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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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  • dan64553
    dan64553 charles40613

    Posted

    Good for you J94114! I had my done 2 weeks ago, I love it, question to you, did your doctor advise you that you may need laxative? I have problem with bowel movement after urolift and I was not taking pain med like hydrocodone. My doctor told me to take laxative for one month. I remember Tim the retired rph mentioned that he had to take senokot which is a natural laxative.

    does anyone has similar problem with bowel movement after urolift, please comment so that current or future urolift patient could take a note. Thanks

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 dan64553

      Posted

      Good morning Dan.  When I had my Urolift done 2 1/2 years ago my doctor gave me a stool softener.  Because they do not want you to force yourself for the first month.  They want the implant to a hear to the prostate.  They also say the same about sex none for a month.  I had no problem took the pill for about a week and I have been fine  Good luck  Ken
    • j94114
      j94114 dan64553

      Posted

      Constipation seems a common side effect of surgery in general and obviously straining and pressure on the prostate isn't going to do much good. If people have a tendency towards constipation or an irregular bowel, then a laxative for a while isn't going to do any harm.

       

    • jerry_06786
      jerry_06786 dan64553

      Posted

      I only had UROLIFT done yesterday but bowel movement  is fine  when did you start having problems 
  • paul96555
    paul96555 charles40613

    Posted

    >>Constipation seems a common side effect of surgery in general

    ? - well it's certainly a common effect of oramorph, even one tablet slows the gut down, you can end up if they don't give laxative WITH the oramorph, with appalling constipation that lasts days, your poos finally come out dehydrated hard as oversized bullets, pale clay colour, smelling like an egyptian toilet, and their rotting whilst sitting inside you can, some say, make you ill.  Nurses never seem to know to give laxative WITH oramorph.  They should know that

  • ultgar
    ultgar charles40613

    Posted

    2nd Generation UroLift ??   I had a cystoscopy a few weeks ago and my doctor suggested UroLift for my BPH symptoms.  Before the cystoscopy, he was leaning towards the Rezum treatment. My prostate has shrunk in size from 72cc down to 38cc as I've been on Avodart for 2+ years.  

    I want to get off all the meds and have a consult with my doctor tomorrow. In preparing my questions, I just found out that that the 2nd gen system is coming out next year.  I may want to postpone my procedure. I've sent an email to the company questioning the changes in their system. Here's a quote from their website....

    "Importantly, while we believe NeoTract has compelling growth opportunities as they continue to penetrate the market with their existing product, we look forward to potential longer-term benefits from their second generation UroLift® System, which is expected to launch in the second half of 2018..."

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 ultgar

      Posted

      Going to have to read up on it or talk with my doctor that did mine to see what is the difference.  I would go a head and have it done so you done get any worse.  It may be coming out in 2018 but will the new one be a proved by FDA in 2018  Ken   
    • paul96555
      paul96555 ultgar

      Posted

      This is fascinating.  There are a lot of press reports around Teleflex taking over Neotract in July 2017, for example the article in the Financial Times, and all of them refer to potential longer-term benefits from their second generation UroLift® System, which is expected to launch in the second half of 2018?, and they seem to think it will sell much better.  My thoughts when deciding between urolift and holep (my uro' offered both) were, urolift in principle is great, very quick recovery no retro, but has a much lower success rate in relation to LUTS than Holep/Turp/PVP, not really proven to be enduring, many patients not suitable, and not properly removable as they can only remove the innermost tabs, leaving the sutures and outer tabs in place.  Also the tabs being metal, each obscure 16mm so that a future 3T-MPMRI can't really do its job.  If the new version, which I expect will have a completely new name, overcomes most or all of those (e.g. no need for the tabs to really be made of metal, then if not metal, no MRI obscuration if you ever need one post-Urolift...), it could be a game-changer and make the choice much easier.  It could blow the competition ... PAE, Holep/Turp/PVP?, TUNA etc .... clean out of the water.  What a shame we have to wait for more details. 

    • george18730
      george18730 ultgar

      Posted

      I'm with Ken on this one.  I had the procedure done about 5 weeks ago and things are getting better every day. I was on the meds for 5+ years and didn't realize how badly they affected my daily life.  I waited 6 months to turn 65 so Medicare would cover the costs.  Had I known how much better I would feel off of the meds I would have gladly paid the $6K-$8K out of pocket just for those 6 months.  I started blaming my low libido on aging but it was all on the pills.  I'm chasing my poor wife around the house as if we just got married.  I also don't get dizzy every time I stand up too fast (a real problem at the gym).  Oh, and I'm only getting up once a night to urinate instead of 3-5 times- what's that worth.  Anyway, that's my two cents.

    • ultgar
      ultgar paul96555

      Posted

      One of the customer service reps from Neotract called me and said the implant will be the same but the delivery device is being improved. This will make it easier for the doctor.  The comment on their website is very ambiguous......... "potential longer-term benefits from the 2nd Generation system" .  That implies benefits to the patient.  The rep still needs to get back to me with clarification.  I'll post any updates I receive from Neotract.

    • dan64553
      dan64553 ultgar

      Posted

      So far everyone has had good result with urolift, why wait for another year? If you decide on urolift which I love so much, do not wait for 2 nd  generation. Just make sure the urologist has plenty experience with this procedure. Good luck!
    • j94114
      j94114 dan64553

      Posted

      Well, not everyone. If you read through forums there are quite a few people who have had problems or minimal benefit. The research shows that in terms of some sympton relief, urolift is goo, but not as good as more invasive procedures. You have to be a good candidate and have a bit of luck on your side.
    • paul96555
      paul96555 ultgar

      Posted

      they would say that wouldn't they ....they are a profit making organisation and if they said the new implant was going to be better to the punters, as opposed to what they say to investors, then many men would wait and sales of urolift would plummet in the meantime

    • AZBill
      AZBill j94114

      Posted

      Good point on candidacy. There have been a number of posts here where I suspect that the dissatisfaction with the result had to do with one or another criteria being borderline or not met at all.
    • dan64553
      dan64553 AZBill

      Posted

      Agree on the point of candidacy, I myself have no adversary side effect. I would say a good knowledgeable urologist is critical for the success.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 j94114

      Posted

      J  There are good and bad in all procedure.  But I would rather have the Urolift a less evasive procedure to see if it work then have my prostate cut out and it does not work.  What the doctor going to do put it back.  No your screwed.  There was just a 5 year study on Urolift all patient are doing well and no side effects.   If you have read any of the fail Urolift they had more bladder problem then prostate.  Ken    
    • george18730
      george18730 j94114

      Posted

      I think there is something that we all need to keep in mind.  And that is, the vast majority of people that visit forums, especially medical forums, are those that are looking for advance information and those that are having difficulty and are looking for answers to their problems.  Most people that have had a successful procedure don't come back to share their experience.  When you're motivated for answers you're willing to put in the effort to ask questions.  When you've gotten what you need, you're gone- this is human nature. That said, I agree that proper screening for a procedure like the Urolift (or any other procedure for that matter) is imperative.  I think there are urologists that get a little cavalier and do not adhere to the manufactures strict guidelines regarding the procedure which ultimately results in failure.  Also, many Urolift patients have other underlying conditions that cause the procedure to fail or have no effect.  For those of us that were properly screened our results are well beyond some symptom relief. 

    • ultgar
      ultgar george18730

      Posted

      I agree.  Screening is important.  A TR ultrasound to determine size and a cystoscopy to check for a large (obstructive) median lobe.
    • dan64553
      dan64553 george18730

      Posted

      Agree! I am only 3 weeks post urolift procedure, I am feeling fine, I do not mind share my future experience with potential orolift procedure candidate. I admire Ken1955 opinions and share his experience 2 and half years post procedure. 
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 dan64553

      Posted

      Thanks Dan. I would do Urolift again  Take care  Ken  
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