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
andrew23481 charles40613
Posted
I am 4 weeks post urolift and after two infections and two lots of anti-biotic am starting to feel more normal again. I still have pain/ache from the op; not passing urine any more, just a general ache on the right side behind the testicle and sometimes higher up. No idea what it is but I did experience a similar pain decades age after a rigid cystoscopy so I might just have to wait months for that to die down. My flow is improved and I feel my bladder is more comfortable after urinating than pre-op however frequency has not improved much; still up every two hours at night. Have to see how it goes but no miracle so far.
ted47548 andrew23481
Posted
Andrew- I find myself in a similar situation- 4 weeks post op and still getting up every hour to hour and a half because of pain. No pain whatsoever during the day, or when I am upright, but within an hour or so of going to bed, I have pain in the urinary tract. My doctor seems to think I am having incontinent issues, but to me it's just pure pain. Post op flow is very good so success there- no more flowmax or finesterol and associated horrid side effects so the operation seems successful except for the pain that wakes me up 5 or 6 times a night. I have no idea if this is normal- looking through this forum it seems to be uncommon. were you prescribed pain meds? Ibuprophen doesn't help much for me.
kenneth1955 ted47548
Posted
Hey Ted
Give yourself some time to heal. It does take time. Remember that all men are different and we all heal in different. It is the same when one man has a Turp and he heals in 2 weeks but some men take a year.
I had 4 clips in almost 4 years ago. I don't think I had a problem with pain after. I had the pain when the catheter was in. Just relax and take it easy. If laying flax causes you a problem. If you have a recliner sleep there for a few hours
The Urolift did what is suppose to do. Help you pee better and got you off the pills.
Good luck.........................Ken
ted47548 kenneth1955
Posted
Thanks Ken- not much info about post op experiences that I can find. I went back to work a week after surgery (light duty) and have continued to be active since my pain only visits me when laying down. It's just that I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in over a year now and it's making me a little goofy. My Dr. wasn't very communicative regarding what to expect after surgery and I had it in my head that a couple of weeks would be sufficient to heal up and hopefully start sleeping better. He's refusing to give me any pain meds- which is probably for the better in the long run.
Anyway- thanks for the encouragement.
Ted
kenneth1955 ted47548
Posted
Ted.
That is not right . Your doctor should have giving you something. Try something over the counter maybe that will help. Just try to relax. I know I like to take a hot bath before bed. It helps me relax.
Just take it easy it will get better
Ken
andrew23481 kenneth1955
Posted
Hi Ted,
No pain meds. My pain is different in that it is there all the time but fairly low level so maybe only a 1 or 2 out of 10; always on the right side. Not in the urethra though; its like having a very sensitive testicle or pelvic floor in that region. It can hurt when lying down and I have to shuffle around to find a more comfortable way of lying down.
I don't know if this is bruising from the urolift or something to do with the inserts themselves. However as I said above, I had a similar pain years ago after a rigid cystoscopy that eventually faded after many months so it could be a similar trauma of some sort.
kenneth1955 andrew23481
Posted
Andrew
Good name I have a older brother by that name
It does take some time if you have had any trauma in that area. Since you have had some sensitivity with have a cystoscopy It may take a little while. You also may be having a little problem with Prostatitis. I deal with that sometimes
I have never felt the clips even when one got loose. Been 3 1/2 years still wide open
Take it easy and relax................Ken
andrew23481 charles40613
Posted
Oh forgot to mention. I now have an appointment for me three-month follow-up however it is not with the Urologist that did the op but just with a nurse. I guess I wont get to see the Uro again on the NHS.
kenneth1955 andrew23481
Posted
Andrew
I saw your post and I have to ask. Why are you not seeing the doctor for your 3 month follow up. I have always see my doctor never just the nurse.
Take care Ken
andrew23481 kenneth1955
Posted
Its because its the NHS; you just see who they say you see. If I want to see the urologist I could request it but no guarantees; or I could pay privately but once I go down that road then the NHS would be reluctant to take me back on for free for the same issues.
kenneth1955 andrew23481
Posted
I guess you have to do what you have to. It's best not to make wave's Hope all works out for you
Ken
andyacko kenneth1955
Posted
Hey Ken played tennis again and bleeding again Would have thought after7 weeks l would be fine Looks like l need to take it easy for 12 weeks There goes my tennis game . The bleeding stops quickly must be tge stretching that effects the clips?
kenneth1955 andyacko
Posted
Andy
That is from the bladder neck. It's going to be more time every time to bleed you are causing more scare tissue. Please take it easy. At least 12 weeks could be more...
Ken
kenneth1955 andyacko
Posted
Hey there Andy
Just checking on you. I still worry about you and what you are going through. Did the bleeding stop. I hope so.
Like I told you. It may take longer for you to heal, Stay away for the tennis for a while
Ken
andyacko kenneth1955
Posted
Hi Ken, made mistake of playing tennis about 2 weeks ago came home and bled quite badly Rang urologist he failed to call back how typical spoke with nurse he told her l need to stop tennis and have not bled since. I asked her was it the clips or green light She thinks the clips could tear the tissue after all l had 8. l still worry about frequency and urgency can be disruptive to normal life. l am now 2 months in. l will give it 3 months and review A bit disappointed in the after sales service from urolog ist . All tge best for Christmas Ken and the New Year. Cheers, Andy
kenneth1955 andyacko
Posted
Andy Of course they are going to blame the Urolift. After 4 weeks the clips a here to the prostate. You can do anything they are not going to more. I just found out from my doctor for another guy. He ask if he fell skiing hard would he have a problem. And that is a no. The clips are going to stay where there at.
I think it is what he did do your bladder neck. You are going to take a long time to heal. because you did it before you were healed It is going to take months. I am sorry you are going through this but. You have to live and learn on your own.
Good lick have a great holiday.....Ken