1. Community
  2. Men's health
  3. Prostate Problems

I am just about to have a HOLEP procedure

Posted , 15 users are following.

philip42830
philip42830

After suffering with BPH with the last 8 years, I have decided to have a HOLEP, I haven't confirmed with the surgeon, but I am 99% sure I will have it done. My symptoms are getting really bad, retention and unable to urinate at times. Would anyone who has had a HOLEP, about their experiences, it would really me to consider my options. thanks. Philip.

0 likes, 48 replies

48 Replies

Next
  • kenneth1955
    kenneth1955 philip42830

    Posted

    Philip  Please talk with Phil on here  He just had it done in Miami.  He has had a very bad way of it.  You should look into something less evasive.  Do you know what they do to the prostate when they do a Holep procedure.  They core it out.  It is like a orange.  They remove the inners and leave the skin.  Make sure it is your prostate and not your bladder before you do anything because if you remover the prostate your still going to have a problem  Good luck  Ken 
  • oldbuzzard
    oldbuzzard philip42830

    Posted

    Holep is very effective when an experienced surgeon performs it, but is usually overlkill. The recovery time is long, sometimes includes weeks or months of incontinence (almost always resolves, but its a messy time til it does). Holep almost guarantees a lifetime of dry ejaculations too. You might want to consider something like Rezum. In that vast majority of cases it works really well, requires no anesthesia, has only a 5-10% chance or Retro Ejaculations, has a much faster recovery an d almost no chance of anything terrible happening, which is never the case with a knife, laser and anesthesia.

    I would try that first - it will likely work effectively as well with less risk and a shorter recovery. And if by chance it doesn't, you can always have Holep done.

  • derek76
    derek76 philip42830

    Posted

    Forums attract ones with a post procedure problem. Those without problems don't seek out forums like this.

    I had a  successful GL in 2004 and when it regrew a Thulium/Holmium procedure in 2013 that is similar to Holep in 2013. UK patients seem to do better in a less commercial environment and in hospitals that specialise in a procedure. As the urologist who did my GL said before my next procedure:

    "For yourself both laser options should be OK.  The key will be that the team looking after you have the laser that they are happy with".

    Provided you do not have any bladder problems and your median lobe is not too big and they are  careful with the bladder neck., Go for it.. 

       

    • derek76
      derek76 philip42830

      Posted

      Nor was mine and I had a team who were always mindful of avoiding the bladder neck.
  • Bruno59
    Bruno59 philip42830

    Posted

    I had HOLEP done one 14 month ago in Mexico with a good result.

    Positives of HOLEP from my experience are:

    quick recovery

    no incontinence or impotence

    lasting result

    sample for cancer testing

    negative is only one, dry ejaculation. This is overrated, and is not a problem.

    In my case, the procedure helped me twice. My BPH is resolved, and cancer which was detected in the removed tissue was removed by the procedure.

    Since the procedure, I don't need any medication for BPH.

    My PSA level has dropped to 0.4.

    Another method worth exploring is a FLA.

    Check my other posts for more details of my experience with HOLEP

    • philip42830
      philip42830 Bruno59

      Posted

      Thanks Bruno. I am not worried about the dry ejaculation, I just want to be able to get rid of the BPH symptoms for good. Thanks again, Philip.
    • tpinhou
      tpinhou philip42830

      Posted

      Phillip,

      I am also considering laser surgery for BPH.  I have researched them thoroughly and I am opting for the Green light laser.  From research I have read, I think they are about equal and have fewer potential risks than the TURP. I'm 64 and have a severely distended (stretched) bladder.  I have had a small pee stream for more than a year and urgency and frequency finally prompted me to go to a  Urologist. Due to surgery schedules, I am unable to have my surgery for another month.  In the mean time, I have opted for self-catherization to empty my bladder myself.  I had never done this and never consider it. However, I have found it to be relatively easy. It is slightly uncomfortable pushing through the prostate tissue crowding my urethra but really not that bad. And I DON'T have a high pain tolerance. I don't want to take any of the medications because of the side effects and the expense. When I do the self cath'ing, I pee into a container my Uro gave me so I know how much is in my bladder.  I started off on June 15 doing the self cath'ing after my cystoscopy and urodynamic procedures revealed I was holding 4 litres of pee in my bladder.  Shocked, I decided to start emptying it myself.  It has been such a major relief to not have ANY of the urgency or frequency issues. My Uro said I need to keep no more than a half litre (500 ml) in my bladder to support my bladder contracting  back to a reasonable size.  Anyway, sorry to give the whole story but my point is this.  If the urgency and frequency are enough of a bother to you before your surgery, I recommend trying self catherizing.  I know it sound bad but believe me, it's not nearly as bad as having those symptoms all the time.  I use the Bard intermittent red rubber catheter.  I have found it to be 30 to 40% more comfortable to use than the clear plastic ones. I guess because its softer and more pliable. I cath twice a day in the shower and just consider it another routine of the day. Ask your Urologist about it. 

      And good luck with you laser procedure.  I'll update this post later as I progress towards mine.

       

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 tpinhou

      Posted

      Tpinhou.  Can you answer a question.  Being that you are doing CIC and it is helping you with your problem   Would you consider not having any surgery because of the side effect.  Just put it off for a few years.  You may be able to help your bladder get better like Jim did.  I think anything is better than having your prostate cut out and causing you more problem to deal with.  Good luck Ken
    • breeze61
      breeze61 Bruno59

      Posted

      Hi Bruno,

      I just wrote to phil with a list of improvements and I forgot one of the main advantages in that cancer can  be autopside and as you say, the removel of a lot of tissue would remove any cancer.

    • breeze61
      breeze61 tpinhou

      Posted

      TP, I admire you and others on here who started self cathing, I had a Holep and was in a bad way for a few months before and even though I bought some catheters, I didn't have the guts to use them,. So hats off to you and the others.

      Good luck and hope yours ends up as good as mine although I did have urgency for a few weeks so had to be careful when going out shopping etc and not drink to much for an hour or so before and make sure you pee at every opportunity. Having said that I never had any  accidents outside but came unstuck in the house several times with urine spurting on the bathroom floor. But in the scheme of things it was small fry compared to how normal I am now.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.