HoLEP-- Need some input on this procedure

HoLEP is a type of laser.  I had laser TURP on Dec. 4, 2016.  I recommend getting the surgery if you are dealing with long-term prostate problems.  I didn't want to take tamulosin the rest of my life.  Even with the tamulosin, my urine stream was weak.  The main thing is to rest after the surgery and don't lift or strain for at least six weeks.  Look at it this way.  You'll be under anesthesia, won't know what's happened until you wake up, have a catheter for a few days, then live many years with the stream of a 21 year old!  Get fixed.

Green Light is also laser which I had 4 years ago. They also told me that recovery would be 6 weeks. It took 8 months with a lot of blood loss, 3 years later trauma from an auto accident caused retention to reccur plus tissue had grown back in the prostate. They now wanted me to undergo TURP but I said no and wore a Foley catheter for 8 months until my symptoms returned to about 75 percent of normal.

Hi James - I too am a great believer in this procedure. I had several years of gradually reduced flow due to an enlarged prostate, and was offered a TURP procedure at the start of those problems, which I turned down. From reading reports on this website, I'm so glad I did. But eventually after taking Saw Palmeto remedies to shrink prostate, then Tamsulosin via my doctor, and Finasteride from the consultant, I ended up with complete urine retention (very painful), then a catheter inserted at hospital emergency for 3 weeks. After negotiating with insurers, a planned HoLEP was recommended by a new urologist, went to his preferred consultant. All went very smoothly, two nights stay, 3 days catheter, then that was removed and all functioned 'like a 21 year old'. Ask your consultant about the benefits, less bleeding, urine just a bit pink for two or three weeks and a little tenderness down there, but then it's all good. Ask him to explain RE - it's not a big deal for me, but in most respects things work fine after the first few weeks.

Hope you have a very positive result, and join the club! There are several newer procedures, but my received advice was to go with HoLEP which is proven and has excellent results.

there are less invasive procedures to see if you are a candidate for. A few on the forum have had REzum recently - too recently to guage results. Also PAE does pretty much the same thing in an even less invasive way. Urolift has worked for a lot of guys. Holep will leave you with Retro ejaculation and has a long recovery. IF you can wait to see how REzum and PAE work out for people on this forum, I'd suggest it. The outcome with lasers isn't always good - although lots of guys on this forum have had good results. 

I too had HoLEP. Only one night in. Not much bleeding, but micro-haematuria for a few weeks and lekocytes fo 15 months. Neither any trouble, just longer than the urologist had led me to expect.

I was fine to walk several miles the next day.

Urine flow was good, and no need for tamsulosin any more.

I few nights without needing to get up, but generally I get up at least once (it used to be 2 - 4 times) and no retention (it had got as high as 1L) now.

So I agree this seems the best way to deal with the problem.

James, I can't say much more than has already been said on the HoLEP procedure other than to say I found it the answer to my particular prayer.

I'd been down the usual route of Tamsulosin, Saw Palmetto and Dutesteride, was offered a TURP then Green Light Laser but held out for what I believe is the best "rebore" procedure available.

Procedure was done and dusted in under 90 minutes using a spinal block anaesthesia and was home 20 hours later without a catheter.

Limited bleeding and now peeing like an 18 year old.

Good luck.

I had HoLEP last January and am very pleased with the result.  Having followed this blog since then, I'm convinced HoLEP is the best answer for BPH.  It's very different from TURP, which burns the tissue out to make a bigger passage.  The need for a repeat procedure is higher with TURP.  HoLEP cuts the tissue, which is then 'morecelated' (ground up) and flushed out.  My prostate was 85 grams; now it's 46.  Plus, they biopsy the tissue for cancer which can't be done with TURP.  Was in the hospital for less than 24 hrs.

James what ever you decide you have to deal with the side effect and the treatment.  It seam to me all the doctors have told you about is Turp and Holep.  Both take a lontg time to heal and you may lose alot of blood.  This will alo give you retro ejaculation.  Have you ever had it.  They tell you there is no diffrece bt there is.  And how does the doctor know does he have it.  I had retro with a pill that I was on.  Got off that quick.  Had a urolift done a year ago and still going strong.  And my orgasm are more intence they when I was younger.  Why should you give up anything if you can have something else that will work the same.   To me it looked like the doctors that you saw were pushing a Turp or a Helop.  Maybe thats all they know   Looked into a urolift or a PAE.  before you have anything done.  Take care and good bless  Ken