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finding best urolift provider?

Posted , 12 users are following.

paul1844
paul1844

Hello guys, this forum has been useful to me as I think through my options.  Nothing's guaranteed, but urolift appears most least risky, for the time being anyway.  I'm joining the forum because the urology practice I've been seeing (here in Santa Cruz California) has just started doing the procedure.  As with any even minimally invasive procedure, experience counts and a track record is essential... and this is still a new treatment.  So I'm trying to figure out how to find the most experienced providers and how to assess their track record.  Not knowing my way around this world, I am tempted to just try to get into the Mayo clinic in Arizona, based on their general reputation... but it would be good to have some sense of the lay of the land...  So I would be grateful if anyone could point me to a resource that offers that sort of data (eg, number of procedures done over time, complaints, outcome data...?) or at least shared personal knowledge along those lines... thanks!

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • Rayluca10
    Rayluca10 paul1844

    Posted

    paul avoid these butchers as much as possible. i have heard plenty of horror stories with urolift.when im ready to go for a procedure im going to mayo clinic they are #1.my all means dont go to doctor who just starting doing urolift good luck.remember they cant make any money unless they do a procedure.
  • JerseyUrology
    JerseyUrology paul1844

    Posted

    It's not a perfect indicator, but if you go to the urolift website (you can't put links here), you can click on "find a physician"; choose one that is part of a "Center of Excellence", meaning that they have very high volumes and meet certain quality parameters.

    • Rayluca10
      Rayluca10 JerseyUrology

      Posted

      Could you please tell me I had to go for cystoscope the nurse and doctor made it extremely uncomfortable I mean brutal pain I need another one can you be put under for this procedure? I'm willing to pay if insurance don't cover

    • BobbyT
      BobbyT Rayluca10

      Posted

      Where are you located?  Yes, just like a colonoscopy they can give you a fast acting anesthetic like propofol or versed. At least some valium. You will be semi conscious, not remember any pain and will wake up pretty quickly. Somebody would have to drive you home.
    • JerseyUrology
      JerseyUrology Rayluca10

      Posted

      Absolutely you can have anesthesia for a cystoscopy; there's no reason why the insurance wouldn't cover that. No reason to have it done awake unless you want it that way.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Rayluca10

      Posted

      Did they use any numbing gel in the penis.  That what they use when they check my stricture.  ken
    • jimjames
      jimjames Rayluca10

      Posted

      Hi Ray,

      Curious if you know if they used a flexible or rigid cystoscope? A rigid is barbaric without being put to sleep, and I know that first hand! Most people tolerate the flexible very well, but many doctors offer the option to be put under, although it may require doing it in the hospital. I forgot if I had medicare or not when I was offered that option, but I assume it's covered if the doctor wants to do it that way. 

      Jim

    • jimjames
      jimjames JerseyUrology

      Posted

      Hi JerseyUro,

      Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but your answer sounded like you normally do flexible cystoscopies under anethsia, or are you just saying that it's a patient option? My understanding is that they are normally only done with a numbing agent, and most people tolerate them very well.

      Jim 

    • JerseyUrology
      JerseyUrology jimjames

      Posted

      Flexible cystoscopy usually isn't too bad, and we will often do awake.

      For men who do not wish to be awake, we use anesthesia.

    • jimjames
      jimjames JerseyUrology

      Posted

      JerseyUro,

      Curious about how long a flex cystoscopy usually takes. Not the prep, numbing, etc, but about how long it takes from the time you enter the urethra until you pull the scope out?

      I was awake for my flexible investigating bladder cancer, and the doctor seemed in and out in just a couple of minutes. And he not only had to check out my bladder but a large diverticulum as well, and hopefully look for strictures and prostate architecture such as  medican lobe as I had requested.  

      Also, if I remember correctly, there was a large video screen he looked at. Are these procedures generally recorded and saved, so they can be reviewed at a future time, as for example in getting a second opinion? 

      Jim

    • JerseyUrology
      JerseyUrology jimjames

      Posted

      The procedure generally takes around 1 minute for someone who is experienced. They are not generally recorded.
    • jimjames
      jimjames JerseyUrology

      Posted

      @JerseyUro "The procedure generally takes around 1 minute for someone who is experienced."

      -------------------

      Well, I guess he was "experienced" smile He was in and out and out of the room so fast that by the time I got my list of questions out of my pocket he was out of the room and with another patient!

      Jim

  • jimjames
    jimjames paul1844

    Posted

    We have some threads here dedicated to Urolift. You might find some useful information as to providers and outcomes there.

    Jim

  • MichaelVM7
    MichaelVM7 paul1844

    Posted

    Paul

    If you don't mind, what factors are leading you to consider Urolift?

    Would you be willing to share more, such as your prostate size, IPSS, symptoms, etc.?

    This forum has a lot of information. In fact, I never heard of PAE, FLA or Urolift until coming here.

    Wish you all the best. Glean wisdom from the men here who've been through the battle.

    Michael

  • BobbyT
    BobbyT paul1844

    Posted

    I participated in the iTind study in the USA with great results. It is made by Medi-tate and is available in Europe and hopefully soon oin the USA. It is gentle and presents the fewest side effects or bad outcomes. The results were immediate with almost no healing time because there was little damage to the surrounding tissue. Best of all the implant stayed inside of me for 6 days and was removed. All pretty painlessly. Google their website.
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