Laparoscopic nephrectomy procedure includes your initial visit, at which time you should bring any x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, testing, or medical records that you may have. Our medical staff will then attain a medical history and you will have a brief physical. When you have finished discussing your different treatment options with the doctor a date will be set for your laparoscopic nephrectomy. According to each individuals needs different tests may be performed prior to the surgery. Our staff will inform you of which ones you may need. Some tests may include: blood tests, urine analysis, and an EKG.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy procedure preparations are similar to most surgeries. If you are taking blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix, or Coumadin they need to be discontinued as your surgeon prescribes. A bowel prep the night before surgery and not drinking or eating anything after 12 o’clock before your surgery. Twenty four hours prior to surgery you should go on a clear diet which includes: water, juices (no tomato or orange juice), tea, and jello without fruit.

Once the laparoscopic nephrectomy procedure is ongoing the surgeon may remove either part of the kidney or the entire kidney. When the entire kidney is removed, the fat that surrounds the kidney is also removed. The adrenal gland and the lymph nodes around the kidney may also need to be removed.

Kidney cancer kills 12 thousand people a year in the US according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. With over 50 thousand being diagnosed with kidney cancer a year our medical decisions and our vigilance and follow up are all the more important in averting serious consequences. Keeping our kidney healthy becomes even more serious when we see the other kidney disorders that are also occurring in our population.  End stage renal disease kills 86 thousand people a year in the US alone with over half a million being treated for it. Other major urological disorders that affect the kidney include diabetes, Glomerulonephritis, and cystic kidney disease. By having these disorders in our perspective we will be able to make intelligent and predictive decisions for our overall heath needs.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy procedure post operative recovery will include having some pain right after the procedure which will be controlled with IV pain medication ordered by our urologists, when you wake up you will also have a urinary catheter to help drain the urine from your bladder. Initially you may have some “blood in urine” blood that you can see in your urine called “gross hematuria” or unseen blood in urine called “microhematuria”. You will be asked to get out of bed and walk with assistance and you will be given breathing exercises after your surgery. The next day you will be given solid foods and your medications will be given by mouth.