After having a kidney stone removed, I started having trouble urinating and dealing with constant pain. On top of that, I also manage diabetes, hypothyroidism, and high cholesterol. My doctor referred me to both a kidney specialist and a urologist to figure out what was going on.

I went through several tests, and they found a blockage in my urethra. Doctors tried a balloon procedure to fix it, but it didn’t work, and my symptoms came back. My kidney function was still okay, but my specialist suggested surgery to rebuild my urethra. I even thought about getting treatment abroad to speed things up.I had three big questions:

• Was surgery really the best option?
• Were there other treatments I should consider?
• How quickly did I need treatment?

I called the HIS line to get a Medical Second Opinion (MSO). After a brief  intake, I was assigned a Nurse Case Manager who reviewed my case and medical history  in detail. The Medical Director agreed that my condition was serious enough for a second opinion.

Within a month of my initial request, the MSO Specialist provided a detailed report reviewing my treatment plan. He confirmed that surgery was the best long-term solution and outlined six different surgical options based on my situation. He also recommended additional tests to help my surgeon choose the best approach.

While surgery wasn’t urgent, he suggested I get a nephrostomy tube right away to relieve pressure on my kidneys and allow time for planning. He even recommended a surgeon at a nearby hospital who might have shorter wait times. The MSO Specialist included four references from medical literature to support his opinion.

I reviewed the report with my urologist and adjusted my treatment plan. Within a few weeks, I had the nephrostomy tube placed and completed more tests to refine the surgical plan. Now, I’m waiting for my next appointment to finalize the next steps.

Getting a second opinion helped me feel confident in my treatment and gave me more control over my health.