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The Urolift procedure; patient views and questions

Posted , 264 users are following.

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

    9 weeks after urolift with six staple thingies....sometimes only up once during the night.  Usually twice.  Off of Flomax and difficulty swallowing side effect is gone as is the effect on ejaculation.  At 70 years old I now pee an ejaculate like a teenager again!
    • mal7896
      mal7896 Riverkilt

      Posted

      Pleased to hear that Riverkilt.

      I'm 3 weeks post Urolift. My main problems before the procedure were frequency, retention and nocturia (having to pee 4-6 times a night)

      The 1st 2 weeks I noticed an improvemet in flow, but nocturia had not improved that much, despite my early optimism. I also noticed sitting on a hard chair was very uncomfortable, giving me the feeling I needed to void, even if I had just done so. 

      The past 3 days things are definitely improving,I'm only getting up 2-3 times a night now, and I'm confident that within a few weeks I will be back to pre BPH days :-) and I can declare Urolift a success. I'm also finally off Flomaxtra. 

      (PS I had a 60gram prostate with no enlarged median lobe or high bladder neck, and my Urologist told me I was a good candidate for the procedure. He put in 4 "clips")

       

    • john73896
      john73896 mal7896

      Posted

      I don't really understand all the technical jargon. But I think I get the general gist of things.
    • michael72708
      michael72708 mal7896

      Posted

      I had the Urolift and due to urethral trauma I ended up having to cath occasionally and take tamsulosin. My daytime symptoms of urgency and frquency have totally disappeared but surprisingly my nocturnia has remained and I wake up every 2 hours at night. I began cathing before bedtime and now I sleep through the night. Not a cure for everyone but it works for me because I'm trying to keep pressure off my bladder since I still have urinary retention. The Urolift doesn't really deal with that
    • jimjames
      jimjames michael72708

      Posted

      How long ago was your Urolift? My understanding is that all these procedures will deal with urinary retention as long as your bladder hasn't stretched out too much from years of retention.. Hopefully, as discussed, it you work on more frequent CIC, your bladder elasticity will improve. That combined with the Urolift might get you off CIC completely at some point. 

      Jim

  • liftednow1015
    liftednow1015 charles40613

    Posted

    From a new member.

    Hi Guys I guess my nickname says it all? my story?

    dates in UK format(d/m/y)

    15/08/15 went into AUR.....150miles form home!

    16/08/15 attended A&E(ER for USA?) catheter fitted and drained bladder(1.2 litres!)

    Anti-biotics taken for UTI.

    17/08/15 returned home with "traumatic" change.

    18/08/15 appointment with GP. Referred to Consultant Urologist  SJUH(still waiting for NHS appointment....)

    20/08/15 blood tests for PSA.

    28/08/15 blood tests show high(7.5) PSA.

    01/09/15 discovered referral appointment likely to take 10-15 weeks!

    01/09/15 sought private consultation with Urologist.

    03/09/15 rectal examination, prescribed Tamsulosin.

    08/09/15 TWOC(trial without catheter) failed, back into AUR.

    09'09/15 sought Consultant who could peform Urolift.

    22/09/15 Appointment with new Urologist(Urolift capable) Another rectal examination.

    24/09/15 Transrectal US scan. I have large 85+g prostate.Urolift in doubt if medial lobe protrudes into bladder neck.

    28/09/15 Urodynamics test confirming urethra restriction and checking bladder function.

    06/10/15 Cystoscopy. Medial lobe not large or protruding into bladder neck. Possibility of Urolift.

    14/09/15 Decision day with Urologist. Urolift or Turp. Tests reviewed, probabilities of successful Urolift discussed, and prognosis(3-5 year time span).

    28/09/10 Urolifted!.general anaesthetic and catheter fitted afterwards(4 clips).

    29/10/15 Discharged after overnight stay(drank 8 litresof water over 12 hours!

    very frequent peeing. good flow/low volume for 6 hours. every hour then and 6 pees during night(so not much quality sleep, but hey I am able to pee!!

    to be continued..............

     

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 liftednow1015

      Posted

      Hello  It will get better give it some time..  I have seen the same urologist for over a year and he has never did a rectal exam.  Been on many pills and alot of test before I had the uro-lift it was great for me I sleep all night and have no problem in the day time. And on no pills  Had 4 clips 2  Just relax and let me know  Ken USA 
    • liftednow1015
      liftednow1015 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Glad to hear your fine Ken, and thanks for commenting. I feel a steady improvement....
  • liftednow1015
    liftednow1015 charles40613

    Posted

    15 days since my urolift, and for the last 48 hours I can say that I feel "relatively normal" . I have had nocturia cetainly, and that is now improving. I have had "bladder urgency", and that is now improving. I have not had any painkillers for 4 days now. The only symptom that remains is mild discomfort after urination sometimes.I feel like I am almost back to "pre AUR trauma" and subsequent catheterisation(which is awful, uncomfortable, and debilitating - but entirely necessary until the problem was corrected).I am fortunate to have had a superb consultant to diagnose and correct my condition(Neil Harris) who will be reviewing my progress in 25 days.I will be returning to work in a few days time.

    Although my prostate is large(85+ ml), crucially the medial lobe did not protrude into my bladder neck, so urolift was possible. There are no guarantees of course, and if my prostate continues to grow, I may need further surgery. Now I feel that I have my life back again, and I treasure this.......

  • jme9928
    jme9928 charles40613

    Posted

    Greetings Gents.. & Charles.   I have read through many of the comments below... Nobody writes about INFECTION from the staples.  Why?  that is my first concern.  Now that many of you have had the procedure done... has it in fact helped?  My doc (who is not trained to do the Urolift) says it may not work.  So then, what are the pros (other than getting of the f----- meds and the cons...?  thank you all.    -jme
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 jme9928

      Posted

      Jim  I can only tell you my own Story.   Was on many of the pills and did not like the side effects After 2 scopes.  The second one my urologist could not in in my prostate.  It was cutting off the urine flow.  I had the urolift done.  Had 4 implants and also a catheter because we felt it would be best.  Which it was only had it for 2 days and pee great after it came out.  I did have some burning the first 24 hours but after a week I was off all pills.  Was not getting up at night and I have never felt the implants..  They will ring the bell at the airport but there made of steel so you will not get a infection.  I have had my for 7 month's and never had a problem with them.  Take care  Ken
    • jme9928
      jme9928 kenneth1955

      Posted

      THANK YOU...  what do you mean 4 implants?  staples?

      urologist could not ______  in your prostate?  see above.

      where are you?  UK?  or US?  appreciate your comments.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 jme9928

      Posted

      I am in the US  I live in Orlando Fl  I had 2 implants put on each side to keep the prostate open. The prostate is very thick on the out side  Go on one of the site and whatch them put it in.  It's like a staple or a hook with a very strong string.  They attach it to on side and then the other which pulls it together I watch it before I had it done  It was very interresting.  Ken
    • charles40613
      charles40613 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Ken

      Are you serious ? I haven't been abroad since my Urolift but are the implants detected at an airport security gate ? If so what the hell do you do ?!

      Charles

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 charles40613

      Posted

      Yes And they go off when you go through the Court house.  When I went  through for jury duty they went off.  I just show the card I was given.  I carry it in my wallet.  Urolift Patient Implant Card It's was from NeoTract Inc  They scan you by hand  Ken
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