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My HOLEP Experience

Posted , 17 users are following.

philip42830
philip42830

I have been suffering with BPH for many years. I have had a PAE which didn't work for me. I have been on Alfuzosin for many years. 

I had my HOLEP done by Mr Tev Aho at the Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge. 

I went in yesterday 8th August at 7am and had my surgery at 8.30am. I had a GA so was not aware about the procedure. I woke up without any pain at all. I had a catheter with a bag of saline to wash out the bladder for 20 hours. I had the catheter out at 6am this morning. I then out to show I could empty my bladder. This was fine, it just took time for my system to start again. I walked around the hospital and drunk water. by 10.30 I had given 3 samples the last one for 470 ml - so I was allowed to go home. I have a very slight bit soreness in my urethra, but I never had a stream which is so strong and my bladder feels empty after going to the toilet. I am a bit tired but haven't slept much during the treatment. I cannot than Mr Aho and his team enough for their patient care. I am so pleased I had a Holep.

2 likes, 115 replies

115 Replies

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  • dennis47445
    dennis47445 philip42830

    Posted

    Philip, Congratulations!  How old are you if you don't mind me asking?  You said you walked around the village that you live in, where is that, I'm curious?  I am doing CIC. I wish I didn't have to, but in my case, I don't have a good flow, so I have to resort to CIC.  I am 69 years old, and will be 70 in three months.  I am hoping that I will have similar results like Jim/James with my bladder. It will be two years on Aug.25, that I have been doing CIC.  It went fast. I remember my dad, telling me that if you think time is going by fast now, wait till you are older, it will going by even faster...he was right!

    Aloha,

    Dennis

    • philip42830
      philip42830 dennis47445

      Posted

      Hi Dennis, Thank you. I have turned 59. I live near Melton Mowbray in the UK.

      I hope CIC provides some improvements. 

      Thanks for the post.

      Philip.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 philip42830

      Posted

      Philip  I hope all goes well for you.  Were you offered anything else and why did you pick the Holep procedure.  Just wondering.  God Bless  Ken
    • philip42830
      philip42830 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Ken, Thanks. I have had a PAE, I have been involved in being part of the trial for ITind, I have seen a a specialist who immediately wanted to do a TURP, I have also had the tests for a UROLiFT. I have tried many drugs and also herbal remedies. I decided on the HOLEP because, I expected it to work, based on the surgeons statistics of previous surgeries and he medical tests and exam by Mr Aho. I also went to the HOLEP as the recovery is shorter than a TURP and less bleeding. My research paid off. 

      Best wishes,

      Philip.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 philip42830

      Posted

      As long as your happy with it.  Did you have any concerns about retro.  There are so many doctor Dr Muir for one that do EP Holep.Why did you not go with the Urolift.  It would have done the same thing make a tunnel with out any cutting  Your only 59.  Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones.and not get retro all depends on the Doctor.  Good luck and take it easy for a while

    • philip42830
      philip42830 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Very happy Ken. No concerns at all. The surgeon said that that Urolift would give me 2 year's relief, As I said and keep saying retro doesn't worry me at all. Thanks Philip.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 philip42830

      Posted

      Then I am happy for you.  Sometimes doctor kind of forget to tell the patient and then when it happens they get mad  Can I ask why did the doctor tell you that Urolift would only give you 2 years of relief.  The company said 5 to 7 and I am almost at 4 years.  Clip are still in the same place and still wide open.  Well to late now what's done is done.  Just take it easy for a while that is major surgery.  God Bless  Ken  

    • philip42830
      philip42830 kenneth1955

      Posted

      I don't know Ken why, but he did and was open and honest in my case. I don't have the case notes to check. 

      Philip.

  • philip42830
    philip42830

    Posted

    Day 6 update. My urethra is sensitive today when I pee, it isn't a burn, more like a soreness. No blood at all today. Very tired but managed to go for a 20 min walk. Peeing normally, good flow, taking me time so emptying my bladder each time, it feels empty. I key thing for me is to totally avoid coffee which causes a burning pain in my urethra, weak tea is fine. I am drinking about 1.5L of water a day, to keep my urine clear.  It is a week tomorrow since the HoLEP and I feel very positive. Philip

  • philip42830
    philip42830

    Posted

    Update 7 days: I am sleeping through the night without having to get up to go for pee. I am passing the very occasional spot of blood. Urine is clear and my flow is still good. I have more energy today. But urethra is still sore/sensitive, but as I a drink more water it eases off quickly. I went to see my GP yesterday for a check up, he is really pleased with my progress. He is taking a regular urine test while I recover. Very comfortable. 
    • dl0808
      dl0808 philip42830

      Posted

      Just curious,  before holep, how often u had to go at night?

      Leakage: a research study showed that the rate of incontinene after HoLEP was 17%, but it could damage the internal sphincter. I have no idea if the latter could be recovered just like the external sphincter.

    • philip42830
      philip42830 dl0808

      Posted

      It varied, but normally twice, sometimes 3 times. 

      Mr Aho's results for post-op leakage is very low more like 0.5%.  He gave me all the stats before I signed up.

      My understanding is most post-op leakage sorts itself out after 3 months.

    • dl0808
      dl0808 philip42830

      Posted

      Leakage: 0.5% vs 17% from the Korean HoLEP transient incontinence study is unbelievable result. Let me wonder for HoLEP  if indeed the surgeon skill is so critical.

      the study had 391 patients. Leakage is defined as anything that leaks.

    • philip42830
      philip42830 dl0808

      Posted

      The surgeon skill is critical. I would never had the procedure if I was giving that stat before surgery. 

      The 0.5 I think is out of about 1500 procedures. I don't have the exact figures in front of me.

       

    • dl0808
      dl0808 philip42830

      Posted

      I understand now. I believe that dr. Aho was talking leakage after more than a year. In this case is similar to the leakage rate reported by the Korean study. The Korean report called it transient as oppose to permanent. 

      I am happy to know that in  the hands of an experienced HoLEP surgeon, after a year the persistent incontinence rate is 1:200.

      For the 17%  patients, who suffer transient unitary incontinence, 80% will recover within 3 months. For the other 20% sufferers, it will take them 3-13. Mo to recover. And 0.5% of all patients, may take much longer to recover or may not recover at all.

    • philip42830
      philip42830 dl0808

      Posted

      DL, that sounds more like the outcomes, I read in other studies and patient experiences. 
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