Hospital Surgery · University Urology, PC
Nephrectomy & Partial Nephrectomy
Surgical expectation guide for kidney removal surgery — covering pre-anesthesia testing, preparation, what to expect in the hospital, and recovery at home.
Your surgery date and arrival time
Your surgery date and arrival time are listed in the written instructions provided by our office. If you have any questions about your date, arrival time, or where to go, please contact our office at (865) 305-9254 or the pre-op RN directly at (865) 440-1579 to clarify before your surgery day.
Please refer to the driving & parking instructions
See Getting to UTMC for directions, parking, and registration instructions for the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Pre-Anesthesia Testing
Pre-Anesthesia Consultation & Testing (PAT)
Before your surgery, you will have a Pre-Anesthesia Testing appointment at UTMC. This appointment ensures the day of surgery runs smoothly and safely.
What happens at your PAT appointment
- Full health history and physical exam
- Necessary lab work
- EKG and Chest X-Ray if age or medical conditions require
- Medication review — especially blood thinners and GLP-1 medications
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance cards
- Complete medication list with dosages and timing (prescription and over-the-counter)
- Names and phone numbers of all specialists and your primary care physician
What to tell your doctor
- Any personal or family history of bleeding disorders or anesthesia reactions
Your PAT appointment date and time
Your Pre-Anesthesia Testing date and time are listed in the written instructions provided by our office. If you have any questions about your PAT appointment, please contact our office at (865) 305-9254 or the pre-op RN at (865) 440-1579.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
Medications & Fasting
Blood thinners
Stop as directed by your prescribing physician — typically 3–7 days before surgery.
- Plavix and Warfarin: Stop 7 full days before surgery (e.g., if surgery is Wednesday, stop after Tuesday’s dose the prior week)
- Xarelto and Eliquis: Stop 2 full days before surgery (e.g., if surgery is Wednesday, stop after Sunday’s evening dose)
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, etc.)
Stop 7 days prior to surgery.
SGLT-2 medications (Jardiance, Invokana, Farxiga, Brenzavvy, etc.)
Stop 3 days prior to surgery.
Herbal medications and supplements
Stop 7 days prior to surgery.
All other prescription medications
Continue unless directed otherwise. Take approved medications on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.
Fasting Instructions
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before your arrival time
This includes no gum chewing or hard candy. Follow this rule strictly — eating or drinking before surgery may require postponing your procedure.
Blood thinners: do not stop without contacting your prescribing provider
If you have been prescribed aspirin or blood thinners by a cardiologist or other physician, contact that provider before making any changes. Do not stop on your own. Examples include: Warfarin (Coumadin), Plavix, Lovenox, Xarelto, Eliquis, and over-the-counter aspirin. If your blood thinner cannot be stopped for the required timeframe, contact your surgeon to discuss.
Bowel Prep — Dr. White Patients Only
Additional Instructions for Dr. White’s Patients
Dr. Wesley White patients have additional fasting and bowel preparation requirements
These instructions apply only if Dr. White is your surgeon. Follow these in addition to the standard pre-surgery instructions above.
Clear liquid diet
Begin a clear liquid diet the day before surgery, continuing until midnight. Clear liquids include: strained juices (no pulp), water, clear broth, coffee or tea without milk or creamer, Gatorade, carbonated beverages, Jell-O without toppings, ice popsicles, and hard candy.
GoLytely preparation
A GoLytely prescription will be provided. Follow the kit instructions and begin drinking it the day prior to surgery at 10:00 AM.
Fleet enema
Administer a Fleet enema the night before surgery at 10:00 PM per package instructions.
Day of Surgery
Hygiene & Logistics
Hygiene
Shower the night before and the morning of surgery using an antibacterial soap. Do not use lotions, powders, or deodorant on the day of surgery.
What to bring
Photo ID, insurance card, and your complete medication list. Leave all valuables and jewelry at home — your driver will be responsible for belongings while you are in surgery.
Driver required
You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. Public transportation and ride shares (Uber, Lyft, etc.) are not permitted unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Hospital stay
Most patients stay overnight and are discharged the following day. Some patients may stay 1–5 days depending on the type of surgery.
Surgery time may change
The time of your surgery may change. If your scheduled time changes, the facility will contact you. Please plan to be available for surgery at any time on your scheduled surgery date.
About the Surgery
Types of Kidney Surgery
Partial Nephrectomy
Only the tumor or diseased portion of the kidney is removed. The healthy kidney tissue is preserved. This is the preferred approach for most localized kidney tumors at University Urology.
Radical Nephrectomy
The entire kidney is removed. In some cases nearby tissues — including the adrenal gland, surrounding fat, or lymph nodes — may also be removed.
Robotic / Laparoscopic (Minimally Invasive)
Small incisions, faster recovery, less post-operative pain. This is the approach used for most patients at University Urology.
Open Surgery
A larger incision in the side or abdomen. May be required for larger or more complex tumors.
You will receive a general anesthetic — you will be deeply asleep and will not feel any pain during surgery.
Hospital & Recovery
What to Expect in the Hospital & at Home
In the hospital
- IV fluids and pain medication (the anesthesia team may discuss a nerve block on the day of surgery)
- Urinary catheter overnight to monitor urine output
- Diet starts with clear liquids and advances as tolerated
- Walking is encouraged as early as possible to reduce gas pain, restore bowel function, and prevent blood clots
At home — what to do
- Keep incisions clean and dry. Shower 24–48 hours after surgery; gently pat dry.
- Walk daily to build strength and reduce blood clot risk
- Drink plenty of water unless otherwise directed
At home — what to avoid
- No water submersion (baths, swimming, hot tubs) for 3 weeks after surgery
- No lifting over 10 lbs for 2 weeks, then no lifting over 25 lbs for 3–6 weeks
- No driving while taking pain medications
- No strenuous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery
Follow-Up
Post-Operative Appointment
Your post-operative office visit is typically within 1–2 weeks after surgery. Pathology results (if cancer was suspected) will be discussed at this visit. Results typically take at least 7 days.
Your post-operative appointment
Your post-op visit date and time will be provided in your discharge paperwork. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (865) 305-9254.
After Surgery
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your care team if you experience any of the following after discharge:
Fever
Temperature over 101°F
Wound concerns
Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the incision or surgical site
Breathing / chest
Shortness of breath or chest pain
After hours
Call (865) 305-9254 and follow prompts for the on-call provider. For emergencies, go to your nearest ER or call 911.
University Urology & UTMC Contacts
Questions About Your Kidney Surgery?
Contact our office or message us through Klara. For day-of-surgery questions, call Leah directly at (865) 440-1579.