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.
18 likes, 1911 replies
Johnp1955 charles40613
Posted
Has anyone that has undergone the Urolift be precluded from any activities that they did prior to the procedure? I was thinking primarily of physical activities/sports that you participated in. I'm seriously considering this procedure, but a secondary concern following the procedure is continuing to participate in those sports and activities that I am currently doing, such as snow skiing, scuba diving, riding my bike extensively, and working out at the gym. Thanks in advance.
AZBill Johnp1955
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John, I had the procedure on July 22 this year. Other than taking it easy till everything had stabilized, I was not put under any restrictions. I don't do any extremely rigorous activities but it's nice playing a round of golf without becoming anxious.
john75981 Johnp1955
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i only had my operation 4 weeks ago. Surgeon advised no vigourous excercise for 3 weeks, after that I'm ok to resume gym sessions and weekly cycling.
kenneth1955 john75981
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steven07153 Johnp1955
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I had the procedure on Oct 7. The doctor originally told me no restrictions but I was too wrecked after the surgery to do much of anything. At my 1st visit subsequent to the surgery I was told 3 weeks would be enough. At about 3 1/2 weeks I felt good enough to resume my workout schedule which is about 30mins to one hr/day on an eliptical. I have felt OK ever since and am slowly recovering. So that's what happened to me (I am 69 years old).
charles40613
Posted
I’ve had a number of messages asking me for an update 2 years on.
I posted after 1 year that I felt Urolift had not worked for me and 2 years on now that view remains the same. I believe in the procedure because there were improvements in flow rate, no stopping and starting whilst peeing, no taking an age to get started, increased voids when peeing from 150ml to 180-200ml, it was painless, no ED, none of those dreadful pills. I could get round a golf course without a pee and watch a football game without a pee at half time.
My IPSS score came from 20 to 12. During the day all was fine but the issue of Nocturia remained and I still go to the loo 2 and certainly 3 times a night.
I’ve put up with that for a long time now it is annoying and affects quality of life. I’ve been contemplating seeing my GP for an age to see if he will refer me to an NHS hospital that deals with Urolift. I don’t know if that is feasible but I think that is what I must do sooner than later. Do the implants need adjusting? I don’t know and nobody knows in my regional NHS hospital. I begrudge paying further when the technologies are available, approved by NICE and cheaper than TURPS to the NHS.
Hope that helps !?
steven07153 charles40613
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A question to Charles. I've been on the list serve since October and I've seen progress various people are making. I'm 69 years old. I had the surgery Oct 7 and at three and a half weeks was good to work out and sort of resume my "normal" life. My flow is restored and I don't wake up as I did previously. However, my ejaculate has not returned and I wondered whether others have experienced this as well. So I know that I'm continuing retrograde ejaculation--at least subsequent to surgery the "feeling" at orgasm has returned but still no ejaculate. I would welcome any experiences others have had in this regard.
jimjames charles40613
Posted
Hi Charles,
Thanks both for starting the thread and for the update.
Have you had your PVR checked recently to see if getting up 2-3 times per night is being caused by incomplete bladder emptying or being caused by excessive nightime urination (Nocturia).
Because if your PVR is OK, and Nocturia is the problem, then another procedure or operation probably won't make much of difference in terms of the frequency of night time urination and other strategies should be tried. However, if you are having incomplete bladder emptying at night, then another procedure could help.
Jim
charles40613 jimjames
Posted
Yes I'd like to think I've been down that route with my Urolgist but I was starting to think he just thought TURPS was the only solution, that was what the hospital offered, tried and tested and all else were wive's tales including American gadgetry!
kenneth1955 charles40613
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jimjames charles40613
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Jim
charles40613 jimjames
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Like in any job there are those that embrace new technology and those that don't. I don't know figures but my PVR has not been a problem, readings were low before anf after
jimjames charles40613
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Charles,
If your PVR was low before and after, then ask your doctor how he thinks any type of operation, including TURP, will decrease the number of night time trips to the bathroom. I don't see how they can. The major effect that TURP will have on night time bathroom trips is to decrease PVR, but if yours is already low, then no benefit.
That said, there are ways to cut down night time bathroom trips, including limiting fluids in the evening, afternoon naps, elevating the legs when lying down, compression stockings and certain drugs, including diuretics. All these strategies work by shifting some of your nightime urine volume to daytime urine volume.
Jim
charles40613 jimjames
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Thanks for that. Yes like all of us I don't drink fluids after 8. I used to bemoan people using this thread for private conversations !! Yes I understand your points I've done so much research on this I could possibly pass Urology exams! The answer was TURPS is tried and tested, it's a one size fits all answer, it creates a bigger bore was the phrase used. Somebody in this thread long ago posted that a possible problem was I generate too much urine at night but that was washed over as well by the experts but I thought it was a good point. I am going to tackle my GP on this whole issue after Xmas maybe.
kenneth1955 charles40613
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Charles Listen to Jim he knows alot and why have a surgery if it not going to help. And just because it's try and tested it not a cure all. That is way new procedures are here. I read a post from one of the hospital that there is a 20% down on turps because men are doing the new procedure. They don't want the side effects. Which I don't blam them Take it easy Ken
charles40613 kenneth1955
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kenneth1955 charles40613
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That is the way the doctor are they think it's a fix all but sometime that is not true that is way on here there have been men that have to have it done more then once. I'm glad there are new procedure for men to try . They say no enough and it will change That will never be my cup of tea. Ken