Open prostate surgery is looking more and more likely

Try PAE and ask for an opinion from someone who has done the most like Dr. Bagla who did mine. You may not have cancer if it’s just big and ur psa is high. He can look at your mri if you have one. It’s a much better option than surgery and you could always get that if this isn’t an option. 

Many Surgeons refuse to remove a Prostate in the UK if you do not have Cancer. Just waiting for mine to be removed due to Prostatitis, Urine infections and growing back again after last TURP, plus Cancer. Will be done Robotically.

Am like you and don't like surgery but have had too much misery over the years. Feel certain you can get sorted without invasive procedures.

Good luck

David

Hi. I had a 140cc prostate which is considered large. I had a HoLep which is well suited to a large prostate according to my excellent surgeon. The important thing is to find a really good surgeon so do you homework. I had my op done in Cambridge, UK. The only expected downside was RE which is almost inevitable to operate on a very large prostate. My op went 100%. Catheter out within a day. very little pain and most of the bleeding stopped with 1-2 days. Within a few days everything seemed normal i.e. no pain, high pee rate but well controlled with occasional minor leaking which stopped with a  week or so and is now, 2 years later, non-existent. I can avoid peeing if needed for hours but still evacuate completely. My sexual function was back to normal after the mandatory 4 week break; well all except the RE which is not a problem. So choose carefully both the op and the surgeon as there are good ones out there. BTW despite cameras, lights, macerators etc being fed up the penis I was amazed to find it normal size and hardly sore after the op.

Hello Gary,

I also have a 240gm prostate and am 69. The type of procedure that removes the entire prostate is called a radical prostatectomy which cuts the urethra and is mainly for cancer. For BPH it is called a simple prostatectomy which means that the prostate shell and urethra are left in tact and only the glandular tissue is removed. This can be done with an open surgery through the abdomen or by a robot which involves 5 small incisions above the belly button. The robotic SP is much more precise but requires a very skilled surgeon.

My urologist wanted to do a robotic SP on me 2 years ago but I opted instead to learn self-catherization (CIC) which I continue to do a few times each day. It is actually quite easy now for me. Also my bladder function has improved a lot due to CIC. Is this an option for you?

There is also another "simple" procedure called FLA which is offered in Houston and Florida. It involves precision lasering of the median lobe and excess gland tissue to remove the obstruction. It does not go through the urethra and has a quick recovery. It is a new procedure and not covered by insurance. Are you in the US?

Make sure you explore all your options before committing to one. Good luck.

Howard