bowel before the procedure. If unable to do so, use the enclosed suppository 2 hours prior to the procedure. Using gel, insert up to the second joint of your index finger.

ALL current medication
ALL Xrays, blood results