For patients and families
Start here.
Understand the problem, gather records, review from a distance when possible, travel only if an operation is planned, and plan follow-up.
01 / Understand
Find your condition
- Ureteral stricture
- UPJ obstruction
- Urethral stricture
- Posterior urethra and pelvic fracture
- Urinary fistula
- Bladder neck contracture
- Urinary diversion problems
- Transplant ureter
Is this the right practice for my problem?
Dr. Zhao is a reconstructive urologic surgeon. His practice is focused on surgical reconstruction of the urinary tract, especially complex ureteral, urethral, bladder, fistula, and urinary diversion problems. He does not provide general urology care and generally does not treat conditions that do not require surgery or complex reconstruction. Many non-surgical issues are best managed by your local urologist, primary care doctor, or, for infection-related questions, an infectious disease specialist.
02 / Records
Gather your records
The most useful items are:
- Imaging: CT urogram, MRI, retrograde/antegrade studies, or ultrasounds. The actual images matter, not just the reports; for many patients, asking the imaging center for CDs is still the simplest way to get a complete copy.
- Operative notes from any prior urinary-tract surgeries.
- Procedure and cystoscopy reports, including stent or tube changes.
- A brief timeline of your symptoms and treatments, plus recent kidney-function labs.
Having these ready before your first call makes the review more useful. Contact the office and speak with the scheduling team about the best way to submit records for your case.
From the patient FAQ: What records should I gather before reaching out?
03 / Review
Most new patients do not start in clinic
All appointments and surgery are scheduled through NYU Langone Health. Sending your records first helps the team review your case before you visit.
04 / Travel
Come to New York only if an operation is planned
A significant share of this reconstructive practice comes from out of state and from other countries. The usual path is records first, then a conversation, then travel only if an operation is planned.
05 / After
Follow-up after reconstruction
Most traveling patients need planned follow-up after reconstruction, often including some follow-up imaging. After the immediate post-operative period, many patients do not need to return to New York in person unless the team specifically recommends it.
From the patient FAQ: Will I need to keep coming back to New York after surgery?
This is a personal educational website by Lee C. Zhao, MD, MS. Content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Viewing this content does not create a physician-patient relationship. Not affiliated with NYU Langone Health.