Patient Resources And Educational Information
Access helpful educational materials and preparation guidance designed to help you better understand urologic conditions, procedures, and surgical preparation.
Educational Resources For Patients
Understanding your condition and treatment options is an important part of receiving medical care. Bower Urology provides educational resources that help patients learn more about common urologic conditions, procedures, and treatment approaches.
These materials are intended to support conversations between patients and their healthcare providers by offering clear explanations of frequently discussed topics in urology.
The videos below address a variety of conditions and procedures commonly treated in our practice.
Patient Education Video Library
The following educational videos provide additional information about common urologic conditions and procedures.
Preoperative Checklist
If you are scheduled for surgery, there are three main requirements that must be completed prior to your procedure: labs, medical clearance, and medication adjustments.
These instructions apply to procedures performed in the operating room and do not apply to patients undergoing in-office procedures.
Labs
Patients will receive instructions during their visit regarding laboratory testing.
Labs are generally drawn two weeks prior to surgery at either Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp, depending on insurance coverage.
If you are undergoing kidney tumor surgery, labs will typically be drawn at the hospital the day before surgery.
Please ensure all required labs are completed at least two weeks prior to surgery.
Clearance
Depending on your medical history, you may require:
- A simple EKG and interview with a provider at MD Now
- Full cardiac clearance
Dr. Bower will review these requirements when your surgery is scheduled.
If cardiac clearance is required, a clearance request form will be sent to your cardiologist. Please contact your cardiologist’s office to confirm that they have received the request.
If the cardiologist requires an appointment close to your surgery date, notify our office immediately so scheduling adjustments can be made if necessary.
Medication Changes
- Aspirin should be held 5 days prior to surgery
- All supplements should be held 5 days prior to surgery
- Blood thinners such as Plavix, Eliquis, or Coumadin should be held according to your cardiologist’s instructions
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
These medications must be stopped at least one week prior to surgery. If these medications are not stopped in time, surgery may need to be postponed.
Affected medications include:
- Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- Wegovy (Semaglutide)
- Rybelsus (Semaglutide)
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
- Bydureon (Exenatide)
- Byetta (Exenatide)
- Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- Victoza (Liraglutide)
- Trulicity (Dulaglutide)
- Tanzeum (Albiglutide)
- Adlyxin (Lixisenatide)
Diabetes Medications
Oral diabetes medications should be held the morning of surgery.
If you use insulin:
- Take half the normal dose of long-acting insulin
- Hold short-acting insulin the morning of surgery
ACE Inhibitors And ARBs
Medications such as:
- Lisinopril
- Losartan
- Diovan
- Valsartan
- Irbesartan
- Telmisartan
should be held the morning of surgery.
All other morning medications should be taken with a sip of water unless otherwise instructed.
Additional Preoperative Instructions
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, except for medications noted above.
Patients will be contacted the day before surgery with their scheduled arrival time.
Due to equipment requirements, emergency procedures, and scheduling adjustments, exact surgery times cannot be confirmed until the day before the procedure.
Patients should plan for:
- Approximately 2 hours from arrival until surgery begins
- Approximately 2 hours from the end of surgery until discharge or inpatient transfer
Patients undergoing prostatectomy should follow the bowel preparation instructions provided in the office.
Questions Or Assistance
If you have questions regarding your upcoming procedure or preparation instructions, please contact the office.