General Questions
What does a Urologist do?
A urologist is a specialised doctor with advanced knowledge in the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. A urologist will treat and manage issues involved with the kidney, bladder, prostate, penis, testis and adrenal gland.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
Yes, you will require a current referral from your General Practitioner (GP) or another specialist. The referral from your GP will ensure that you are seeing the correct specialist for your condition.
You will be required to bring this current referral with you to your first consultation. GP referrals are valid for a period of 12 months and specialist referrals are valid for a period of 3 months.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
You will need to bring the following to your appointment:
Your valid GP or specialist referral
Medicare card and private health fund details
DVA or pension card
Any Xrays, CT scans or MRIs
Blood or urine tests
A list of your current medications
A list of any allergies to any drugs
Previous operation reports, if relevant
How soon can I see Dr Winter after a referral is made?
After you have obtained your GP referral, please endeavour to make an appointment at your earliest convenience. Our staff will do all be can to ensure you are seen promptly.
Where do I go park my car?
Parking is provided at each of the hospital and medical rooms where Dr Winter provides his services.
For hospital and parking information, please click on the links below to show you additional information and maps for each of the hospitals:
What are Dr Winter’s areas of interest and expertise? What services does he offer?
Dr. Winter is a Urological Surgeon who provides services to treat all urological conditions which refers to problems of the adrenals, kidneys, ureters, prostate, bladder and testis, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer. He also treats kidney stones, urinary issues, prostate enlargement, vasectomy and general urology.
What will the consult cost?
When you make your appointment with our office, you will be quoted an estimation of fees which will be payable on the day of your appointment. The cost of the consultation may vary depending on whether the appointment is the initial consult or a follow up appointment.
Do I need private health insurance?
Dr Winter provides a full public and private service in a variety of locations for his patients’ convenience. In situations of financial hardship, Dr Winter can offer your operation in a timely fashion free of service in the public hospital.
What should I expect during my appointment?
Dr Winter will review your referral, including any scans and tests and will take a thorough history from you. You may be asked to undergo an examination. If required, he may order additional scans or blood tests.
If you require an operation, Dr Winter will explain the options available to you including the risks involved. He will answer any questions you may have.
Do you have staff that can speak other languages?
Unfortunately at this time we do not have any staff that are fluent in other languages. If you require English interpretation, we ask that you bring a family member, friend or translator with you to help you better understand what transpires during the consultation.
If you have no friends or family members who can attend and have a Medicare card we may be able to assist you with getting a translator. Please contact our office via our contact form or phone if you require a translator.
Can I bring family or friends with me to my appointment?
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your family or friends along to the consultation. Please be aware that you may require a physical examination and your personal medical information and treatment will be discussed. So if you do not want them to be present while these activities occur we advise that you ask them to wait in the waiting room during the consultation.
Before and After Surgery Questions
Can I eat before surgery?
You will be required to fast at least 6 hours prior to the operation. Any further pre-operative preparation will be discussed with Dr Winter.
How long will it take to recover? When can I resume my usual daily activities?
In most cases, you will be able to go home within 24 hours after surgery. You should be able to resume your usual activities within 2-4 weeks after surgery.
When can I start exercising again?
After your operation, Dr Winter will see you for a follow up appointment and will advise when you can return to full activities. Generally speaking, you require 4-6 weeks of rest after the operation to allow for healing.
How much is it going to hurt?
You’ll have discomfort but Dr Winter and his team will ensure you are treated comfortably with pain medication.
Am I fit for surgery?
The healthier you are prior to the operation, the easier your recovery will be. Make sure you maintain or start some exercise prior to your surgery. Do not undertake a rigorous new training regime.
Dr Winter may require you to obtain a medical clearance from your general practitioner if he considers this necessary.
If you have heart disease, your cardiologist may need to assess your fitness for surgery. Your high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol may also need to be assessed.
Do I need to stop my blood thinning medications before surgery or any other medications?
All blood thinners need to be stopped prior to your operation. You should tell Dr Winter all the medications and natural health products you take. He will then instruct you which medications must be stopped prior to the procedure or surgery.
What can I expect on the day of my surgery step by step?
1.You will be admitted to hospital on the same day as your operation and your general fitness will be assessed along with additional investigations.
2. You will asked by Dr Winter if you have any of the following:
An artificial heart valve
A coronary artery stent
A heart pacemaker or defibrillator
An artificial joint
An artificial blood vessel graft
A neurosurgical shunt
Any other implant foreign body
A regular prescription for warfarin, aspirin, or Plavix
A previous or current MRSA infection
A high risk of variant – CJD
Any allergies
3. You may need to administer or be given a small enema to ensure your bowels are empty before surgery. This ensures that your bowel is clean so that stool will not be present that could compromise your scheduled surgery.
4. You will not be able to eat or drink for six hours prior to surgery.
5. After you have opened your bowels you will be able to take a shower and put on a clean gown.
6. The anesthetist will give you some medication to make you sleepy. You will also be administered an injection called Clexane which will prevent clots in your legs.
What follow up can I expect?
After the operation, Dr Winter will inform you of how the operation went and after you are discharged, you will have a follow up appointment to see how you are progressing. You may also need to have your wounds checked or cleaned. Please ensure that the follow up appointment is booked with Dr Winter prior to your discharge.
Why should I choose robotic surgery?
Dr Winter can offer robotic surgery for some conditions in both the public and private hospital either in Sydney or in the Western Sydney suburb of Penrith. This surgery will be less invasive and allows for greater precision and accuracy. You will also benefit from less blood loss, shorter operative time and a faster recovery. You can also expect a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal daily activities.
Do you still have a question that we didn’t cover?
Please contact our friendly staff today with your questions and we will be in touch.