What to expect

Your journey — step by step

1. Step 1

   GP or specialist referral

   Your GP or referring specialist sends a referral letter to the rooms, usually with copies of any recent blood tests and imaging. A valid referral is required for Medicare rebates.

2. Step 2

   Appointment booked

   The rooms contact you to schedule a consultation at your preferred location — St Vincent's Darlinghurst, Mater North Sydney, or Bowral.

3. Step 3

   First consultation

   Dr Kooner reviews your history, examines you, reviews imaging, and discusses what the findings mean. Expect a clear plan and time for questions.

4. Step 4

   Investigations (if needed)

   Additional tests — blood work, imaging, a flexible cystoscopy in the rooms, or a renal biopsy — may be arranged to confirm the diagnosis or plan treatment.

5. Step 5

   Treatment plan

   Once results are in, Dr Kooner discusses options — surveillance, medical treatment, or surgery — with their pros and cons. There is no pressure to decide on the spot.

6. Step 6

   Pre-admission (if surgery is planned)

   An anaesthetic review, consent discussion, and hospital pre-admission booking. A written estimate of fees is provided before any procedure.

7. Step 7

   Day of surgery

   Admission on the day, usually via the hospital admissions desk. You will be seen by Dr Kooner and the anaesthetist before theatre.

8. Step 8

   Hospital stay

   Length of stay varies by procedure — from a day-only discharge for small procedures to 2–4 days for major kidney surgery.

9. Step 9

   Recovery at home

   Pain relief, wound care instructions, activity guidance, and a phone number to call if anything concerns you.

10. Step 10

    Post-operative review

    A follow-up consultation 2–3 weeks after any procedure to discuss the pathology, check recovery, and plan ongoing surveillance if needed.

What to bring to your consultation

• Your GP or specialist referral letter (required for Medicare rebate).
• Medicare card and private health insurance card (if applicable).
• A list of current medications and allergies.
• Recent imaging — CT, MRI or ultrasound — on disc or a download link. Reports alone are helpful but the images themselves are ideal.
• Any pathology or biopsy reports.
• Previous specialist letters, if you have seen another urologist or specialist.
• A list of questions — it helps make the consultation efficient.

Bringing someone with you

Most patients bring a partner, family member or friend — it is often easier to take in complex information with someone else listening. You are welcome to do so.