What is a urological surgeon?
A urological surgeon is a medical professional who is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) as well as the male reproductive system.
What does a urological surgeon do?
A urological surgeon specializes in diagnosing and treating urological conditions (conditions that affect the urinary tract) in both men and women. They also diagnose and treat conditions that affect the male reproductive system.
A urological surgeon offers patients a variety of medical treatment options, as well as appropriate surgical interventions for their condition.
What type of surgeries does a urological surgeon perform?
A urological surgeon operates on both male and female urinary tracts, and on the male reproductive tract. Some of the surgeries that a urological surgeon may perform include:
- Kidney stone surgeries (ESWL, PNCL and ureteroscopy)
- BPH treatment surgeries (UroLift, Rezum therapy, TURP, HOLEP, greenlight laser, robotic enucleation, bladder neck incision, urethrotomy)
- Men’s health procedures (vasectomy and reversal, circumcision, penile prosthesis, artificial urinary sphincter)
- Cancer surgeries
- Minor procedures (hydrocele repair, epididymal cyst removal, cystoscopy).
Seeing a urological surgeon for Da Vinci Robotic Surgery at Melbourne Urology Centre
At Melbourne Urology Centre, our urological surgeons are highly trained experts in using the Da Vinci Robotic surgical system. The Da Vinci Robot is a specialised surgical device that is used to carry out robotic-assisted procedures. These procedures are minimally invasive, performed through a small number of keyhole incisions. This system offers enhanced dexterity and precision for the urological surgeon, as well as a number of benefits for the patient (less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time).
The robot is under the control of the urological surgeon at all times.
When do you need to visit a urological surgeon?
Your GP may suggest that you visit a urological surgeon in cases where you require a specialist medical evaluation for a condition that affects your urinary tract, or your reproductive tract (if you are a male).
Some common conditions that general practitioners refer patients to a urological surgeon for include:
- Kidney stones
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate in men
- Diagnosis, treatment and management of cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive tract, including prostate, bladder and kidney cancers
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Men’s health procedures, including vasectomy, vasectomy reversal, circumcision, epididymal cysts, hydrocele repairs and more.
What to expect at your appointment with a urological surgeon
Your consultation with the urological surgeon will most often begin with a thorough history-taking. Your urological surgeon will begin by taking your medical history, family history of disease, assessment of your general health, and lifestyle. They may then conduct a physical examination, if necessary. You may also be referred for testing, such as blood and urine testing, ultrasound or CT scanning, or other diagnostic imaging.
Consulting with a urological surgeon at Melbourne Urology Centre
When you choose to consult with a urological surgeon at Melbourne Urology Centre, you can be confident that you will receive the highest standard of specialist urological care. Our urologists are fully trained and highly experienced experts in their field, who use the latest technologies including robotics and laser.
We provide every patient with an individualised approach to their care, tailoring our treatment for the individual to provide the best possible outcomes. Furthermore, our urological surgeons consult and operate at a number of private hospitals throughout regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne. This allows us to treat our patients as close to their home as possible.
Our consulting and operating locations include:
- St John of God Berwick Hospital
- Mulgrave Private Hospital
- Beleura Private Hospital
- Malvern Osler House
- Epworth Freemasons
- Frankston Private Hospital
- Maryvale Private Hospital
- Kilmore & District Hospital.
How do I book in with a urological surgeon at Melbourne Urology Centre?
If you would like to arrange for a consultation with a urological surgeon at Melbourne Urology Centre, you will need to ask your family doctor for a referral to our clinic.
Once you have obtained a referral for either Dr Shekib Shahbaz or Dr Tony de Sousa, please contact our rooms and our reception staff will be happy to assist you with making an appointment time. You can get in touch with us by telephoning 1300 702 811 or by submitting the online contact form on our website.
Please note that we offer you an appointment time without a referral from your doctor first.