Pre-Op · Consent · Discharge · Wound Care · Fly Home

Surgery Day at a Busan Urology Clinic — What to Expect

The following covers the typical surgery day timeline at private urology clinics in Busan. Individual clinics may vary — confirm with your clinic before travel.

Day Before Surgery

  • Fasting: nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours before general/sedation procedures (2 hours for local anaesthesia)
  • Stop blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin): 7 days before — confirm with clinic
  • WhatsApp confirmation of fasting requirements from your surgeon
  • Arrive at hotel near the clinic the day before — do not travel same day as surgery

Arrival at the Clinic

  • Arrive 30–60 minutes before scheduled procedure time
  • Pre-operative bloodwork if not done previously (results in 3–4 hours for same-day surgery)
  • English consent forms — read carefully before signing
  • IV line placed, vital signs recorded

The Procedure

Duration varies by procedure: circumcision 15–30 minutes; vasectomy 15–20 minutes; LiSWT shockwave 15 minutes per session; gynecomastia Grade 1 30–45 minutes; BPH (UroLift) 30–45 minutes; BPH (Aquablation) 40–60 minutes; penile implant 60–90 minutes.

Recovery Room and Discharge

  • Recovery room monitoring: 1–3 hours for most day procedures
  • English discharge briefing from the surgeon personally
  • Wound care kit, medication prescription, English discharge notes
  • 24/7 WhatsApp emergency contact provided
  • KakaoTaxi back to hotel — do not use public transport on surgery day

Important: The surgeon will review your discharge readiness personally before you leave. If they are not satisfied with your condition, they will arrange same-day observation. Do not book a same-day flight after surgery — minimum 1 hotel night post-procedure for all but the smallest procedures.

Fly-Home Clearance

Individual written flight clearance is issued by the surgeon before you travel. Do not book flights without first confirming the clearance timeline with your clinic. Clearance is issued via video consultation at the appropriate milestone — not a standard protocol applied regardless of healing.

Before Your Surgery — Communication Timeline

Most Busan urology clinics on this guide follow a structured pre-operative communication pattern. 48 hours before surgery: WhatsApp confirmation of fasting requirements, medication to stop, and appointment time. 24 hours before: final confirmation. Day of surgery: arrival instructions and any last-minute bloodwork coordination.

If you have not received pre-operative fasting instructions by 48 hours before your procedure, contact the clinic directly — do not assume. Fasting requirements differ based on anaesthesia type: 6 hours for general or sedation anaesthesia, 2 hours for clear liquids, 4 hours for light solids if only local anaesthesia is used.

The Consent Process — What to Read Before Signing

English consent forms are provided by all private urology clinics on this guide. Read them. Key sections to check: description of the procedure being performed, anaesthesia type, known risks and complication rates, what happens if complications arise, the surgeon's name (confirm it matches the surgeon you consulted), and any photographs or data usage permissions.

You are entitled to ask questions before signing consent. Do not sign consent under time pressure. If anything in the consent form differs from what was discussed at consultation — stop and ask for clarification. The treating surgeon should be available to discuss before the procedure begins.

Post-Operative — The First Hour

After procedure completion, you will be monitored in a recovery area for 30–120 minutes depending on anaesthesia type. Vital signs (blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate) are monitored until stable. For local anaesthesia procedures: recovery is minimal — you may be ready to leave within 30–60 minutes. For sedation or general: 1–2 hours minimum.

English discharge briefing: the surgeon (or nurse under surgeon instruction) reviews wound care, medication, activity restrictions, signs of complications to watch for, and the WhatsApp emergency contact. Ask for clarification on anything not understood — this briefing is as important as the procedure itself.

The First 24 Hours in Busan — What Most Patients Experience

Day of surgery: return to hotel by KakaoTaxi. Rest. Pain level for most outpatient urology procedures is 2–4/10 — paracetamol (acetaminophen) manages it adequately. A prescribed analgesic may be provided for higher-acuity procedures. Eat lightly — nausea from sedation is common in the first 4 hours.

  • Drink water regularly — hydration is important for wound healing
  • Keep the wound area dry unless covered shower is cleared
  • Sleep in a comfortable position — the surgeon will specify any positional restrictions
  • WhatsApp the clinic if: temperature above 38°C, increasing (not decreasing) pain, significant bleeding through dressings, unusual swelling not mentioned at discharge