What is a nephrectomy?
A nephrectomy is a surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back. They help filter waste and excess fluid from your blood, making urine. You only need one healthy kidney to live a normal life.
There are different types of nephrectomy:
- Partial nephrectomy – Only the part of the kidney that’s damaged or contains a tumor is removed. The rest of the kidney remains in place and continues to function.
- Radical (or total) nephrectomy – The entire kidney is removed. In some cases, nearby structures like a portion of the ureter or adrenal gland may also be taken out.
- Simple nephrectomy – Just the kidney itself is removed, usually when it’s not working properly, but isn’t cancerous.
How is it performed?
At our clinic, we specialize in robotic-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy—a minimally invasive approach that offers many benefits over traditional open surgery:
- Small incisions
- Less blood loss
- Faster recovery
- Less pain after surgery
- Shorter hospital stay
Using advanced robotic technology, the surgeon controls precision instruments through a few small incisions, allowing for precise surgical interventions. This enables greater accuracy and flexibility, particularly when working around delicate structures.
Why might someone need a nephrectomy?
A nephrectomy is the medical term for surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. While it might sound scary, this procedure is sometimes the best way to protect your overall health when a kidney is severely damaged or diseased.
Here are some common reasons a nephrectomy might be recommended:
- Kidney cancer – If a tumor is found in the kidney, removing part or all of the kidney may be the most effective way to stop the kidney cancer from spreading.
- Severe kidney damage – An injury or chronic condition (like repeated infections or kidney stones) may leave a kidney beyond repair.
- Non-functioning kidney – Sometimes a kidney stops working and may even cause problems for the rest of your body, such as high blood pressure or infection.
- Donating a kidney – Healthy individuals may choose to donate a kidney to someone in need of a transplant.
- Congenital conditions – In some cases, people are born with kidney abnormalities that eventually require the removal of the affected kidney.
The good news? Most people can live a healthy life with just one functioning kidney. And thanks to advances in surgical techniques—especially our minimally invasive options—recovery is often faster and easier than many expect.
Nephrectomy patient information
The following information will give you an overview of what to expect when you have a robotic-assisted laparoscopic kidney surgery.
The information can sometimes feel overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to have a family member or friend involved in your care and accompany you to your appointments. If you have any questions or concerns about your care, please don’t hesitate to speak with any member of our staff.
Bring this information with you to every clinic appointment and hospital visit. Refer to it often so that you will know what to expect. Also, try to write down your questions or concerns to help you remember to discuss them with us during your visits.
Your hospital stay
Patients are usually taken to the medical or surgical ward, rather than the ICU.
Occasionally, patients are taken to a monitored unit in the hospital if they have a pre-existing heart condition that requires special monitoring. All rooms are private rooms, and you will receive the same high-quality care in any patient care unit.
Discharge teaching
Your nurse will teach you how to care for yourself when you are at home. This usually includes taking care of your small incisions and the drain if you are discharged with one.
You will be taught to recognize the problems to watch for and know how to seek help if they occur. It is always a good idea to include your spouse or another caregiver in the teaching sessions.
Prescriptions
Patients are typically given prescriptions for pain medication, a stool softener, and, in some cases, an antibiotic when they are discharged home. Follow the instructions for taking these medicines carefully.
We will tell you if you should continue, stop, or change any of your other medications. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Scheduling your office appointment
Your first clinic appointment will be within 7 days after your surgery.
Post-operative instructions
This is general information on what you can expect after surgery. Your nurse will provide you with specific instructions before you leave the hospital.
You will get a list of drugs to resume after your discharge from the hospital. If you have specific indications to be on aspirin or Plavix, such as a cardiac stent or history of stroke, check with us regarding restarting the medication. Otherwise, it is safe to restart baby aspirin after your first postoperative visit.
All patients are discharged home with pain medication and stool softeners. We suggest starting with extra-strength Tylenol and supplementing with a narcotic if you do not get adequate pain control.
Activity/exercise
Activities such as walking are encouraged and will speed up your recovery.
Light exercise is also permitted. However, you should not lift anything over 8 lbs. (about the weight of a gallon of milk) until 4-6 weeks after the surgery. You should avoid any exercises that utilize your abdominal muscles, such as sit-ups and crunches, as this will predispose you to a hernia.
You should also avoid any movements that pull on your incisions or cause pain.
Shower
You may shower. This will not harm the catheter or incisions. You may not take tub baths or soak in a hot tub until the catheter is removed and incisions are healed. This is typically 4 weeks after the operation.
Driving
We do not recommend driving right after surgery, especially while you have the catheter. If you must drive, you must not be taking pain medication and be able to slam on the brakes hard if needed.
Problems to report to your doctor
- You have a fever of 101.3 F (38.5 C)
- You have persistent or large amounts of blood in your urine, drain, or entry sites.
- Your catheter is not draining.
- You have any pus-like or foul-smelling drainage. A small amount of whitish or greenish sediment on the incision is normal. If you have any hesitations, call our office or take a picture and email it to us for further instructions.
- You have continued nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- You have pain that is not relieved by medications, or your pain increases.
- You have pain or swelling in your legs.
- If you have any questions or concerns.
Tower Urology, Los Angeles’s experts in urological surgery
Tower Urology is one of the leading urology healthcare providers in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, known for our fellowship-trained specialists, cutting-edge diagnostics, and personalized care protocols. Our on-site diagnostics lab, advanced imaging, and access to Cedars-Sinai uniquely equip us to manage even the most complex neurogenic bladder cases.
Patients travel from across the United States to receive care from our nationally recognized urologists, who are consistently ranked among the top in the country.
We invite you to establish a care plan with Tower Urology.
Tower Urology is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Burbank, Glendale, and Downtown Los Angeles.
