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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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  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Okay, Day Four.  Got FIVE bursts of one hour's sleep last night...that's improving.  Frequency awake is from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.  Not enough to go back to work tomorrow (I'm a therapist and see clients for an hour at a time).  So called in and took tomorrow off too.  Blood is almost always not visible in my urine anymore...just an occasional thing and then a drop or so...  Last antibiotic is tomorrow morning.  Called the doc to give an update and he said no more antibiotics needed after I use what I have.  He also Rx'd me a drug called Ditropan which is supposed to calm down my bladder.  Gonna pick that up soon and get it working. Will see how that helps.  Interesting potential side effects which I hope to avoid and hope its a short term deal.  Summary....still slowly getting better.  Still no pain from the surgery...a couple times have felt "the presence" of something new down there but don't know if that is physical or mental.
    • Riverkilt
      Riverkilt

      Posted

      Okay, was able to time it to get to the pharmacy and back without an "accident."  Took the first pill and since the first void after that its been an hour (miracle!) until I needed to go again.  Pharmacist called the urologist and suggested the instant pills, rather than time release.  Rx is for 3x a day,  Dosage is 5 mg.

      On another front, a benefit from this adventure is that in just 4 days I've lost 8 pounds!  Even if its just "water weight" I'll take it.

      Really optimistic now that the  Ditropan is at work.  No sign of the possible side effects.  

      And for the squeamish...sorry if I offended with any reports...but as former police officer, a Marine, assitant at autopsies, Fire Dept Crisis Worker, and 11 gallon blood donor...I just am not squeamish....even when its my own blood or tissue.

    • Dudley71081
      Dudley71081 Riverkilt

      Posted

      Hi ,   I wonder if you have read  ' Kenneth '. As Riverkilt ?

      And no,  not overly squeamish.  I could if I thought it was prudent,   post my own lurid details of procedures,  but I guess I must have watched too many Westerns at an impressionable age.

  • charles40613
    charles40613

    Posted

    I started this thread 9 months ago and thought it time for an update. I have posted reviews at 3 weeks, 2 and 4 months in this thread. I hope they have helped, I think they are pretty accurate reflections.

    I believe in the procedure, it is simple, painless but I have to say for me 9 months on Urolift has not worked because I do still get up to pee 2 to 3 times a night which is really annoying me and making me tired and deflated.

    I’m now in a real dilemma as to the next step, my regional NHS don’t/won’t support Urolift. There is a default setting of TURPS, end of. As a self-funding private patient I’m not sure where I stand with going back to my consultant or what responsibility there is on him to review the procedure with me. I did wonder if I can force a referral via my GP but I don’t know. I’m hesitant about paying more money.

    • Ozchilly
      Ozchilly charles40613

      Posted

      Hi Charles,

      On a similarly gloomy note, herewith my update.

      My last posting was one month post-op and I was cautiously optimistic of a lasting improvement. That, in retrospect, proved to be the apex of my improvement and I've seen steady deterioration in my stream since then. As noted, nocturia has not been an issue for me in the past and it hasn't been an issue since the procedure to any increased degree. My stream is slightly better now than before the procedure, but only slightly...The only optimistic note I can sound is that I haven't yet resumed medication, but feel that it isn't too far away. 

      So, like you, the question is where to hither? I'm going to try to get in touch with the urologist in Aus with the most experience with them to ask if he has done any "repeats" and if so, what results he can share.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 charles40613

      Posted

      Charles and Ozchilly.  I am very sorry that the urolift is not working for you.  Maybe they did not put enough implants in.  I had mine done April 27 of this year. My urologist put in 4 implants.  The first week was rough but after that it was great.  I use to get up 4 and 5 times a night and had to force myself. Now I sleep all night and on know meds.  I do try to stop drinking early in the evening.  Hope things get better for you both  Ken
    • bob120
      bob120 charles40613

      Posted

      Charles,

      Having had green light lasers in 2012 and2013 (with a bladder neck resection and removal of bladder stones during the second GL, and a turp 3-1/2 months ago. I can say my experience was the turp was an easier recovery than either greenlight, or the completely worthless TUMT procedure I had in 2011, though there was more bleeding with the turp and I did need transfusions and a procedure to clean out the clots from my bladder three weeks after the turp. I was worried about retro which didn't happen with the two GL's but did with the turp. I can honestly say the retro is a non-issue for me. The orgasms are just as good, but the fluid goes into the bladder instead of down and out. My first experience with retro was weird because I had forgotten about it and couldn't figure out why I was dry until I put 2 and 2 together. If I had to do it all over again I would go with the turp and skip the greenlight laser. There's other choices of course, but these are the two I'm familiar with

      Good luck,

      Bob

    • mal7896
      mal7896 Ozchilly

      Posted

      Hi Ozchilly

      Just wondering if you'd had any improvement yet? And who was your Urologist.?

      I'm booked in for next Tuesday at John Flynn hospital on Gold Coast with Dr Sillar

      anyway hope all is well

      Mal

  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day five post op update.  I got six tie offs or whatever they're called.  the Ditropan med is helping imensly with the post op bladder irritation.  frequency is reducing well. Yesterday was able to get out and about for short errands with the assistance of public restrooms near my destinations.  First night on the Ditropan got a solid chunk of three hours sleep whan I added two Tylenol 200mg. One instance of visible blood in the urine last night.  Gone this morning... know it takes time.  Great stream...hoping that holds.  Last antibiotic was this morning and doc declined to refil even with some blood.  Says I don't need it.  Worried about infection then remembered urine is sterile.

    Hoping to return to work tomorrow.  A few out and about chores today.  Still no pain.  Just an occasional awareness that something new is on board down there.  Probably just mind games.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Riverkilt

      Posted

      I am glad all is going well.  I never felt anything after it was done.  He put in 4 implants in.  Had mine done in April   It take about a week for all the blood to be gone.  And about 4 weeks you should be fine.  Take care and Good health  Ken     
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Forgot.  The best reassurance of all.  I woke up with "morning wood." this morning.  That is an incredible gift for a 70yo still very active guy...Bodes well for the future after healing.
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day six post op.  Seems so long....was able to get out and about yesterday and do shopping at the supermarket and some other little things.  All the while paying attention where the nearest men's room was.  But intervals are up to an hour now so going in to work today to see how it goes.  I'm a therapist and sit for a living but my office is a long way from the men's room at my agency.  wearing one of those men's 'accident' pads just in case.  But feel ready.  No more bleeding - or at least not visible bleeding.  Sleep still pretty messy but no worse than before the surgery...got two periods of 2 hours sleep at a time and three of one hour at a time.  Biggest noticialbe thing is the much much approved stream.  Only thing close to pain is sometimes feel irritated at the end or the urethra.  Squirt a wee bit of antibiotic ointment up there and get relief. But even without that - its nothing I can't endure.  Urolift seems to be turnin in to one of those, "no fun but worth it" experiences.
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day six update.  Still poor sleep last night but better.  Frequency reduced. Ditropan seemed to do its job.  Was able to go back to work (therapist so I sit for  a living)...was able to get through sessions and pee before and after session with no disruption of work flow.  Forgot to take my Ditropan at noon.  Went out to dinner with a lady friend after work.  No problems.  Still no pain.  A coworker quized me in detail and I went through the whole experience with him.  He signing up for it too, was worried about the pain and was reassured by my report.  Still pleased.  No sign of blood in urine.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955

      Posted

      Sorry Day by day you will see more improvement Take care 
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