Is UROLIFT right for me?

I'm 68.  I have had 2 BPH procedures - TUNA (needle ablation) about 10 years ago and Urolift last month.  I used tamsulosin for about 8 months prior to the Urolift.

First, there is great help on this site.

Second, you have to find a doctor that you can trust.

Why did I choose Urolft?  Doctor recommendation AND listening to others who have had that and other procedures.  That's the value of this site.

I had a broken ankle when I was 9.  Pretty much every 9 year old who broke their ankle healed the same way.  With BPH, there is much more variation.  We're older and can have other things going on.

For me, it was the increase in night time trips that led me to believe that my prostate had grown 10 years after the TUNA.  The doctor tried the tamsulosin.  Helped a little at first, but not effective after a few months.  Note: others have good results from it, but not me.  And I hated the RE.

The doctor recommended the Urolift.  I did not ask him about PAE.  There are others on this site who can talk to you about this.

While I did post a little about my procedure, the short version - first: cystoscopy to determine if my prostate size would work with the Urolift.  Got an infection from it that was awful.  Antibiotics saved my sanity.  Urolift procedure two weeks later worked as advertised.  Minimal bleeding.  Physical activity limited for about a week (other than brief walks).

5 weeks after the procedure, I get up once a night most nights.  A few nights 2-3. Did the glass of beer orwine do it?  Beats me.  There is still some residual soreness in the urethra that is slowly improving.  Related to that, I think, is that when I have to go, I have to go.  I took a spinning class for 30 min (usual time 60 min).   I had to get to the urinal and just made it.  That is slowly getting better.  I took a road trip this week.  Because I was concerned about not finding a rest stop on the 7 hour driving days, I used Depend pads (not the full underwear).  While I didn't need it (I made it to the bathroom ok), I don't pack a lot of extra clothes. There were a couple of the stops that it was close.  Maybe, it was a case of having belt and suspenders.  

While I don't have a cancer diagnosis, based on my father's experience, there might be one in my future.  I'm sure that there are guys on this site who can give you more guidance.

Good luck

It will open you up and help you pee better That may help the relieve some of the prostate pressure.  I had mine 2 years ago and I have never felt them  I have 4 IMPLANTSl   It has no side effects and I don't think it will mess with the cancer cells.  Take care  Ken 

I suggestion to you is to look at this as it is a treatment for cancer with less than 7 Gleason score. You could at the same time with the same treatment fix the BPH issues. Focal Laser Ablation is only done with real time MRI and is done only by interventional radiologist. The best is in Houston for prostate in my view i and is Karamanian. If you want more info I will PM you. Where are you located?

I suggestion to you is to look at this as it is a treatment for cancer with less than 7 Gleason score. You could at the same time with the same treatment fix the BPH issues. Focal Laser Ablation is only done with real time MRI and is done only by interventional radiologist. The best is in Houston for prostate in my view i and is Karamanian. If you want more info I will PM you. Where are you located?

You were right not going for a prostatectomy. I have had prostate cancer since 15 years

only supplements and dieting. And I started with Gleason 7 at the age of 62.

Now, about peeing. It is wrong to admit that urological difficulties are caused only by BPH.

Very often this is a distended bladder. In my case I had Green Laser completed with TURP

and ended up self- cathing, as the problem is my bladder.

What I didn't know is that the bladder should be examined before any such

intervention. For instance by an urodynamic test. It is also a good idea to self cath

BEFORE the operation. There is a good forum about self-cathing here. Be well! Zdzislaw

A little more info:

Urologist did not say anything about Urolift.  A pamphlet was lying on the counter and i picked it up. I haven't discussed this wih him.   In regards to bph, he had me start taking Finasterade. (Proscar). Yes, I know about the side affects of low libido. (nothing happening in that department anyhow).  

A key component of my first post was that I SLEEP 7-8 hrs at night and DON'T GET UP TO PEE.  First thing in the morning is the slowest.  As the day goes on, i often pee every hr. If I am driving somewhere, sometimes the urgency causes me to leak. Nothing more embarassing than a wet spot going into a meeting, etc.

I also asked about it being "uncomfortable".  I understand it is done in Dr. Office with local anesthesia.  Can someone tell me specifically, where do they put the needle?  When I go to the dentist, even for a crown, I do not let them stick me with novacain. Can't stand a needle in my mouth.  

When I had vasectomy 30 yrs ago, I was too nervous to do in Dr office.  Done in hospital where they gave me a drip and put me in la la land land. It wasn't general anethesia.  I was awake and didn't care where they were sticking me, nor remember anything.  I've had severall minor surgeries and colonoscopies using the la la land process and much prefer it to any other option.

J12080 said something about Urolift being a treatment for the cancer.  Can I get someone to expand on that?