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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

1911 Replies

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  • rlast
    rlast charles40613

    Posted

    I'm 67 and live in California and had the Urolift and overall found it quite satisfactory.

    I'm rather perplexed by the negative reviews as I have experienced none whatsoever. Before I was permitted to leave the hospital, I had to void and once done, a friend picked me up as I had a local and not permitted to drive(even though I could have done so) I was going at least 6-9 times nightly and am down to 1-3.Others have mentioned they had to pee on the way home but I never experienced the problem. I still void during the day if I drink a lot(surgeon said this was normal)Sexual functions unchanged. I have a appt in a month for a flow test. I would certainly recommend it as there is no cutting of tissue or change in sexual functions when compared to other procedures.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 rlast

      Posted

      I am glad all went well for you.  Had mine in April No problem at all.  I see my doctor next week.  Why are you having  flow test are you having a problem.  I had 2 flo test  Had 2 before but not after.  Take care  Ken 
    • thomas1947
      thomas1947 rlast

      Posted

      rlast, I live in Central California and would be interested in where you had your procedure done, if you don't mind sharing that.
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day 7 update.  Full day at workk - 10 1/2 hours.  Able to urninate between appointments.  No noticable effects other than the much improved stream.

    And, just to clarify - my drive home from the hospital was 135 miles, 2 1/2 hours across the reservation roads.

    I remain pleased and optimistic.

  • bob120
    bob120 charles40613

    Posted

    Charles,

    I should add that after my turp I still get up 2 to 3 times a night, better than 5 to 6 times a night since my bladder now holds more and a void is about 300ml or more. But there's still nights my bladder produces 1.5 to 2 liters so Istill get up 6 or more times on those nights. I think it is fair to say that all the prostrate procedures loosen up the path to allow a person to void more fully with larger volumes and stream. But they are no guarantee of a full night's sleep if the cause of getting up at night is more than just a blocked urethra. After all, women may get up a couple of times a night due to bladder issues. Thay have no prostates.

    • charles40613
      charles40613 bob120

      Posted

      It's a useful observation Bob. I've said to my GP and Urologist are there other factors at play here but I just draw blanks. Rather cynically I can't help thinking Google is more useful than my GP and my Urologist is embedded in delivering TURPS. It's poor really ?
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    A wee bit of a glitch last night...eight night post op....urethra felt like something was up there plugging it. - or wanted to keep closed...abated this morning.  No clue what or why.  Do know no stones because doc checked for them while he was up there.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Riverkilt

      Posted

      Never heard of that before.  Have you peed any yet.  Most of the time you have a problem in the first few days.  I never had that problem.  Peed after with no problem after the catheter came out.  3 month's no problem.  Did you call your doctor..Let me know whats up.  I will say a prayer for you I hate to see a man in pain  Ken
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Thanks.  Went away today - day 8 post op, third day back at work.  Today seemed "normal."  No straining, no feeling clogged...intervals long enough at work so I could see clients for an hour.  Stream still strong...lovin' it.  Have a follow appt wih the surgeon next Wed.   At the hospital I asked him if I should/could stop the generic Flomax....he told me to keep taking it for now.  One of my hopes was to get off the med.  We'll see.  Take home post op instruction sheet said no sex until okay'd by doc.  Not sure why but for sure gonna ask about that too.  Waking up with "morning wood" earlier in the week was most reassuring.  Still taking the bladder calming pill.  Since not working this weekend or Monday may try going without it and see what happens.  I remain quite sold on this Urolift procedure. 
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Riverkilt

      Posted

      Hey River Glad all is better.  Why are you still on meds.  After i had mine I was off everything. No meds at all.  Ass for sex.  It was going on  15 days I did not get a chance to before.  I was suppose to wait 2 week when I saw the doctor to ask when They tell you 4 weeks.  Well I could not wait any longer I did it 11 days after.  Only took a few minutes but it felt great Good luck  Ken    
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Still on meds because after the operation I asked the urologist if I should quit them.  He pondered the question a minute and said, keep taking them.  Hell, been on them for10+ years...so will ask again at my follow up appt next Wed.  Won't miss the runny nose side effect.  Question I have about sex is how long until its okay to do the woman on top position?  Serious.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Riverkilt

      Posted

      Like I say they tell you no sex for 4 weeks.  After mine He did not tell me to stay on them He know I did not like the side effects.  I'm glad I'm off of them They were the pits.  Good like.  Ken
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day 10  post op.  Can still feel the healing and progress.  Remain encouraged.  See the surgeon for follow up next Wed.  Still have that "plugged" feeling from time to time.  Might be from the "bladder settling"

    medication Ditropan.  The med has helped a lot.  A side effect is dry mouth.  Very very dry mouth.  Perhaps if the med is drying up my mouth its also drying up my urethra somehow giving that feeling.   After three intense days at work (the work itself was intense) with long hours last week.  Saturday was a day of rest.  Really difficult to force myself to just laze around and heal.  Know its needed still.

    • nealpros
      nealpros Riverkilt

      Posted

      Some of the drugs which help with bladder pain, are aesthetics to the sensation AND MOTOR nerves in the bladder, and may make it difficult for the muscles in the bladder to expel urine. Could that be what is going on with your medication? You might want to ask your physician about that.

      Neal

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