Examinations and diagnostics
An examination is the first step before any procedure, and it can also be the only reason for coming. Nothing is decided in advance at the examination: the surgeon looks, listens to what is bothering you and tells you what can be done, what should not be done and what would be reasonable in your case.
Not sure what you need? Start with an examination. Nurse Martina will gladly answer your questions and concerns and arrange an appointment.
First examination with the surgeon
The first examination lasts 30 to 45 minutes on average. The surgeon examines the area you are concerned about, asks about previous illnesses, medicines, allergies and earlier operations, and talks with you about what you expect. If a procedure is appropriate and likely to help, you receive a plan: which procedure is proposed, under which anaesthesia, how long it takes, what recovery looks like and what is included in the price. If a procedure is not needed or would not give you what you expect, you will hear that at the examination too.
Bring any test results and discharge letters you have, a list of the medicines you take and, if you have already had surgery, details of that procedure. None of this is a condition for the examination; anything that is missing can be done at the clinic.
Who carries out the examination?
The examination is carried out by a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, a specialist in general surgery or a specialist in urology, depending on what is bothering you. Who will operate is decided at the examination, based on the findings and the type of procedure. You know the name of the surgeon before the procedure and meet them at the examination.
→ Doctors and team at Poliklinika Barbel
Anaesthetic assessment
Before a procedure under general or regional anaesthesia, you are examined by the anaesthetist. The clinic has a full-time anaesthetist, so the examination by the surgeon and the anaesthetist can be done on the same day. The anaesthetist goes through your test results, medicines and earlier experience with anaesthesia and tells you what needs to be done before the operation. The same doctor is also present during the procedure.
The anaesthetic assessment and the anaesthesia in larger operations are included in the price of the procedure; an examination or opinion alone, without a procedure at the clinic, is charged separately.
→ Price list: what is included in the price?
→ Anaesthesia: what happens before, during and after the procedure?
Urological examination and diagnostics
When should you see a urologist? See a urologist for problems with urination, pain in the groin or scrotum, a lump or swelling on a testicle, recurrent infections, blood in the urine and questions about fertility. You can also come without any symptoms: for a routine check-up and for follow-up of a known finding. Examinations are also done for women: recurrent bladder infections, blood in the urine, pain in the kidney area and difficulty urinating are urological problems in women too; the examination and ultrasound are the same.
What can you expect at the examination? A urological examination has two parts: a conversation about your symptoms, earlier illnesses and medicines, and a clinical examination. Depending on the findings, an ultrasound is done straight away, in the same visit, if it is needed. A urological examination can be done on its own or with an ultrasound of the urinary tract. The clinic performs ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, prostate and testicles, colour Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys, penis and testicles, and urethrocystoscopy. Urethrocystoscopy is done under local anaesthesia; sedation or general anaesthesia is an option, because at Poliklinika Barbel the anaesthetist works full time. You receive the findings at the examination, and if a procedure is needed, it is arranged in the same place.
When is a procedure needed, and when is the condition monitored? Most urological conditions people come in with do not need an operation straight away. A hydrocele or an epididymal cyst is monitored as long as it does not hurt, grow or cause problems; phimosis in adults is operated on when it makes hygiene or intercourse difficult or when infections keep recurring. An operation is done when the problem does not go away, when the ultrasound shows a change, when fertility is at issue or when the condition affects the testicle. The first step is always an examination with an ultrasound: it separates what is monitored from what is operated on, and gives most of the answers on the same day.
Examinations, diagnostics and urological procedures are led by a specialist in urology. Procedures at Poliklinika Barbel are paid for privately.
→ Urological procedures in the list of services · Erectile dysfunction and erection problems
Pre-operative tests
A procedure under general anaesthesia requires blood and urine tests and an ECG; larger procedures also require additional tests determined by the anaesthetist. You can bring the results from your own doctor or have the tests done at the clinic. You will hear at the examination which tests are needed in your case.
→ Patient journey: from the first enquiry to the last check-up
Check-ups and dressing changes after the procedure
Check-ups during the first three months and dressing changes for patients operated on at Poliklinika Barbel are included in the price of the procedure; what is charged separately is stated in the price list.
→ Price list: what is included in the price?
Prices of examinations and diagnostics
A surgical examination and opinion for an operation costs €50–80 on average, an examination and second opinion without an operation €200, a urological examination €80, and with an ultrasound of the urinary tract €120. A second examination at the surgeon's request is not charged. All prices of examinations, tests and hourly anaesthesia are in one place in the list of services.
→ All prices of examinations, tests and anaesthesia in the price list
Frequently asked questions about the urological examination
Do I need a referral for a urological examination? No. The examination at Poliklinika Barbel is paid for privately and you book directly, without a referral and without waiting for an appointment with a family doctor. You can take the report you receive to your own doctor or to a urologist in the public system if treatment continues there.
Is the ultrasound done on the same day as the examination? Depending on the findings of the examination, the ultrasound is done straight away, in the same visit.
Does urethrocystoscopy hurt? Urethrocystoscopy is done under local anaesthesia. Sedation or general anaesthesia is an option, because at Poliklinika Barbel the anaesthetist works full time.
I felt a lump on a testicle. Who do I see? Changes in the testicle and scrotum are examined with ultrasound and belong to urology. What it can be and when to come for an examination is explained on the page Lump on the testicle. Other lumps under the skin are covered on the page Lump under the skin.
How do I prepare for a urological examination? Come with a full bladder if a bladder ultrasound has been arranged, because a full bladder is easier to see. Bring a list of the medicines you take and earlier results, including PSA if you have it. No special preparation is needed for a prostate examination.
When should a man first see a urologist, even without symptoms? From age 45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer, otherwise from 50, in agreement with the family doctor. It is worth examining your testicles yourself once a month from puberty; any new hardness or lump should be examined without waiting.
Does a prostate examination hurt? The examination with a finger through the rectum takes a few seconds and is not pleasant, but it does not hurt. An ultrasound of the prostate through the abdomen cannot be felt.
Blood in the urine: how urgent is it? Blood that you can see in the urine, even without pain, should be examined within a few days, not within a few months. The most common causes are infection and a urinary stone, but a bladder tumour is always ruled out too, because it is easily treated when found early.
Do you also treat erection problems? Yes. Weakening of erection is a urological problem with a physical cause in most men and is examined like any other problem: a conversation, an examination, an ultrasound and a blood test.
→ Erectile dysfunction and erection problems
How do I book?
Send a message on WhatsApp or call. Nurse Martina will gladly answer your questions and concerns and arrange an appointment for the examination. Opening hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00–20:00, other times and weekends by arrangement.