ACTUAL recovery time for Aquablation

Randy, as a runner, what have you learned as to whether aquablation will affect your ability to run long term? I seem to recall reading some commentary from other folks that they felt too much urgency after a prostate operation (not necessarily aquablation) to run comfortably (don't remember the timeframe). I'm also asking based on what you've heard here or from other people you've spoken to?

Are you expecting no residual effects that would affect being able to run?

What time frame are you expecting that?

Did you learn whether other procedures faired worse in that regard (TURP for example) and choose this one specifically to maintain this afterwards?

Thanks!

So I am finally scheduled for my aquablation next Monday the 22nd. My doctor is initially telling me that he thinks I can be back to running in 2 weeks. I will update after the procedure. Any last suggestions for the week leading up to the surgery? He is planning on discharging me with the catheter and removing it 3 days post procedure.

Start with are high fiber diet days before the procedure. Constipation will be an issue.

Buy a bottle of OTC Senna to help with constipationto

Try to get your doctor to have you to stay in the hospital for an extra day so the staff can flush out as much as possible. My doctor convinced the insurance that he required it.

Ask your doctor for pain meds , maybe a dozen, like Vicodin or Percocet. You and your doctor have no idea what pain you might encounter. Be prepare ahead of the game. Calling for real meds later when your doctor is not available is not smart.

Buy waterproof bedliners for the first few days also Depends men short briefs. Amazon has it all.

Good luck.

I did have the procedure on 5/22/23 and have started a new thread with detailed information on the procedure and recovery https://patient.info/forums/discuss/aquablation-surgery-may-22-2023-800586, I will give most detailed information there and some high-level uodates here.

I've been researching this procedure for some time now. Dr Steve Kaplan seems to be the lead in my area at Mt Sinai in NYC. I live in NJ been through three doctors all of them say TURP thats the standard. The last doctor I went to disappointed me he didn't know of aquablation. On the next visit to him says that he would have to open me up and do a partial prostectomy. Nope! I think I want to keep away from him. Had two MRIs no cancer and many other tests. Been on all of the meds prostate is 150cc. Never had surgery before and am terrified. Already been probed enough and at times I saw stars! Researched my area and no one does this procedure near me. So I guess its time to make an appointment and go into NYC. Can't take too much time from work.

Well wish me luck!!! Need some words of encouragement!

I had Aquablation Tuesday 6-27-2023 at 1pm. My Doctor threw in a last minute caveat. He would finish up with TURP. I will ask in my follow up what he meant as I thought by Aquablation took care of entire problem. Couple things I learned: Tubes were inserted down my throat. Swollen lip. Catheter is uncomfortable but tolerable. Peed seven times after procedure with strong force. Urine is clearing with less blood (second day) Painful. Meds help. Got an erection this AM. That puppy is charged up. Ready to go! I have no idea how I'll it make a month. Its been 48 hours since procedure and I feel this is going to work out. I am looking forward to future.

Side note: I'm 60. Avid Peloton rider (6-10 hours a week). I am physically strong

Hi Randy,

I had the aquablation procedure just 6 days ago. I am 72 y/o in very good condition and a quick healer. I researched every possible solution before deciding on Aquablation. I had a large prostate (92mm) and tried various medications that had little impact. My local Uro knew very little about aquablation but I found a doc about90 minutes away that has been doing them for several years and is very well known in this field. It took me 2 months to get the first appointment. After that he put me through a battery of tests before agreeing I was a good candidate. Basically they want to rule out cancer, test your flow ability, and get a good view of the prostate and bladder. Did a complete blood work up, biopsy, plus MRI, EKG and chest x-ray. Some of these tests are pretty invasive including the cycstoscopy but they are over quickly and sound worse they really are.

So here is the aquablation summary so far:

1. Surgery on Monday- woke up in recovery with a catheter. Not much pain at all but tired, no energy. Surprised I had no pain but I was pretty drugged up
2. Spent Monday night in the hospital - NO SLEEP Vitals were fine. Lots of blood in the catheter. Put on a drip and flushed 21 liters of water in 2 days. Hoping to get the catheter out on Tuesday. Not much pain other than the catheter which is unpleasant at best. (did not take pain relief)
3. Tuesday still lots of blood and urine. Urine cleared up while on the drip line but got bloody when they took me off. Told this needs to get better before they will discharge me. Began experiencing bladder spasms. These are quite painful. It feels like the bladder is trying to push urine out through the catheter and you cannot stop it. Spasms last about 90 seconds and are caused by the catheter. I tried controlled breathing to slow them down but they have to run their course.
4. Discharged late Tuesday with the catheter. Was very careful about what I ate since I worried about constipation and had not had a bowel movement. Activities such as shaving or washing hands or trying to have a bowel movement that used to stimulate urinating now set off a spasm.
5. Wed (day 3) - spent in bed at home. Focused on high-fiber healthy diet and lots of water and finally had a bowel movement. Still plagued by spasms about every 3 hours. Other than that had very little pain. Urine began to clear up.
6. Thursday (day 4) - Very similar to Wed. Feeling good except for the catheter and spasms
7. Friday (day 5) - Catheter finally removed!!! I read lots of stories about how painful that would be but it was not too bad and I was finally free of it. Plus the spasms stopped. Feeling good. Had a celebratory beer with dinner. I worried about urinating without the catheter but it happened right away. There is some pain when urinating but it is bearable but I found I had little control over timing. If I got the urge, I had to go right away or have an accident. I wore a diaper to bed just in case. Urinating every 2 hours but flow seems much stronger than before the operation.
8. Saturday (today) - Feeling good. Still taking it easy. Drove for the first time. Still some pain and blood in urine but tolerable. I have to urinate about every 3 hours. Starting to do kegel exercises to strengthen my bladder and gain control. I am now able to hold off for a few minutes after getting the urge to urinate.

Expected recovery from here:

I was told to take it easy for the next 4-6 weeks. Complete healing takes about 6 weeks. No lifting weighs, no bike riding. My plan is to keep doing the kegels, start light swimming in 2-3 weeks, golf in 4 weeks. Was advised to hold off on sex for 5 weeks. I am sure I will completely regain control of my bladder and other functions and look forward to getting stronger every day. I have a follow up appointment in 3 months.

I am happy to keep this diary going if is of value.

Best of luck on your decision.

Doug

Happy Fourth of July Now starting my 9th day. Feeling good. Sporadic blood (a few drops) in the urine typically at the very end. Stream is stronger than it as been in years. Still having to go about every 2-3 hours. Very little pain. I no longer leak between times when I pee. This is a huge improvement over the last few years. I am up only one or two times a night. I do find that when I feel the need to urinate, I need to find a toilet pretty fast as I still don't have the strength to pull back for very long. Ricro33, how are you feeling. You had your procedure 1 day after me. Enjoy the holiday guys!