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Happy with my TURP

Posted , 9 users are following.

jim1494
jim1494

I am a 66 year old white guy in Houston, Texas.  I have had BPH issues as long as I can remember.  However, about a year ago, it got to the point that sometimes at night I wasn't sure I would even be able to pee at all.  I was in constant fear of sooner or later having to go to the ER to be catherized. 

?I was hoping to have the Urolift procedure as it claims to have good long lasting results with no diminished sexual issues.  However, my BPH was primarily an enlarged middle lobe which ruled out the Urolift procedure.  The reason being the colon is directly behind the middle lobe, so there is a risk of puncturing the colon with the Urolift stables.

?I was primarily looking for good long lasting results.  The TURP procedure is the gold standard and at this point in my life, the expected loss of some sexual satisfaction was secondary to good urinary function.

?I had the procedure done in early January.  Two months later, I can report I am able to urinate easily and forcefully.  The stream starts easily and doesn't quit until my bladder is empty.  I also can hold it longer without discomfort or urgency and I don't have to get up at night nearly as often.  And surprisingly, I don't seem to have retrograde ejaculation.  I've had no problems with getting an erection (never did) and while the orgasm isn't quite as toe curling as before, it is still quite acceptable.

All in all, it was a very positive experience for me.

 

2 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • ian57943
    ian57943 jim1494

    Posted

    Hi Jim, thanks for sharing such a positive experience. I am in a limbo at present having a catheter insert 3 times in A&E (ER), as a side effect of a template biopsy that has swollen my very large (>100cc) prostrate. I am scheduled for HoLEP sometime but am investigating the PAE option.

    Ian

    • gbhall
      gbhall ian57943

      Posted

      You need to establish carefully what your options are. Results of PAE can be good but you need faith in your radiologist because the veins to the prostate which could be blocked are pretty variable. Someone reported very recently that on the point of proceding, it was discovered the vein selected also fed the bladder. That could have been bad, very bad.

      Laser options tend to be prone to spray high energy around with less than ideal control, standard TURP is bloody and has a long recovery with sexual side effects. Pinning the lobes back does nothing to stop the prostate carrying on growing, and is unsuitable with a central lobe, or even an exceptionally large prostate.

      By and large, a Turp suits best, especially the latest, highly controllable

      versions such as bi-polar, button-, ejaculation-preserving, and whatever else their is coming soon.

  • oldbuzzard
    oldbuzzard jim1494

    Posted

    I'm glad that you had such a positive experience...but am saddened that in Houston that a urologist is still recommending and doing TURP as a first line treatment for BPH. Most people end up with RE, many with reduced or no sexual function and the recovery can be long - and then there is the standard risk of anesthesia. Chances are Rezum would have given you the same benefits with a quicker recovery and much less risk.

    Your outcome was ideal and I'm really happy for you - but my guess is that fewer than 5% of TURP surgeries end up this well. 

    • jim1494
      jim1494 oldbuzzard

      Posted

      It was actually my decision to go with TURP. My uro does many procedures and we did discuss those, but from what I'd read TURP had the best long term results. Yes, I consider myself fortunate with the outcome.

    • gbhall
      gbhall oldbuzzard

      Posted

      Nobody over 65 or so should have a general anaesthetic for anything below the waist.

      I'm 73 and opted for spinal which was not very painful, even though they took 10 minutes to find a place to get through....I also asked for twightlight sedation expecting to be able to watch or chat, but actually remember nothing.

      One other thing about a spinal over full anaesthesia is when you are in recovery you still feel nothing for quite a while, but with a full one the post operative pain starts right away - or so I am told.

  • kenneth1955
    kenneth1955 jim1494

    Posted

    Hey Jim.  I am happy that you had a good out come with a Turp.  You are the one that would have to deal with the out come. But with the Urolift they can do the middle lobe.  My urologist does it all the the he just pins it to one side out of the bladder.  I think they told you that so you would have the turp. Take care and I hope all stays well  Ken 
    • jim1494
      jim1494 kenneth1955

      Posted

      My urologist also does Urolift and has had good results with it. He said to try Urolift ... neither he nor I would be happy with the results. I had read that some urologists do the Urolift on the middle lobe but we weren't willing to take the risk. Glad to know it can be done.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 jim1494

      Posted

      How would you know if you would have been happy with it.  It could have done the job. I'm glad the the turp did good for you but it could have gone the other way.  You have men on here that have had turps and they are still leaking and have to wear pads.  You were lucky  Take care  Ken 

  • rick47445
    rick47445 jim1494

    Posted

    Jim, how long did it take to completely heal from the turp procedure? I had mine almost 3 months ago and still am dealing with frequency and urgency during the day time. only wake up one time during the night. Good to hear about your great results.
    • jim1494
      jim1494 rick47445

      Posted

      After two weeks I could see a definite improvement.  After 6 weeks even better.
  • joe78408
    joe78408 jim1494

    Posted

    Jim,

    I too had TURP 11/08/16 and had great results.  Glad to hear that your experience with turp.  I know there are many other options.  I am so glad I went with TURP.  I'm 70 yrs old, sleep through the night and sex is wonderful again.  What more can a guy ask for.  I'm in Cleburne Tx. about 300 miles north of you.

    • jim1494
      jim1494 joe78408

      Posted

      Excellent, Joe.   Glad to hear this.  I was beginning think my experience was an anomaly.
  • frank74205
    frank74205 jim1494

    Posted

    Hi ,Thanks for your info on Turp. Did you have complete urine retention? I do ,they said i have a 50 or 60 % chance to have a natural void after surgery. Did they tell you that also?

    Thanks for reply.

    frank

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 frank74205

      Posted

      Frank  Please don't.  You know that everyone heal different.  Your doing ok with CIC why ask for trouble.  Ken  PS  Them are not good odd

    • oldbuzzard
      oldbuzzard frank74205

      Posted

      Hi Frank,

      TURP should be a last resort. Please look into all of the less invasive procedures before considering it. And make sure you have a thorough diagnosis before having anything done. "You can't pee so you should have a procedure" is the wrong answer - particularly if that procedure is TURP. Yes, some, even many do well, but there are less invasive procedures, with faster recovery, no anesthesia and fewer side effects to try that will probably help - IF you are properly diagnosed with BPH

    • jim1494
      jim1494 frank74205

      Posted

      I actually seldom had any retention. My symptoms were frequency, urgency, and difficulty urinating.
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