Should an operation be needed you will be fully informed about what it involves, what the alternatives are, and what the potential complications are. We have a number of information sheets to cover all of these points.
Surgery can be arranged for the first mutually convenient date for you and your surgeon. Surgery under general anaesthetic takes place at The Spire Cambridge Lea, The Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital, or Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. These hospitals are not all recognised by all medical insurance companies, so it is important that you confirm with your insurers that your operation will be covered by your policy. You will be given a full estimate of the professional fees for the surgery and also an indication of the length of inpatient stay if required.
You will normally be contacted prior to your operation and either asked a series of questions over the telephone or asked to come up to the hospital for a pre-assessment. This is to make sure that you are fit for your operation. Some blood tests may be done, a urine sample taken, you will have some swabs done to check for MRSA, and then you may have a tracing of your heart (ECG).
You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of the operation. It is important not to have had anything to eat for 6 hours before your operation. You will normally be allowed to drink water until 3 hours before your operation, but you will be told about this when you are sent details or your admission or at your pre-assessment.
On admission, one of the members of the hospital staff will ask for contact information and confirm your method of payment (insurance details, etc.) Once admitted to your bed, a nurse will confirm your personal details, answer any questions concerning hospital procedures and give you a wrist bracelet with your name and hospital number. Your urologist and an anaesthetist will visit you before your operation.
In the period after your surgery, you will be visited by your urologist, and your progress will be carefully monitored. A resident doctor will be on hand there at all times. Both nursing and medical staff at the hospitals are experts in the specialist care of our patients and will make sure we are kept informed at all times.
