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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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  • jerry_06786
    jerry_06786 charles40613

    Posted

    How long should I wait before I drink coffee
    • george18730
      george18730 jerry_06786

      Posted

      Sorry Jerry, I gave up coffee years ago so I never posed the question to my Uro.  Maybe someone else on the forum could chime in on this one.  My uneducated guess is that it wouldn't hurt anything- it's just more liquid, but with a buzz.

      George

  • jerry_06786
    jerry_06786 charles40613

    Posted

     OK guys feel free to chime in how long before  SEX ? I know there’s going to be many different answers just curious
    • steve52719
      steve52719 jerry_06786

      Posted

      Hi Jerry, I was back in the saddle in 3-4 weeks...yes, it's possibe to wait that long..

      Honestly, The ejaculation is not the same, some slight pain..but tolerable. My Urologist said it will likely go away in time..Ease into it..

       

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 jerry_06786

      Posted

      Well there is going to be many different answers but it is really up to you.  I was told to wait till I saw my doctor 14 days.  But I did it in 10 I wanted to make sure my ejaculation was still there.  Ask your doctor.  If you read the internet they do tell you to wait for 30 days to give your prostate time to heal.  Ken 
  • Camster
    Camster charles40613

    Posted

    Just want to post this once more for new viewers.  Dr. Sandeep Bagla who did the first clinical study for prostate artery embolizations in the US has found a number of patients who underwent Urolift and had MRI afterwards to be running into an issue. The metal from the Urolift is interfering with the imaging and creating an artifact that could potentially interfere with diagnosis or staging of prostate cancer. He is putting together a manuscript on this.  If anyone with Urolift has had an MRI, he would like to include the imaging in his review.   Private message me and I can give you his contact information if you would like to help with his research.  Thanks  Cam
    • george18730
      george18730 Camster

      Posted

      I wonder if they controlled using the Urolift guidelines for conducting an MRI, or if the guidelines are even relevant to the outcome.  Everyone should have received a card after the procedure that gives the MRI technician instructions on how to set his or her machine,  From the manufacturer:

      Non-clinical testing has demonstrated that the UroLift Implant is MR Conditional. That means that you can be safely scanned in an MR system meeting the following conditions:

      Static magnetic field of 3 Tesla or less

      Maximum spatial gradient magnetic field of 1500 Gauss/cm (15 T/m) or less

      Maximum MR system reported, whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg (First Level Controlled Mode)

      Under the scan conditions defined above, the UroLift® is expected to produce a maximum temperature rise of 2.4°C after 15 minutes of continuous scanning.

      In non-clinical testing, the image artifact caused by the device extends approximately 15 mm from the UroLift® Implant when imaged with a gradient echo pulse sequence and a 3 Tesla MRI system.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 george18730

      Posted

      Hey George.  It has all the information on the back of my card.  Like you say.  If they fellow the information.  All should be fine..Ken
    • Camster
      Camster george18730

      Posted

      George,  If it poses any problem with diagnosing or staging of prostate cancer, Dr. Bagla is doing research on this.  Radiology is his specialty.  Hope everything is well.   Cam
  • jerry_06786
    jerry_06786 charles40613

    Posted

    Ok  two weeks later back to the gym no issues waking up 1 or 2 times a night compared to 3 to 5 so that in itself is a positive sometimes I still go 2 or more within an hour stream fluctuates . But again it’s only 2 weeks in  so I am pleased today I will stop the flowmax and next week I see th the doctor I will keep you  informed this site is very helpful the doctors perform the procedure but it’s up to us to help each other get through it !      

     happy new year 

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 jerry_06786

      Posted

      Yes Jerry  We have to stick together.  Doctors kind of not tell you everything.  I am glad that your getting off Flomax.  I hated it.  Was on it a couple of month's ago give me it for 9 days in the hospital.  Took 10 days to get back to normal.  I think you will be happy with the Urolift.  I'm going on 3 years and it great.  Take care  Ken 

  • charles40613
    charles40613

    Posted

    Good Morning

    I started this thread late 2014 and am now 3yrs 2 months into my Urolift procedure. I’ve given updates over that time so won’t repeat myself here. My problem is this and I’m wondering if anybody can share any knowledge.

    I paid the 5.1k to have the op done privately in the UK. That was very much based on a hunch that the op and expertise would become available on the NHS in time. A number of hospitals can now do it; I believe funding has been made available to fast track the procedure. However we are short of getting there in my area.

    My problem is ongoing monitoring, review and maintenance if that’s the word.

    What can go wrong with the implants? Do they need repositioning ever? Do they need tightening ever?  I read they can become encrusted so what is the way forward there? What are the issues down the line?

    I ask this because I sense I could have issues but am loathe to go back to it and pay privately if expertise is more readily available on the NHS. Has anybody had success with their local GP referring them to an out of area hospital?

    I guess it’s early days maybe. I may look at starting another thread on this?

     

    • chris73717
      chris73717 charles40613

      Posted

      Hello Charles,

      I was quoted 5.5k for the Urolift after enduring constant night time peeing sessions for years!.....If I could have afforded it I would have gone down that road. My urologist had never done that op but said the NHS was now considering it, so on 24/05/2017 he did the procedure and was overseen by a more experienced urologist from out of county......I was in general recovery when I was shown 2 photos taken of the prostate etc, but when requesting copies of these photos have been told they have gone missing!!...I normally wouldn't mind too much but sadly the Urolft has done nothing to relieve my symptoms....I contacted the Professor who was obviously in charge of my urologist, not only requesting the photos but also info on how many clips had been used and received no answer to my questions!.....

      I see from this forum that some patients receive a card after the op giving details of what was in their prostate now......I requested one from the surgeons but no luck there too!

      When I complained to my local urologist about lack of benefits resulting from the Urolift he then wanted to perform a bladder neck incision. with the possible result   that could spell the end of a reasonable or any sex life!!

      So my friend, as you can see at least I saved £5.5k, but maybe a more experienced urologist would have given a better result....

      Regards from a very fed up Chris.

    • mark02906
      mark02906 charles40613

      Posted

      Charles, you have hit on an important point - there needs to be more information available to consumers on long-term results of the different BPH procedures.  I had procedure about 10 or so years ago called TUNA (needle ablation).  As more urologists have moved on to other procedures, now I read that TUNA might have not been as successful as projected in fixing BPH problems.  If it will help future generations of men, I don't mind being a guinea pig.  However, there needs to be more statistical information on what works and for what types of physiology (i.e., different sizes of the prostate).

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 charles40613

      Posted

      Good afternoon.  I had the Urolift done in 2015 it's going on 3 years.  9 month's after I had to have one repaired.  My prostate got smaller and my doctor replace one and tighten the other 3 no other problem with the Urolift.  I live in Orlando.  Good luck  Ken 

    • charles40613
      charles40613 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Thanks Ken. Yes I've noticed we've been on here for a long time although I haven't for a year. Yours is the sort of info I am looking for. Do you know why your Doctor replaced one? Was it because your prostate got smaller? I didn't think that could happen?!

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 charles40613

      Posted

      No problem  What happen was I got a infection and he put me on Cispro for 30 day's.  When he checked 2 month's later. ( I have a stricture )      My stricture was ok but then he goes what's that.  I felt like saying you have camera? One of the clips was off.  Never even felt it.  He tried to put it on again but it hurt to bad.  I bled the rest of the day.  Had it fixed 2 week's later and he tighten the other 3.  I just had a ridged scope in the hospital and they are still in place and the prostate is wide open.  Sometime it does.  I was just the luck one I guess.  He told me that it could have be the cispro but he did not know for sure.  But It's doing great and I would not have any other procedure.  I will never have a man tell me I have to have my prostate cut out to pee better.  What kind of problem are you having.  My Urologist has done over 200 in the last 3 years.  I think I was number 20.  I also have talk to the company and the inventor of Urolift  Very nice guy.  Had a 45 minute 3 way call with him.  Ken     

    • jimjames
      jimjames mark02906

      Posted

      Mark,

      Yes, the study end points conveniently can term a procedure a success while a year later many relapse. Same with anecdotal info from your doctors. I think many doctors assume that after they do a procedure and then don't hear from the patient for many years that things went well. As many of us know, in many cases it just means the patient went to a different urologist for a better solution! When was the last time you got a phone call or an email from a doctor a year post this or that procedure, asking how you were still doing? Hey, when was the last time you got any call from a doctor, on any time frame, asking how you were doing smile They really either don't want to know, or they're just too busy moving on to the next thing. Your TUNA example is a good one. TUNA was the Rezum of it's day. We'll see how long Rezum lasts in the mix of things.

      Jim

    • mark02906
      mark02906 jimjames

      Posted

      You are right.  We need more than anecdotal information.  I had to design experiments.  I couldn't get away with not performing statistical evaluation.  Governments encourage low cost treatments ("Try generic Flomax first"wink to keep insurance costs down.  OK, I understand that.  But, at the same time they have the people to do the statistical evaluation of the different procedures.  OK, I'm off the soap box.  Take care.

    • Evdilos
      Evdilos chris73717

      Posted

       My  Uro Lift procedure took place some 16 months ago. The post procedure care was minimal. I wound  up in emergency three times in the first 10 days because of blood clots. The procedure did not result in any improvement in my conditions. Still get up three to four times at night and during the day have problems occasionally getting to  a bathroom quickly enough to urinate. Never got a card from the doctor noting the staple situation. I am still on Tamsulosin. . 

      Tony 

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 Evdilos

      Posted

      First of all the Urolift is doing it job your prostate is open.  You may have a problem with your bladder or it could be the Tamsulosin.  When I had mine done I had a catheter for 3 days because of what I read with men having it done and having to go to the ER because of the clogs.  I got a card from my doctor before I left the hospital.  With how many clips and the date of the surgery.  They should have giving you that  Ken  PS.  After the Urolift I did not take any meds.  
    • charles40613
      charles40613 kenneth1955

      Posted

      You will have read my posts before Kenneth and my many updates I started the thread The Urolift procedure; patient views and questions just over 3 years ago, I know you have replied to it before. Basically Urolift has not worked for me. I've just started a thread re TURPS and RE. I want to get to the bottom of some of these issues.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 charles40613

      Posted

      Charles.  So sorry that the Urolift is not working for you.  How many clips did you have put in.  Sometime they have to put in more.  There is a guy I here that had 4 clips put in it did not help him.  The doctor went back in and put 4 more.  Now he is fine.  Maybe it is not your prostate could be the bladder.  It will be 3 years for me next month.  My prostate is wide open.  I am having a little problem with my external sphincter it is to tight but I am deal with it.  As for TURP  it's the last resort procedure and it causes more problems.  That is one I will never have done.   I hope you fine something to help you.  Your the one that will have to deal with the side effects not the doctor he just move on to the next patient  Ken   

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