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
jack28391 charles40613
Posted
I tuned into your discussion late but somewhat got the drift of our conversations by following the thread and am hoping as a guy of 76 yrs. of age that my contribution might help? I had my urolift procedure done in a Montana Hosptial just over a year ago. Healing following the surgery after I was sent home with a catheter was slow. In about a month after removal of the catheter which I wore for 5 days post surgery at home, things got much better. I urinate once a night compared to multiple times before the Urolift procedure. My Urologist wanted me to come back for follow up. I have not done so, because I am a cheap skate
and don't need to embelish my Urologist's Bank Account. I term my Urolift as completely successful. Any fear of having to re do things is moot as far as I am concerned. I am relieved I qualified for this wonderful new surgery. If I have problems i will go back to my Urologist but it does not appear I will ever need to. Two other Montana Urologists tried to throw a wet blanket on my havng the Urolift. I figured the reason they did do everyting they knew how, to discoourage me and strike fear into me over Urolift, was because they were not qualifited to do Urolift and their bank accounts were involved. I am grateful beyond words I had the surgery. This may help to allay some of your fears. Blessings and good health from Montana. Sincerely Yours, Jack.
frank54156 charles40613
Posted
Just completed all the necessary pre op tests and am looking forward to getting the Uro Lift installed. I have been living on Avodart for the past 4 years and it is time to get my life back. I have a very well known Urologist who has done this procedure many times. He laid out all the risks and the possible benefits and left the final choice up to me.Hopefully this will allow me to stop the medications and get back to a normal sex life. I'm 70 years old so if I can get 5 years out of this I will be happy.
robert88492 frank54156
Posted
I am 71 and had a Urolift done in Montreal in November, my first ever procedure on my prostate. In doing the cystoscopy, they discovered a stone in my bladder, because I wasn't emptying, so they removed that at the same time. I had six titanium staples inserted, three on each side. I was told the procedure was a complete success.
I ended up having to be catheterized three times over thirteen days, because I could not pee when the catheter was removed. Then I developed a UTI which took four weeks to get rid of, as Macrobid could not do the job even though it registered as being sensitive. I finally was switched to Monurol and it worked in about ten days, although it gave me nasty diarrhea.
Now my bladder registers as empty or close to at all times. My urine flow is somewhat better. However, although there are some nights I get up twice to pee, there are others where I still have to get up four, five or six times. This was the purpose of doing the Urolift in the first place. So, I would rate the procedure as being of limited success with awful side effects for six weeks after.
george18730 frank54156
Posted
Hello Frank:
I would like to counter poor Robert's experience with my complete success. I had the usual 4 clips installed and a catheter inserted for three days as a precaution. A lot of burning and worry for a week or two and then things very gradually got better. The doctor said to give it two months to see real results and he was correct. He also told me I could see slight results out to six months and that was true also, although harder to gauge because it was so gradual. It's been life-changing for me. My nocturia has gone from 3-5 times a night to once, and occasionally none. I was able to stop taking Tamsulosin and Finasteride right after the surgery and my libido came back as it was 7+ years ago before I started taking the drugs- no more retro ejaculation, yay! Remember, for every one failure you read about on the forum, there are probably 100 successes you do not hear about. Let us know how you're doing after the procedure.
Good luck,
George
mark02906 frank54156
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kenneth1955 frank54156
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Evdilos robert88492
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Sorry about your negative experience with the Uro-lift procedure. It is very similar to mine. Apart from going to the emergency room on three occasions in the week following the procedure I still take tamulosin and pee at least three times a night. It has been one and a half years. I am considering other options.
Tony
kenneth1955 Evdilos
Posted
I am so sorry that you Robert had a bad time with the Urolift. Every man is different. But if the prostate was your problem it should have done its job. Make a tunnel. That is all the others procedures do. When I had mine done I had a catheter put in for 3 days. after it came out I was good to go. My prostate swell a little but it was down from the procedure. I think every man should have a catheter when he as any procedure to help the prostate relax and heal. And I would rather have a catheter put in when I am out they have it put in when I'm a wake. They also may not have put in enough clips. I had 4 put in and I have know men to have up to 8. It all depends on the size. I my self would never have any other procedure done. It has been 3 year and I am still wide opened. Take care Ken
Evdilos kenneth1955
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Your comments ar extremely useful. I am going to inquire about the number of staples my doctor deployed in the procedure. Unlike many of the participants on this list I was not issued a card with information about staples. My doctor was introducing the urolift to this semi-urban area. I suspect I was somewhat of an experimental case.
Tony
kenneth1955 Evdilos
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robert88492 charles40613
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Yes, I forgot to say that I still take Tamulosin (Flomax) twice a day. Otherwise my flow would be no better. It is true that removing the bladder stone at the same time as conducting the Urolift caused additional swelling that may have explained the lengthy period of catheterization. Nevertheless the Urolift has not been a success in my case. I believe, however, that getting up at night to pee has psychological aspects to it. I have now been advised to "train my bladder" through biofeedback and other such techniques. Because now that my bladder empties and the Urolift with six staples did its job according to the doctor, there is no logical explanation as to why, on many nights, I have to get up three or more times.
john_14065 robert88492
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Seriously. J
robert88492 john_14065
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Thanks but I can't take anti-inflammatories. My only other condition is Afib, which has me on 5mgs f Eliquis every 12 hours. Bob.
kenneth1955 robert88492
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Bob Why have you not taking care of your A-Fib. I had a 9 hour ablation done November of 2016. He burn the whole life side of my heart. It is over a year and I have not had anymore problem. @ weeks after I went off Eliquis. I will be having my monitor taking out of my chest with in a few month's I don't need it. Think about it. 2016 I was in the hospital 9 time for it Ken
robert88492 charles40613
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kenneth1955 robert88492
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Bob. Can you tell me why you are still on the med's for you A-Fib. I did not take anything after a month off all pills. I have not had any problems in over a year. I do take Brilinta for a stent they put in but I see my heart doctor next month. He may take me off of it. I will know in April. Do you still have the attack's. Ken