Post Turp experience

I had the Turp operation just before my 84th birthday. The original problem was diverticulosis of my bladder combined with some restriction beween the bladder and the penis. This resulted in frequent but scanty urination especially at night. Eah morning my abdomen was swollen, particularly on the right side and after an ultrasound examination I was referred to the urology dept of a NZ hospital. The initial treatment was to train (or attempt to) me to self-cathetarisation. This was something of a disaster. The nurse helped me insert the catheter but as the insertion proceeded I felt considerable resistance and pain but this diminished somewhat and we continued the insertion until a second barrier occured. Continuing further the nurse was, I think, a bit surprised that there was no urine flow and as she withdrew the catheter a considerable amount of blood came out. She said this wasn't unusual but added that there seemed to be a blockage in the uretha and proposed that this should be investigated further and put me on the list for an endoscopic ehamination. I returned home still bleeding and within a few days developed an aggressive infection which did not respond to antibiotics and became a serious threat to my life. I was admitted under emergecy to the hospital and treatment with antibiotics and saline drip started immediately. The next day I had a catheter inserted (somewhat apprehensively given my previous experience with one) and from thereon there was an immediate improvement. After four days in hospital I returned home with a catheter in place and for about seven months managed this with no real problems.

Eventually, I was scheduled for the TURP procedure with spinal block anesthetic. All went well, the operation took place late afternoon and the following day I was allowed to get up and walk around carrying the very large urine bag. The following day the three way catheter was removed and I was required to pee into a bottle. The nurse was quite impressed with the volume and told me if I passed the three bottle test and my retention was low I could go home. Which is what happened.

My recovery was almost text-book. I bled for about five to six days then a clear urine space of about 10 days and then a resumption of bleeding which only lasted 2-3 days. Urine stream excellent and remained so. Some bladder spasms started a few weeks after this and still persist but reducing in frequency and severity. I have had ED for quite a few years but this morning awoke with an erection harder than I had experienced for some 15 years (and I do not think this was due to a need to urinate as I had emptied my bladder about two hours previously) About the retrograde ejaculation I cannot really comment but I did have a nocturnal orgasm a week or so back which awoke me but there did not appear to be any discharge of semen although once my penis has completely softened there appeared to be quite a lot of fluid.

Now, some 10 weeks after the operation I have resumed all normal exercise and feel pretty well fully recovered.

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