Cystoscopy Procedures

A cystoscopy is a procedure that lets your doctor look directly inside your urethra and bladder through a telescope (cystoscope). In men, the prostate gland wraps around the urethra near the bladder. This area can also be visualized during a cystoscopy. The procedure will be performed while you are awake. It generally takes less than five minutes for the doctor to complete the procedure.

Common Indications

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Painful urination
  • Urinary frequency or overwhelming urge to urinate
  • Stones or unusual growths in the bladder or urethra
  • In men, prostatic enlargement

Preparing for the Procedure

Time of Procedure

Our receptionist will contact you the day before your procedure with your final report time. In some circumstances, your scheduled time may need to be adjusted. Please check your voice mail or answering machines for messages the day before your procedure. Most patients, can expect to be at our center for an hour.

Medications

Please notify your doctor before the day of your procedure if you take any blood thinners. Your physician will provide instructions on medications you need to stop.

Food and Drink

There are no dietary restrictions for this procedure. Consume your normal diet. If your procedure is scheduled with anesthesia, please refer to the General/Mac Anesthesia Instructions for dietary instructions.

Transportation

You may drive yourself to and from the center the day of the procedure unless you were instructed otherwise.

Bathing Instructions

We recommend showering or bathing within 24 hours before the procedure.

Medical Insurance

Our billing department will notify you before the day of surgery if you are responsible for any out of pocket medical insurance deductibles or co-pays based off your individual medical insurance.

What to Wear and Bring

Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Please bring your insurance cards and method of payment. Personal checks are not accepted day of surgery.

Contact Information

If you need to reschedule the procedure or have questions regarding the procedure, please contact the urologist’s office at 610 372-8995.

If you need to cancel the day of surgery, please call Berks Urologic Surgery Center at 610-685-1044.

Please report to Berks Urologic Surgery Center 1320 Broadcasting Rd Suite 210
Wyomissing PA 19610.

The Day of the Procedure

Pre-Op

When you arrive at the center, a nurse will walk you through the pre-operative process. Please bring along a list of medications. Please notify our staff if you have any allergies. If your doctor orders an antibiotic, the pre-op nurse will administer you the medication. Please notify the nurse if you have an implanted defibrillator.

What to Expect

You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down and change into a patient gown. When you are in the patient gown you will be asked to empty your bladder and escorted to the pre-op waiting area.

Procedure

You will be escorted to the operating room and positioned on the exam table. If ordered, a numbing gel may be used. You will be cleaned with soap and your lower body will be covered with sterile drapes. A few moments later, your doctor will enter the room and start the exam by gently inserting the tip of the cystoscope into the urethra, slowly guiding it into the bladder. Relaxing the pelvic and abdominal muscles will help make this part of the exam more comfortable. Sterile water flows through the cystoscope to expand the bladder to allow the doctor visualization of the walls of the bladder. You may feel the strong urge to urinate or bladder fullness during this time, taking slow deep breaths may help you to relax. Once the exam is completed, the doctor will remove the scope from your urethra.

Recovery

After the procedure, a nurse will escort you to the recovery room. Generally, you will be ready for discharge within a few minutes. A nurse will check your vital signs, review your discharge instructions and follow up appointments that may be required. You will receive a copy of the discharge instructions. The nurse will escort you back to the changing rooms. Prior to getting dressed, it is important for you to wash the soap off that was used to prep you for the procedure.

Discharge Instructions

Mild burning with urination and blood-tinged urine is normal after the procedure, which can last up to 3 days. If these symptoms last longer than 3 days please call the office at 610-372-8995.

Drink plenty of fluids to dilute the urine and decrease the burning. A warm bath or warm compress over the perineum may also help with the burning sensation.

You may return to your normal activities after the exam. If necessary, your doctor will provide you with special dietary, activity or medication instructions prior to you leaving the center.

Thank You

Thank you for choosing Berks Urologic Surgery Center. We look forward to taking care of you.