Aquablation 3/2
Posted , 7 users are following.
I underwent Aquablation “Therapy” on Thursday 3/2. This board has been an excellent source of information about the recovery phase and what I might expect. I’m writing this at one week post procedure.
I’m in my early 60’s and my prostate volume was about 120 ml. My PSA was 7 at last check. My Urologist attributed it to the size of my prostate, but to be sure he ordered an Exosome test. Results indicated no concern of cancer. The pathology of the material removed during the procedure confirmed.
Pre-op consisted of exams, stop anything blood thinning 7 days before, nothing to eat or drink starting at midnight before the surgery. No special bowel prep.
I went in for the procedure at 11:30 and woke up in recovery around 1:30. Pain management was effective. They used a combo of Tylenol 1000mg every six hours plus another pill which I don’t recall the name of. Spent night in the hospital while they flushed everything out. This included running a couple of small bags of antibiotics through my IV overnight. Surgeon visited about 6 am and said color coming out of the catheter was looking good and disconnected the flush.
I was discharged early Friday afternoon with the catheter still in. The catheter was uncomfortable, but not painful. Continued with the 1000mg of Tylenol every six hours through Saturday and backed off to 500 mg every 6 on Sunday. I also had a prescription for an oral antibiotic to take for a week. By this time, Urine still had tinge of blood, but was looking normal in the tube going to the bag.
Monday morning, with permission from my surgeon, I took catheter out myself. Snip the tube holding the water in the catheter balloon to deflate it and then gently tug that thing out. Did this in the shower to contain the mess. So, the catheter was in for almost four days. I was happy to say goodbye to that thing.
Since Monday morning I have a decent flow, but with significant pain from prostate to tip of penis for 2-5 minutes afterword. I’m currently taking 500 mg of Tylenol three times a day which keeps the rest of the discomfort under good control. Small amount of blood at beginning of stream (sometimes with one or two small clot looking chunks) but running clear after that. No problems with incontinence. I do have urgency, but I have a few minutes of warning, so I’ve not had any issues making it to the toilet. As far as overnight goes it’s been a mixed bag - had one night where I only got up once and the others were three or four times.
2 likes, 13 replies
blair37744 bri20306
Posted
Thank you for posting. I will be following your updates. I'll likely be having aquablation in May if my upcoming tests indicate that it would be appropriate. I'm very interested in hearing about your experience.
jonathan00596 bri20306
Edited
Hi bri20306,
Thanks for sharing your experience (so far) with us. I go for my Aquablation on March 23rd, just two weeks from today (in Philadelphia). Hearing your and other's ranges of experiences helps me to set range of expectations.
Do you mind sharing where you had yours done?
Hoping that you'll start to feel significantly better by the 2-3 week mark (as seems to be a general range for some), and that you'll continue to let us know how things are progressing.
Thanks again, and hoping that you heal fast!
blair37744 jonathan00596
Edited
Please post about your experience as it happens. I'm very interested in personal experiences with aquablation before i commit to having it done.
bri20306 jonathan00596
Edited
The procedure was done at Northwest Hospital outside of Baltimore. The staff and providers at Northwest and Chesapeake Urology have been excellent.
michael91648 bri20306
Posted
Hi Had Aquablation on March 3. Stayed 2 nights in hospital for irrigation for 48 hours straight. I have a lot of bleeding. My prostate was 157cc. Dr. wanted me to stay another day but I talked him into letting me go home. Catheter stayed in for 5 days. Dr. removed catheter and I was able to void bladder. Pain was never bad for me just a lot of blood coming out when I pee. It is now day 8 and I still have a lot of blood. First 2 nights home without catheter had to pee every hour did not get any sleep. Night 7 was better was able to sleep a bit as I got up to pee every 2 hours. My biggest worry is the amount of blood I am peeing but today I think it was less.
blair37744 michael91648
Posted
Please start a new discussion to keep us informed about your recovery experience.
bri20306
Posted
Two weeks since the procedure. Stream is OK, but nothing like it was the day I took the catheter out. For the most part visible blood stopped on day 8, but I had a set back on pain about that same time. Quick response from Urology to test for infection (negative) and an update to my pain meds. Transitioned to 600mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Helped significantly and in the last couple of days I’ve backed down to 200mg every 8 hours. Frequency and urgency have not improved. Had post surgery check up with the Doctor at day 12. Be patient he says. Pain will continue to subside. Expect there to be occasional blood in urine and my stream will improve along with reduce frequency and urgency by/around the 4 – 6 week mark. Lifted any restrictions (including sex), but cautioned to resume activities gradually so as not to over do it the next couple of weeks.
compiler bri20306
Posted
Very detail. Does the pain get worse or you feel better after you removed the catheter 4 days after the procedure?
bri20306 compiler
Posted
The catheter was uncomfortable. That three way Folly is on the large side. I was not feeling any significant pain since I was still taking Tylenol four times a day. Once the catheter was out I did experience an increase in pain _ the burning kind in my prostate and penis. But three Tylenol a day kept it under control for the first couple of days. After that my pain started increasing rapidly and I ended up in the doctors office. No infection. Apparently I just was trying to wean myself off the pain meds a little too quickly. I'm writing this on day 18 and I'm still having enough discomfort that I'm taking 200mg of ibuprofen twice a day.
compiler bri20306
Posted
How is the blood, light or go away?
bri20306 compiler
Posted
Blood has for the most part gone away. After a brisk walk earlier in the week I had a little, but I walk most every day and have not had any the last couple.
bri20306
Posted
Three weeks since procedure. Have been able to stop all pain meds at this point but still have mild pain when urinating. Stream is acceptable. Frequency has been improving and I’ve been able to sleep through the night that last couple of nights. During the day it varies between needing to go every 30 minutes to 2 hours. I think this is starting to be a function of what and how muck I’m drinking. Urgency is improved as well but it varies through out the day. Sometimes I can make it 30 minutes after feeling the urge and sometimes only 5 – 10. Generally, no visible blood at this point. However, if I go for a brisk walk, I do get an up tick in pain and sometime a little blood at the beginning of the stream. No running yet, but I’m back at the gym a couple days a week. Doing about half the weight I was doing before the surgery – have not noticed it causing any issues. Have not tried sex yet. Would like to get past the pain first. Hope to be able to report all systems go next week.
bri20306
Posted
Four-week update. No sooner had I posted the above and I started having some tissue/clots in my urine with some small amount of blood. This continued for less than a day, but for three days after my urine was darker than normal. No pain with urination and my color is back to normal. No change in my stream strength with the tissue passing. Unfortunately, urgency has taken step backward. The need to urinate comes on quickly and is sometimes extremely urgent. My urologist lifted all restrictions at the two-week mark. Had sex (about the three and a half week point) and everything functioned. However, ejaculation was moderately painful. Felt it in my prostate. Although the pain passed quickly, I’ll give it another week before my next attempt.