Patient Resources & FAQs

What records should I bring?

Please bring copies of your past medical records, operative notes, imaging reports, and a list of current medications.

Scheduling Your Surgery

• After your appointment, Dr. Figler will send the necessary information to our surgery scheduler.
• This process may take a few days.
• The scheduler will then call you to review available dates.
• If you do not receive a call within 7–10 days, please contact: Nikki Flood (Surgery Scheduler): 919-445-0449

Risks of Surgery

All surgeries carry some risks, including those related to anesthesia (such as pneumonia, heart attack, or stroke), bleeding, and infection.

Serious complications, although uncommon, may include:

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)
• Stroke or heart attack
• Bowel or major blood vessel injury
• Death

Risks specific to your procedure will be discussed in clinic and reviewed again when you sign your surgical consent.

Pre-Operative Appointments and Clearance

• Dr. Figler will let you know if you need pre-op appointments or clearance letters (for example, from a cardiologist before stopping blood thinners).
• If you are unsure, check your clinic note in MyChart under “Surgery Scheduling Checklist.”

Cost of Surgery

To receive an estimate of your costs, please call the UNC Surgery Estimate Department: 984-215-6899

Blood Thinners and Medications

The following medications are usually stopped before surgery (with your prescriber’s approval):

• Aspirin 325 mg
• Plavix
• Ticlid
• Coumadin
• Brilinta
• Pradaxa
• Xarelto

If you take one of these and have not already discussed a plan with Dr. Figler, please send us a MyChart message.

Other medications to continue:

• Aspirin 81 mg (for heart health): continue before and after surgery.
• NSAIDs (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Celebrex): continue before and after surgery.

Travel for Surgery

• If traveling from outside the area, we recommend staying locally at least one night after discharge. Some surgeries require longer stays—your team will let you know.
• Options include:
  • MedStay (free reservation service): 877-633-7829 | medstaychapelhill.com
  • Holiday Inn Express Hillsborough: ~ $90/night | 202 Cardinal Dr, Hillsborough, NC | 877-859-5095
  • Rizzo Center (UNC hotel): ~ $140/night | call 919-913-2098, code UNCFAM
  • SECU Family House (subsidized housing): $45–60/night | 919-932-8000 | referral required | secufamilyhouse.org

If driving or flying home after surgery, walk every 45 minutes to lower the risk of blood clots.

One Week Before Surgery

• You will receive a MyChart message one week before surgery with critical information about your surgery.
• Please read this message, follow the instructions, and let us know if you have any questions.
• If you are not signed up for MyChart, sign up now at www.myuncchart.org/MyChart/signup

Day of Surgery Guidelines

• Most surgeries are at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus (430 Waterstone Dr, Hillsborough, NC). Some are at UNC Hospitals Main Campus (101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC).
• You will receive a call the business day before surgery with your arrival time.
• If discharged the same day, you must have:
  • A responsible adult (age 18+) to drive you home.
  • Someone to stay with you after discharge.
  • Uber/Lyft/taxis are not allowed after anesthesia.

General Post-Operative Instructions

• Driving: No driving while taking pain medicine, and for at least 24 hours after anesthesia.
• Activity: Walking is encouraged to prevent blood clots.
• Showering: You may shower, but do not soak wounds for 2 weeks. Wash gently with mild soap, pat dry, and allow 10–15 minutes before dressing. A hairdryer on cool setting can help dry incisions.
• Incision: Some swelling and bruising is normal, lasting 2–3 weeks.
• Sexual activity: Avoid until cleared by your surgical team.

Post-Operative Appointment

• A follow-up appointment will be arranged after surgery.
• You will usually receive a call 1–2 days after surgery to schedule.
• If you do not hear from us within 1 week, please send a MyChart message (preferred) or call.

FMLA / Work Forms

If you need FMLA or other work forms completed:

• Upload them through MyChart (preferred), or
• Leave them with the front desk staff.

When to Contact Us After Surgery

Non-urgent questions: Send a MyChart message. These are triaged by staff—please allow up to 1 week for a reply. Call for urgent concerns.

Contact Information

• Weekdays (8 AM – 4 PM): Urology Clinic 984-974-7337
• Nights & weekends (emergency): Call 984-974-1000 and ask for the Urology resident on call