The Urolift procedure; patient views and questions

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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

    Andy:

    FYI, I had stinging at the tip for at least a week or two. There was a lot of trauma from the instruments use to perform the procedures. It will go away so hang in there. Your doctor may know exactly what he wanted to do and why and you may have a terrific outcome after everything heals.

  • Posted

    I had a UROLIFT procedure yesterday, Oct. 18, by Dr. Parres of Urology Consultants in Maryville, IL. My insurance did cover it, but I don't yet know what my cost was. Mine was performed outpatient, with general anasthetic. He inserted 5 clips. I was sent home with a prescription for Tramadol (four days) and Levoflaxacin (three days). I live in Alton, and used an Uber to go over and come back (accompanied by my wife). Everything went pretty well, except for an accident on the interstate on the way back that turned a 30 minute ride into an hour and 15.

    I woke up with a Foley, but they took it out after about an hour. I wore a pad home, and there was some bloody leakage, but not bad. Urinating is still painful, but the blood is nearly gone. I had to self cath in the middle of the night last night, and it was quite bloody. I've been told to drink a lot of water, but I plan to cut it off by 8:00 pm so I can sleep. I've been told not to lift more than 15 pounds for seven days, or have any sexual activity.

    I will post again after a few days.

    • Posted

      Ramblin, Good luck. Rest and drink water. I had mine in Feb 2016. I also had 5 clips, and things are still going well. Take care and let us know how things progress. Bob

    • Posted

      Please take it easy. No lifting or sex for 4 weeks. They want the clips to a hear to the prostate Good luck Ken

  • Posted

    Two and half weeks and the infection has come back. About 3 days after stopping the previous antibiotics I had shivering and a temperature over 39 degrees and feeling flu-like. Also flow was very poor having been good after the urolift. Have now got some different antibiotics for 7 days; co trimoxazole 160/ 800. Not feeling great. Up about every 1 to 2 hours in the night again to pee. Still feeling sore and uncomfortable to sit in one position for long.

    • Posted

      Andrew there are ups and downs. I decided after a month l was fit to play tennis I then had a bleed which shocked me decided to take it easy had some bleeding again the next day but cleared quickly. Then started frequency and urgency along with burning pain after peeing. Thought could be infection took antibiotics did not help.took some ural which seemed to help and frequency improved. Thought l may have been suffering from uretha stricture. not sure. I see my surgeon again today.. It really is a rollercoaster ride. No quick fix. Andy.

    • Posted

      Thanks Andy. I am waiting to see how this lot of anti-biotics do. I stilll have quite a lot of pain down below, around the area behind the testicles and also possibly the right testicle is tender; is that usual? I once had a rigid cystoscopy and had similar pain for months after and no-one could say why so I am assuming this is the same sort of thing. After months it did fade.

      I am not scheduled to see my Uro for 3 months

    • Posted

      Good afternoon Andrew

      Sorry to hear you still have a infection. Andy is a little different then you. He had 2 procedure done. He had the Urolift with 8 clips and also he had a laser cutting of the bladder neck. ( There are men in the UK that are fighting a doctor there that mess them up it has been over a year for them still problems )

      With your problem. Has your doctor check to see if maybe you have a case of prostatitis. Ever man is differen and heal in different ways. The procedure could have activated it we never know

      Good Luck Ken

    • Posted

      Seeing a doctor?? We are lucky to talk to one on the phone. Regular appointments are booked up for about a month. For an emergency you can see someone.

      What would a check for prostatitis involve and what would the symptoms be? The pain I have is the same as I had right after I came round from the anaesthetic; just a bit less now. Like I say, I experienced similar with a rigid cystoscopy decades ago so maybe its just my anatomy doesn't like being poked about.

      I dont wish to 'fight' my Uro; I think he did a good job as far as possible. There are no guarantees that Urolift will work just probabilities that it will.

    • Posted

      Ken saw my surgeon the other day he is happy with my progress he said it takes about 8- 12 weeks to feel better he said a bit of bleeding is no concern it is just new tissue trying to repair itself. He told me he has used up to 16 clips on one patient and it worked fine The makers of urolift are coming to see him he is an innovative surgeon and l have confidence in his work my symptoms are slowly improving only up twice at night which l can live with. burning pain less and so is frequency and urgency.

    • Posted

      Andy

      I am very happy that it is working out for you but if you would have had just the Urolift done you would have been healed in 4 weeks

      That you for telling be about the makers of Urolift. I will get a hold of the company and let them know. I wrote a e-mail yesterday to the company and one of the inventor on be half of the 10 men in the UK that are not happy with the procedure

      After a year they are still in pain and they all ware pads to take care of the leaking

      I was also told that one of the doctor's in Australia a doctor Peter Chin had some problem with some of his patients to

      I wish you well. PS Never heard of 16 clips. They only recommend 8 in the booklet

      Ken

    • Posted

      Hi Ken passed my first blood clot last night my stinging instantly disappeared so did my urgency and frequency. Thought l should be fine now. Passed more blood in urine in morning. Decided to keep diary on my progress so l can relate to surgeon rather than rely on memory. Hope l am on the path to good health. It is certainly a lot slower than l thought. Surgeon said could be anything from 8_ 12 weeks. I am 6 weeks in now.

    • Posted

      Andy

      I'm glad that you are doing better.

      Having the bladder neck incision done is causing you the longer healing time. It would be a good idea to keep a diary on the progress because he never told you about any of the healing time or side effects.

      There was never a trail done on the 2 procedure together so they have no data on it. They do have it on them by there self. Healing time, urgency, frequency and the side effects. It will be also good to put done that you have been getting a erection and when you try it out if you end up with retro ejaculation.

      This data will be key.

      Take careKen

  • Posted

    I am 4 weeks post urolift and doing fantastic. I have however developed a puzzling issue. Every couple hours I experience this split second urge to pee . It hits and i think 'crap, I gotta pee' but then its gone. It lasts like 1/2 a second. Just a jolt and its gone. Anyone else experience this or know what it might be?

  • Posted

    .Your post helped me as I am contemplating Urolift and am very apprehensive. The Turps are to harsh and hope you post you progress

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