The Urolift procedure; patient views and questions

Posted , 264 users are following.

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.

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  • Posted

    Yesterday, I had the Urolift performed at UCLA, with only local Lidocaine, first as a gel and then liquid that I believe was a 2% solution strenght.....or something like that.  I was also prescribed Toradol and Xanax.  That was not enough!  I felt too much of the probing, causing spontaneous groaning and moaning from me.  It seemed to me that I should have been put under general anethesia.  

    That process does not seem to be the normal procedure, but I see no reason for a patient to experience the extreme discomfort with this process.  They could have given me more Xanax, I suppose or an injection of lidocaine, but I felt it the most in the prostate area, less so in the urethra shaft fortunately because of the lidocaine.

    As a precaution, and I recommend this practice for who has the Urolift procedure to follow, I purchased a package of Depends for men (19 pair for 11.99).  On my way home, which took about 30 minutes, all seemed fine, until I stepped out of the car.  At that moment, all hell broke loose and I urinated in the Depend garment.....luckily, none of my clothes were affected.

    The first day there was quite a bit of pain and blood when I urinated.  However, by the second day, the pain was dramatically reduced.

    The program suggests hot baths, which I love doing anyway, and about 15 minutes into my bath I experienced an uncontrollable urgency that flooded the tub with coagulated blood discharges and much more liquid blood to the extent that I had to empty the bathtub and then refill it after cleaning the tub so that I could be comfortable continuing the hot bath.

    Today, my second day after the operation, there is much less pain when urinating and I have gone through about 5 of the Depends garments, even slept in one. They are surprisingly comfortable and really save the day.  But I cannot understand why they did not put me under and intend to complain to the urologist when I have my followup.  It seems barbaric to me.

    • Posted

      I hope, for everybody's sake, that yours is about the worst experience with urolift.  Everybody's different, and responses vary, but mine was not nearly so painful, apparently.  I think my prostate was about 90g, if I recall correctly, and perhaps my case was much less severe to start with.  I'll check here for updates, hope your experience smoothes out and you're feeling a lot better, soon.  You can review several of my postings here, to get more of my details.  Best wishes.  

    • Posted

      I think your doctor is either sadistic, or an idiot. There's no excuse for less than effective anesthesia in this day and age.

      Neal

    • Posted

      Can you please tell me how your recovery has gone since this post? My 74 year old father just had this procedure done Monday and has had an identical intra op and post op experience. He is having significant pain with urination and of course the urgency and frequency you would expect in the early recovery days. What we didn't expect was having no control when he stood up and urinating on himself. We purchased the depends garments as well and called the doctor on day 3 of the recovery. He prescribed medication for bladder spasms and that seemed to be helping with the incontinence. He was able to make it to the bathroom if he was close by one. On day 5 he had 3 more accidents and thankfully was still wearing the depends. I am very anxious to hear how you have progressed from this. In researching the procedure I didn't see this as a complication anywhere.

    • Posted

      Hi Guys

      Mine didn't go well, Doctor said my urine tube from bladder to prostate was 45 angle and the camera scope which is flexible made turn but urolift instrument was ridged and couldn't make it into the bladder, He put one in, I think just for billing purpose, So painful, told me that if I was going to have to be put under Anastasia may's as well get Green light. billed for 3600 dollors,so I went to Mayo and schedule HOLEP, I wish I could be done with this , dont know why no pain medicine is usally given.

    • Posted

      Your doctor is a sadistic creep. There's absolutely no reason to not use anesthesia for this procedure.

      Neal

    • Posted

      Hi Paul, I'm not sure that an anasthesia is the entire issue. I had 4 implants last July with just valium and oxy. What bothers me about your description is the going ahead when the patient may not be a candidate. The pre-planning has to include an assessment to identify any conditions that preclude the use of this product and there are at least several, probably more. In your case, an internal configuration that renders the tools unusable, seemingly, should have been a disqualifing factor. Obviously these points are too little too late in your case but I urge others to be adamant with their doctor to perform thorough candidacy checks. Best to you, I hope you get a resolution.

    • Posted

      I agree with Bill. Some imaging should have disqualified you. Not saying you should get a lawyer but...
  • Posted

    can anyody tell me whats less painfl and less side effecets the urolift or green light
    • Posted

      The urolift is less painfall and no side effect.  With green light you will have alot of pain could have trouble peeing and you may have trouble with sex.  If your able to you going to get retro because they cut away at the prostate.  Why have something that your going to loss something else and have more problems///ken 
    • Posted

      Hi Ken, I know you had the uro lift? Did you also have GL Laser ?Some guys say they had GL and not much pain after?
    • Posted

      No I have never had that  Had the urolift and went off all pills  been fine  Ken
    • Posted

      Frank I sent a privite message to bruce  Hope he get back to you  Ken
  • Posted

    Do you mind if I ask... who did your urolift? My father is getting it done and I am not sure about his dr.

    • Posted

      Sorry to butt in but I had mine done in orlando florida  Appril of 2015  All is great  Ken
    • Posted

      Who was the Dr that did yours, Ken? Dr. Zamip Patel it's to do my dad's.

    • Posted

      Yes that is my Doctor  I think he is great.  Is your father having it at the surgical center.  That is were I had mine.  Did Dr. Patel say if he is going to put a catheter in after.  It up to the Dr.  I had one because I have a problem peeing on demand  I have had him for over 2 years.  He staff is great also they are all very nice  Ken

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