I am trying to find a doctor for greenlight

"It made me rethink seriously whether or not I would have any procedure, let alone GL."

And you are probably wise to think that way.

Where is Kenneth  our prophet of doom on all prostate procedures ? We have not heard from  since Irma. As he lives in Orlando I hope he is OK.

Alan, you are my man. 😀Hank

There are clearly times when a procedure is warranted.  You don't want to damage the bladder or kidneys because of the excessive pressure causes by high level retention.  Even though my new urologist stopped doing and stopped teaching the use of GreenLight laser, I assume there are some doctors who are well trained, do a lot of GL, and know when to use it and when not to.  I was told that it's more appropriate for really large prostates.

On the initial visit to the doctor who did my GL, he mentioned several procedures they did including cold knife TURP and GL.  TURP was scheduled and I had done some research, watched videos of surgeries including one of the GL procedure, made I believe, by the company that sells the equipment.  It looked good "on paper" and in the video, so I call my doctor's office and asked if I could have the GL.  A few days later, his nurse called back and said yes, he will do that so it was scheduled.

After I had GL and came in for the followup, I was totally incontinent.  The doctor said to me that the GL was "too powerful" for me and that he had almost said no to my request for it.  I was aghast, and said, "I could have accepted ":no" if you thought it was the wrong procedure for me."   He walked out of the room without saying anything else.  I suspect now that he was not well trained, or had not done many GL procedures, but I have no way of knowing that for sure.

Anyone having GL, or any procedure done should ask a lot of questions., including

1.  How many of these procedures have you done?

2.  How many do you do each year.

3.  How many have you done in the last two months?

4.  What was the worst outcome you've had and why did it happen?

Thanks Glenn. I am currently on meds and self cath before bedtime for my retention, to protect my kidneys and to sleep longer. I am looking for a procedure, carefully because there is no rush. I was leaning toward FLA until someone just came out and said it did not work for him. 😥 Hank

Hi Hank. I hadn't heard of anyone having an unsuccessful FLA yet. I'd like to read his post if you know his forum name. Thanks- Jay

Just a short comment to add to my post last night.  My current urologist, who is the one who will no longer do or teach the GL procedure, gave this explanation about how GL (PVP) works.  He said that the green light generated by the laser must interact with red blood in order to oblate prostate material.  That explains to me the extremely ragged and inflamed area of the prostate I was able to get a glimpse of during the cystoscopy 6 weeks following my failed GL procedure. (The doctor had the CRT screen above my head where he could see it, but not an easy place for the patient to see it without breaking your neck.)  As water was flowing and bubbling, it looked like a mass of little roots hanging from the walls of the prostate where the GL had been applied.  The walls were inflamed in addition.

I found this informative link about the GL procedure.  There are generations of the GL, as changes and improvements have been made.  I had no information about this when I had my GL procedure.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22018158

The laser in good hands should leave a smooth surface without what someone once described as hanging curtains. Demonstration Youtube videos of the procedure make a point of showing the surgeon smoothing the surface.

One of the UK's top two Uros told me at a consultation that initially we thought it was a simple procedure then we learnt that we had take more time with it. I would seem that some have yet to learn that lesson.

When having later cystoscopies after my two procedures the surfaces were quite smooth.   

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/going-with-focal-laser-ablation-for-bph-552241?page=2&utm_source=forum&utm_campaign=comment-notification&utm_medium=email#2852234

This discussion was started by j12080 (John) which was the pioneer of FLA on this forum. Read the latest posts. Hank

jay, jim81578 is the one that FLA did not work. mike588 and Motorman are the two that FLA only helps marginally. The science is still sound if you're interested. Hank

I like the science is still sound, Rather like the old saying 'The operation was successful but the patient died"

I've been concerned about him after IRMA as he has a Trailer.

"I've been concerned about him after IRMA as he has a Trailer."

I don't quite get it. What are you getting at ? Hank

Best

My doctor subscribed me a combo of Flomax with Dutasteride ans it doesn't work and he does no other procedures just pushes pills. I am looking on my own for something that will stop my nightly pee trips.

https://patient.info/health/prostate-gland-enlargement