Private Urinary Fistula Repair

1. Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that  surgery is advisable. A private surgeon can also confirm the diagnosis if needed.
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2. Research.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
   • We recommend booking 2 - 4 consultations with different surgeons to better understand your options.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical (and non-surgical) options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.

Urinary fistula repair recovery can feel like a process because the whole point is to let a delicate “seal” heal without stress. Everyone heals differently, follow your surgeon’s instructions.

First few days (Days 1–3)

What it feels like

• Soreness where the repair was done (vaginal area, lower abdomen, or both)
• Tiredness and grogginess from anesthesia
• You’ll usually have a catheter draining urine
• Bladder spasms or crampy feelings can happen

Main goals

• Control pain and swelling
• Keep urine draining easily through the catheter
• Protect the repair by avoiding strain and pressure

Typical activities

• Short, gentle walks a few times a day
• Resting, changing positions slowly
• Keeping the area clean and dry as instructed

Days 4–14

What it feels like

• Soreness should slowly settle
• You might feel “pressure” or discomfort with sitting, depending on the approach
• You may still notice some leakage early on, but your team will tell you what’s expected

Main goals

• Prevent constipation and straining
• Take good care of the catheter so it doesn’t tug or block
• Follow activity limits exactly

Typical activities

• Light daily tasks; quiet school/desk work if you feel up to it
• No heavy lifting, intense exercise, or anything that increases pelvic pressure
• Usually showers are fine once cleared; often no baths/hot tubs at first

Weeks 2–8

What happens

• Many patients have a follow‑up visit and sometimes a test to confirm the repair is sealed (your surgeon decides what’s needed)
• Catheter removal timing varies by fistula type and repair method

Main goals

• Confirm the repair is holding
• Gradually return to more normal routines without rushing

Red flags — call your team or go to urgent care

• Fever or chills, or feeling very unwell
• Catheter not draining, new severe bladder pressure, or sudden inability to pass urine
• Worsening redness, swelling, bad‑smelling drainage, or opening at the incision
• Heavy bleeding
• New chest pain, shortness of breath, or painful swollen calf

Costs for urinary fistula repair vary a lot because “fistula” can mean different connections (bladder‑to‑vagina, ureter‑to‑vagina, bladder‑to‑skin, etc.), and some repairs need tissue flaps or more than one surgical team. Always request a written, itemized quote.

In Canada, private clinics typically charge: $5,000–$25,000+

Complex cases (prior radiation, multiple fistulas, need for combined abdominal + vaginal approach, or longer OR time) can be higher.

How much does it cost in the United States (average)?

In the U.S., you can expect to pay between CA$5,800–CA$30,00+

What’s usually included in the cost?

Most private packages typically include:

• Surgeon fee (sometimes includes a co‑surgeon if planned)
• Anaesthesia and monitoring
• Facility/OR fees and nursing care
• Standard surgical supplies
• Immediate post‑procedure recovery care
• At least one routine follow‑up visit to check healing and review early results

What’s often not included?

• Pre‑op tests done outside the clinic (urine culture, bloodwork, ECG, imaging like CT/MRI)
• Extra specialist fees if needed (for example gynecology, colorectal, plastics)
• Unplanned extra OR time, unexpected complexity, or an unplanned hospital admission/overnight stay
• Prescriptions after surgery (pain meds, antibiotics)
• Catheter supplies at home (if not provided)
• Follow‑up imaging/tests to confirm closure (sometimes separate)
• Travel and accommodation (out‑of‑province/state)

Tips before you commit

• Ask if the quote includes: cystoscopy during surgery, ureteral stents (if needed), catheter removal visit, and confirmation testing.
• Get the exclusions in writing so there are no surprises.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the biggest benefits of going private. Urinary fistula repair is a “precision” surgery, so the goal is to find a team that does these repairs often, plans carefully, and has strong follow‑up.

What to look for

Experience and volume

• Ask how many urinary fistula repairs the surgeon does each year (not just general urology surgeries).
• Ask what types they commonly repair (for example: vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal, urethrovaginal, bladder‑to‑skin).
• Higher volume usually means better judgement on approach, and fewer surprises in the operating room.

Credentials and training

• Verify licensure with your provincial college (CPSO, CPSBC, CPSA, CMQ, etc.).
• Look for an FRCSC‑certified urologist with reconstructive/pelvic experience.
• If your case is complex, ask if they work with a urogynecologist or other specialist.

Diagnosis and planning

A good clinic will confirm exactly where the leak is coming from before booking surgery. Ask if they use:

• Cystoscopy (camera in the bladder)
• Imaging (CT urogram, MRI, or contrast studies)
• Dye tests or exams to map the tract

Surgical approach and technique

Ask the surgeon to itemize the plan:

• Vaginal approach vs abdominal approach vs combined approach
• Whether they expect to use a tissue flap (extra layer of healthy tissue for support)
• Whether they plan to place ureteral stents or a suprapubic catheter
• What the “backup plan” is if they find more scar tissue than expected

Outcomes and safety

Ask for their recent numbers (last 12–24 months), such as:

• First‑attempt closure rate (success rate)
• Infection or readmission rates
• How often a second procedure is needed

Also ask how they reduce infection risk:

• Do they require a urine culture before surgery?
• Do they postpone surgery if infection is present?

Facility quality

• Confirm the centre is accredited (Accreditation Canada/CAAASF or provincial equivalent).
• Ask about sterile processing and emergency transfer agreements if a hospital stay becomes needed.

Aftercare coordination

You want a clinic that has a clear plan for:

• Catheter management (who removes it, when, and where)
• Confirmation testing to prove the fistula is closed
• How you contact the team after hours if something feels wrong

Costs and transparency

• Request a written, itemized quote.
• Ask what is included (anesthesia, facility fees, stents, catheter supplies, follow‑ups) and what could add cost (extra OR time, added specialists, overnight stay).

Questions to ask at your consultation

• How many fistula repairs do you do each year, and what types?
• Where exactly is my fistula, and what tests confirm that?
• Which approach do you recommend for me, and why?
• Will you use a tissue flap or stents? Are those included in the quote?
• What is your first‑attempt success rate for cases like mine?
• Who do I contact after surgery, and how quickly do you respond?

Signal of a high‑quality program: they confirm the fistula location, explain the plan in simple steps, share real outcomes, and give you an itemized quote with a clear follow‑up pathway.