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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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  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Thanks, makes sense...see him Wed for follow up and will for sure.
  • Riverkilt
    Riverkilt charles40613

    Posted

    Day 12 Post op.  ADVICE FOR THOSE PLANNING UROLIFT:  Take a week off at least with the weekends on either side of that week if you're still working.  Do the surgery late in the week, have the weekend, a full week off, then the other weekend to heal.

    Made a decision to stop taking the Ditropan yesterday.  While it calms the bladder for sure it also makes peeing difficult.  Results were immediate and positive.  Only downside was a brief rebound of stuffiness in the sinus' like after stopping taking antihistimine.  Sleep time is improving with a three hour run of sleep last night and two different two hour runs.  Frequency when awake is about once an hour now without urgency - though there is a definate feeling of take care of this urge now.  And, at the risk of causing offense to some, will talk of the God-given gift of sexuality.  Last night was able to self-pleasure and achieve and maintain erection with no problem. Did not proceed to ejaculation due to the doc's post op instructions to get his okay...but for sure will ask him when I see him in 2 days.  Great hope and eager to field test the new equipment with my lady.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Riverkilt

      Posted

      I am very happy for you. Had mine tone in april. I stoped all pills after and I was going to wait till I saw my doctor for 2 week about sex but I could not I have some fun 11 days after .  It felt great but did not take long  I told my doctor and hewas fine with it.  No rough or swinging from a rope just relax and have fun  Ken  
    • nealpros
      nealpros Riverkilt

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. My only comment is that having the procedure, or any procedure, late in the week means that if you get in trouble, it will be difficult to reach your doctor; and if you go to an emergency room, you have to fight your way through the drunks and head colds to be seen. It will seem like forever if you can't pee.

      Neal

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 nealpros

      Posted

      Ifu can get it done that way it works out bettefor you.  Had my Urolift momday morning cattr was tking out  wed morning and I was fine by sat.  Ken
  • roland89296
    roland89296 charles40613

    Posted

    Hi Charles

    I got my Urolift two months ago due to BPH. Took Flomax before for six months, did not like the sideeffects. I did not need a catheter, little blood only first time, after no more. Frist two weeks a bit tender, peeing a lot, but slowly became better. After three weeks felt like normal. At night, only wake up once, second time just before I have go get up anyway, which is after 5am. Now, after a bit more than two months, I feel very good, perhaps great even. During the day absolutely no problem, at night usually one wake up, on average, also depending on how tired I am. I am very happy with my decision as Urolift had given me my lifestyle back. Also, because it may be important for anyone reading this, flomax really reduces your interest in sex, to say the least (at least it was for me), but now with Urolift done, blood circulation in groin area and sexual function went back to normal. I am reading all your posts, I still like to point out that we are all different, and in any case, one must consult an experienced urologist. Not everyone is a candidate for Urolift. Also, I like to mention that otherwise I am a healthy guy (59), always had led a healty lifestyle (regular excercise, diet, etc). Also never had any other issues with prostate. I switched into drinking tea two years ago, hardly drink alcohol and try not to smoke.

    I would like to provide some more info again after four months, will keep you up-dated. Happy greetings from Down Under.

    Roland

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 roland89296

      Posted

      I am glad it worked out for you.  It has been great for me I had mine done when I was 59 it's going on 4 months. Had taking flomax and some other's meds the side effects were the pits. Dry orgasm was the worst. Sex is good now.  I see the doctor next month.  Have to ask a question.  Have you notice a less pumping feeling from the prostate when you ejacalate.  I have 4 implates Don't feel it has much.  Take care and happy healing  Ken  
  • roland89296
    roland89296 charles40613

    Posted

    Hi all out there. I thought I will give you a quick update on my Urolift procedure which I have done three months ago, with four implants. My procedure went very well, see also my previous updates. Now, after three months, I feel still very good, much better than before the procedure where I was taking Flomax, I had negative side effects and most importantly did not sleep well, including early awakenings. Now, having done Urolift, I can say that my quality of life has improved a lot, say between 70 and 90 percent. My problem was mainly at night, Nocturnia. Now, after Uroflift, I have sometimes nights where I sleep straight through. Often, I wake up once only to make a pee. Sometimes two times most. But I can then go straight back to sleep again. Not like before with Flomax. So, yes, I am convinced the Urolift is a real help, at least it's helping me. I feel very good about it. But I guess one has to be a good candidate for the procedure and of course needs an experienced Urologist who is familiar with the procedure. But I definitely would recommend it providing those two conditions are present: Right candidate and experienced Urologist. I truly hope this update helps some of you who are considering doing it. For those of you who have done it but experience some problems, I sincerely hope you can overcome them. I have not experienced any problems at all so far and hopefully continue to do so. I will send an update later. Take care, all of you. Best regards, Roland
    • mal7896
      mal7896 roland89296

      Posted

      Thanks for that encouraging report Roland. I'm having Urolift done here at John Flynn hospital on Gold Coast on Tuesday with Dr David Sillar. 

      Will let everyone know how it goes...

      Mal

  • john73896
    john73896 charles40613

    Posted

    charles40613

    I tried to interest my GP in this pricedure but he had never heard of it, so it wasn't pursued. But I now read in the Times that it is available on the NHS. So I'm going to try my GP again. Can you tell me which hospitals carry it out, please?

    • charles40613
      charles40613 john73896

      Posted

      I know if you use Google there is a list of establishments that undertake Urolift in the UK. It was perhaps around 10 last time I fiddled with this. It is poor that a GP has know knowledge and even poorer that our NHS recommendation is to recommend TURPS and thereby remove teh natural male sexual function rather than take on board UROLIFT, it is actually a disgarce.
  • john73896
    john73896 charles40613

    Posted

    Many thanks Charles. I have an appointment with a new GP tomorrow, so I'll see what he says.

    Thanks

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 john73896

      Posted

      Good Luck John.  I am very happy with mine.  Take care  Ken 
    • john73896
      john73896 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Kenneth1955. Thanks. I will let you know the result of my visit to my new GP
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 john73896

      Posted

      John Good luck.  Ask him about having a catheter after.  Not a fan but I have a problem peeing on demand and it was the best thing I did.  Urine was clear in 24 hours and had no problem when it came out just a little burning.....If you read some of the post some men have to go back because they can't pee after Saves time and money
    • nealpros
      nealpros kenneth1955

      Posted

      And I'll bet it's no fun to have one put in just after surgery in the area.

      Neal

    • john73896
      john73896 kenneth1955

      Posted

      kenneth. I have been referred to a urologist at my local hospital in November.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 nealpros

      Posted

      It's put in while your still out so did not feel a thing and coming out was not a problem.  First time I ever had one....But it worked.  Sone times you have a problem peeing after the procedure.  I have a problem peeing on demand.  So it was best for me.  was only in 2 days.  I have talked to some men on here that ending up going to the hospital after and having one put in.  If you have it done right after you don't feel it and it save time and money  Ken
    • mal7896
      mal7896 kenneth1955

      Posted

      I had Urolift done at 2pm, (15/9/15) and my Urologist said he preferred me to have a catheter for a few hours. It was taken out at midnight, and I was allowed to go home the next morning after 2 successful voids . The bleeding stopped after a day or so. Better to have a catheter IMO rather than going home immediately after the procedure, where retention could be a possibility and I would  have had to return to emergency.

      It is put in while under GA, and the removal only gave a slight sting

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 mal7896

      Posted

      Yes that is right.  My urologist told me it up to the doctor.  Which I would rather have to put in when I'm out then later when I can't pee.  I don't care for them but he was right and when it came out there was no problem  Ken
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