Surgery day at MenPower Urology follows a consistent, English-language protocol. You arrive fasted, are assessed by Dr. Kwon and the anesthesiologist, change into a gown, receive anesthesia, have your procedure, wake in the recovery room, receive discharge instructions in English, and leave — usually within 3–5 hours total for most procedures. Nothing happens without your verbal consent at each stage.
Hour by Hour — General Surgery Day
Day Before — Preparation
Stop eating solid food 8 hours before scheduled surgery (e.g. if surgery at 10AM, no food after 2AM). Clear liquids (water, non-sugary electrolyte drinks) until 2 hours before. Stop alcohol 48 hours before. Remove all jewellery, nail polish, contact lenses before leaving accommodation on surgery morning. Bring: passport, any prior medical records, reading material (Korean Wi-Fi provided), and your companion if you arranged one.
Clinic Arrival & Pre-Op Assessment
Arrive 45–60 minutes before scheduled procedure. Check in at reception — English-language check-in form (5 minutes). Vitals measured: blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation. Pre-op blood draw if not done in prior appointment. Dr. Kwon conducts final pre-op examination and consent review in English. You sign the English-language consent form — read it; ask every question you have. No question is too basic.
Anesthesia Pre-Op
The anesthesiologist meets you, reviews your allergy and medication history, and explains the anesthesia type for your procedure. For spinal anesthesia: you will be awake but numb from the waist down. For general anesthesia: you will be asleep. For local anesthesia + IV sedation: you will be relaxed and drowsy but may be semi-conscious. You change into a surgical gown. IV cannula inserted.
Operating Room Entry
MenPower's operating room is equipped to International Society of Urology standards. Surgical team: Dr. Kwon, one assisting nurse, and the anesthesiologist. The procedure time ranges from 20 minutes (TESA, circumcision) to 3 hours (micro-TESE, vasectomy reversal). You will not feel pain — if you feel anything other than pressure during a local anesthesia procedure, tell Dr. Kwon immediately and additional anesthetic is administered.
Recovery Room
You wake in the recovery room with nursing staff present. For general/spinal anesthesia: monitored for 60–120 minutes before discharge. Vitals checked every 15 minutes. For local/sedation procedures: monitored for 30–60 minutes. You will be offered water and a light snack (Korean rice porridge / 죽). Your companion may join you in recovery once you are stable.
Discharge Briefing
Dr. Kwon or the post-op nurse conducts an English-language discharge briefing covering: what was done in the procedure, immediate recovery instructions, medications prescribed (and when to take each), wound care instructions, activity restrictions, warning signs and what to do if they occur, and 24/7 WhatsApp number. You receive a written English discharge sheet, a Korean-language summary for local pharmacies, and a 48-hour emergency contact card.
What to Bring on Surgery Day
- Passport or government-issued photo ID
- Any prior medical records, scan results, or lab reports
- List of all current medications (including supplements)
- Loose, comfortable clothing — elastic waistband trousers (scrotal procedures)
- Slip-on shoes — bending forward is uncomfortable post-op
- Phone fully charged + charger / power bank
- Light reading or entertainment (waiting periods)
- Credit card or cash in KRW for any incidentals
- Contact number for your accommodation
Coming Alone vs. With a Companion
For procedures under local anaesthesia (circumcision, LiSWT, STD testing, UroLift) you can safely come alone and take a taxi back to accommodation. For procedures under spinal or general anaesthesia, Korean medical regulations require a responsible adult companion to accompany you from the clinic to accommodation. MenPower provides a paid escort service ($45 USD) for patients without a companion.
Language During the Procedure
Dr. Kwon will speak English throughout the procedure for conscious patients. For local anaesthesia + sedation procedures, you may be groggy but auditory awareness is common — if you hear anything that concerns you, you can ask. Post-procedure, your first English-language interaction is with the recovery room nurse who speaks conversational English. The full discharge briefing is conducted in English by Dr. Kwon.