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The Urolift procedure; patient views and questions

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charles40613
charles40613

Would it be possible to keep this thread purely about Urolift and a means of sharing experiences from those who have undergone the process and invite debate from those considering it.

The Urolift process plus pros and cons are accurately described at many a website. Other very long threads discuss in detail BPH and other treatments such as TURPS, laser tend to overshadow people looking for advice on Urolift.

So for me, tired of getting up in the night. Tired of the medication and its side effects, tiredness and ED. Quality of life getting me down. I am 60 and reckon to be pretty fit and active.

I underwent this treatment (as an alternative to TURPS) 2 weeks ago at one of the 5 or 6 clinics/hospitals that appear to offer this treatment in the UK. It really was as simple as described on the web.

I had a 30 minute consultation with the consultant whereby he explained the procedure.

The treatment was booked for 10 am., it took about 15 minutes. I had it done under a local anaesthetic. To be frank if you are used to having your prostate and other bits probed there is no pain. It is just the thought of it you have to come to terms with. After the treatment you have to drink a lot of water to flush your system but I was allowed to drive home by dinner time.

First warning here. I did have to stop probably every 15 minutes with a sudden need to urinate. Fortunately I took a urine bottle from the clinic !

I could write for ages but will see what response I get to this post. I know on the day I was there, 4 other blokes were having the procedure and I sensed there was a regular flow of patients.

I’m now going through the period whereby I’m asking myself is there any improvement? It’s only 2 weeks in. I’m not sure is the answer at the moment. We are all different and recovery and improvement I am told does take time anything from 2/3 weeks to 2/3 months maybe longer. Your system needs time to readjust, I understand that, I don’t know how much time but I’m due for a follow up next week. I'm remaining positive.Would welcome comments from others.

18 likes, 1911 replies

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  • anthony33629
    anthony33629 charles40613

    Edited

    I had the Urolift procedure one week ago today. It went well, had very little blood, no catheter - just alot of burning. Still feel burning upon peeing. I expect the burning will go away eventually. My doctor told me to stay on the Tamsulosin (Flomax) for a month. I'm eager to come off it, but I'll do what he says. My stream is much stronger and I feel my bladder is more empty when I pee. Although, the frequency and urgency is intense. I'm wondering how many guys here have come off the Flomax successfuily. I'm worried that my progress will stop when I stop the drug. And I reallly want to stop the drug.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 anthony33629

      Edited

      Hey Buddy

      Why does your doctor what you to stay on the Flomax. I had my Urolift done over 7 years ago. Never took anything after the procedure. I was on it before the procedure for 2 week I told him no way. Had the Urolift 2 weeks later.

      You should be off any medication. All will work itself out. Talk to your doctor

      Good luck....Ken

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 J59221

      Posted

      Thank you.. Yes still open. I would never have anything else.......Ken

    • anthony33629
      anthony33629 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Kenneth:

      I'd be glad to get your thoughts on my comments and questions directed to Charles below. I appreciate your grasp of these issues. Anthony

  • J59221
    J59221 charles40613

    Edited

    I had a Urolift 1-1/2 years ago. It was working for almost a year then back on Tamsulosin dependence again. Spent too many years avoiding the inevitable and worrying about ejaculation. Urolift pushes the prostate aside and staples it as it is still growing. Even though temporary it may be cool for younger men who are still fertile or for those who don't mind redo's. The procedure was pretty easy in the office. It seems the doctors only have very young pretty girls working with them. My lifelong personal privacy issues are long gone now. I just had the Greenlight laser therapy and peeing like a horse. I wish I did that the first time. Gotta get a good doctor then good luck!

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 J59221

      Posted

      J

      Did you have a median lobe. Was that the problem. They do have a procedure called the Midlift that was made to take care of that,

      Why did you not have a Ejaculation Sparing Green Light or did they not tell you about that one

      God Bless Ken

  • anthony33629
    anthony33629 charles40613

    Posted

    Hi Charles:

    I am at the two week mark also. I won't see my doc for another couple of weeks. I'll be interested in hearing how your follow up goes.

    I'm annoyed about the paucity of information (on the Internet, where else) about what to expect post procedure. I know everyone's healing process is different, but there must be some constants among the variables.

    My doctor told me to continue to take the tamsulosin for four weeks post procedure and I complied for about a week. My stream was strong and my bladder felt empty, which felt like a relief. I had uncomfortable urgency and burning the first week, but that is subsided now, as I go into the third week.

    I titrated myself off the tamsulosin about three days ago, and the results are touch and go. My stream is as weak as it was before the procedure, but I do feel empty afterwards. The reason I came off the tamsulosin was that I figured if my bladder and sphincters need to re-learn how to work, why continue to artificially relax the prostate with the drug. I know my doctor won't like it, and I'll be open to his coaching.

    To go back to my original point, I could find no discussion about the pros and cons of taking tamsulosin or any other of the bph drugs post Urolift. I may have missed something, so if anyone here can direct me to a source, I'd be appreciative. I know I'm being a baby demanding quicker results. I am 72 and I get that the healing process is slower as one ages. But all in all I feel a definite positive shift, even taking the tamsulosin. It's so good to not feel that fullness in the bladder 24/7.

    Thanks ahead of time for any thoughts.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 anthony33629

      Edited

      Hey there Anthony

      I'm here for you my friend

      Yes we all heal different so doctors have different things for us to do. I was on Flomax which is the same thing. I did what my doctor told me. But it gave me dry ejaculation and took my orgasms away. 2 weeks into it I told my doctor no way was I taking the medication. 2 weeks later I had my Urolift.

      My prostate was closed tight. He could not get the camera through the prostate to check the bladder.

      It could be that you were worse then me before the procedure. We never really know. After I had mine done I had a catheter for 2 days. I asked for it. This was because I was doing research and I found out that the other men that have had it done could pee right after but when they went home they could not pee because the prostate is swollen

      I'm here if you need something it does work if it is done right. I had mine over 7 years ago still open. 4 clips. No side effects at 65. I had it done at 58 when it first came out. I was my doctors 20 patient.

      God bless.....Ken

  • anthony33629
    anthony33629 charles40613

    Posted

    Thank you, Ken, for taking the time to answer my questions, 6 years is a very encouraging amount of time. I did not have a catheter coming out of the Urolift procedure. And I began peeing, with some pain, almost immediately. As long as I've been taking the tamsulosing post Urolift, my stream has been strong, As I have begun to come off the tamsulosin, my stream is constricted, but it's not as bad as it was before the Urolift.

    Since you mentioned ejaculation, I'm wondering you feel being off the tamsulosin has helped you in that department. Thanks for any information, Anthony

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 anthony33629

      Posted

      Anthony

      I only took Flomax for 2 weeks. I hated it. Some men are not affected as bad but it was bad for me. I was 58 when I had my Urolift done. My prostate was closed tight. Being you are older and I do not know your story you may need to take it for a little when but if you can go without it stay off of it. Give it time. It may take longer for you because you are older

      God bless and take care....Ken

  • paul03769
    paul03769 charles40613

    Edited

    I got urolift 15 days ago, but now I have not seen any improvement and everything is just like before urolift, I am searching on internet and finding out different answer, two weeks, or four weeks.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 paul03769

      Edited

      Some men take longer. I was good to go in 2 weeks. Been almost 8 years for me.

      Good luck Ken

    • paul03769
      paul03769 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Ken,

      Thanks for your prompt reply so you think I should hope it works out. Thanks Paul

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 paul03769

      Edited

      Hey Paul

      What did your doctor tell you. Did you see him after 2 weeks. We are all the same but we are different. Our bodies heal different. Like I said I was good in 2 weeks. No sex until after 4. They want the clips to a here to the prostate

      How many clips did you have put in. Did you have a catheter put in after the procedure. How big was your prostate. That is also a factor in healing.

      I'm here if you need to talk.....Ken

    • paul03769
      paul03769 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Ken,

      I am 70 years old, and I think my prostate was 60 and I had catheter for less than 20 hours because nurse told me just keep it for tonight and remove it tomorrow.

      I have an appointment with doctor after 4 weeks and now 16 days past, and if I drink less water, I feel a burning sensation in the urine. You said no sex until after 4, but on doctor releasing paper it is noted until 7 days so I had after 12 days. and I try to drink as much water as in the early days to prevent burning sensation. thanksPaul

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 paul03769

      Edited

      Hey Paul

      Just give it time. So you had the catheter for over night. That was good. I had it for 3 days. I was good to go in 2 week. I have to say I did not wait the 4 weeks either. I think it was 7 days after the catheter came out.

      I think maybe because it was new they wanted to make sure they stayed. I had some burning for about 3 days but that was it. I did drink a lot of water and cranberry juice

      Do take it easy, You are older ( I was 58 ) and your prostate was a little bigger

      Take care my friend...Ken

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