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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

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  • 44Edward
    44Edward charles40613

    Posted

    I am 9 days post UROLIFT, no more pain with initiation of stream. still feeling as if i have more to evacuate. My concern now is my frequency and low amount of urine. I pee 1/4 cup or more of urine, maximum 1 & 1/4 cup (though thats rare). My stream seems to be Stronger. And I do not see any more bleeding. . And I do not see any more bleeding.

    I am trying to retrain my bladder to hold more urine. I am not on any urinary drugs.

    I have a follow up appointment with the urologist in about a week. And will discuss this with him.

    EDWARD

  • petermiami
    petermiami charles40613

    Posted

    I am 67 years old and I had my Urolift performed on Feb 27, 2019 in outpatient surgery at a hospital in Miami. I am now 5 days post op. Procedure seemed easy as it was performed at 8 am and I was released to go home by 11 am. The twilight drug to put me under for the procedure was wonderful and appreciated. I was told I had 4 pins put in (2 on each side) during the Urolift. My Dr. uses a catheter after the procedure and recommends it for a minimum of 1 day as tolerated or as needed which I did. The 24 hour catheter was painful for me (to urinate due to bladder spasm) and it leaked some blood out around the tube and became a mess at times. I requested a painkiller and was prescribed percocet. I only needed to take the percocet until the catheter was removed (only took 4 percocet in 24 hours and no other pain or other medicines). Dr said not having catheter would have been worse. I couldn't wait to get that catheter out.

    The various drugs (twilight drug , antibiotics during surgery and percocet) seem to cause constipation still to this day, but the stool softeners seem to help. I am trying to eat a diet that will lessen any constipation.

    I am still bleeding some on urination now, but it seems to be getting better each day. I have been drinking lots of fluids during the day, but refrain from any fluids after about 8 pm. I am still getting up during the night to urinate about 3-4 times. Dr. says we can discuss a FDA approved nasal spray named Noctiva to reduce nocturia if symptoms are not relieved in a couple of weeks. I seem to be able to hold my bladder for about 1-2 hours during the day before I get the sudden urge to pee . At night I am averaging every 2 hours right now. However, one night I was able to sleep 4 hours straight without going to pee.

    Dr. appointment to follow up is 3 weeks after surgery. I was advised no heavy lifting, squatting or straining to include bowel movements, but alcoholic beverages were allowed after 3 days post op. I don't remember any counseling on sex, but had an erection today that was painful, so I will discuss with Dr., but suspect this is normal for a while due to catheter trauma and the Urolift procedure.

    I was advised by the Dr. that when I pee, I need to work on retraining my muscles. I was told to start peeing and then stop it several times while I void. My stream seems to be stronger and I am getting better at controlling the urge to pee during the day.

    Before the procedure, I was suffering from BPH for about 5 years, I tried Cialis 5mg for 4 years and tamsulosin .4mg for about 2 years, but the dizziness I was experiencing from the tamsulosin was too much for a really active outdoor lifestyle. After the Urolift and cystoscopy, the Dr said my enlarged prostrate was really blocking my urethra and the bladder looked in rough shape and I definitely needed the procedure.

    I have resumed most all activities that do not require any strenuous activity. I am sure I will have some up and down days, but I am looking forward to positive results. I will post any updates and progress in the coming days.

    • george18730
      george18730 petermiami

      Posted

      Your experience seems pretty normal believe it or not. Hang tough Peter, you're going to be really happy is a couple of weeks.

    • bob75564
      bob75564 petermiami

      Posted

      Yes...give it some time. Every man's healing path, after Urolift, seems different. Rest up and see how it progresses. Good luck.

  • endeavor53
    endeavor53 charles40613

    Posted

    Hi Charles; I'm 65 years old and have been taking Flomax for several years now to help my urine flow. The flomax, however, ruins my orgasm and ejaculation. I only have to get up once or twice at night to pee, depending on how much I've had to drink before bedtime. I do have urgency and a feeling of not complete emptying. My urine flow is pretty good most of the time, but not always. Not sure why it differs.

    I'm thinking of having the Urolift procedure soon, mostly to improve orgasm feeling. My doctor said he would put in 6 pins, 3 on each side, obviously. I'm wondering if you or anyone else who has had the procedure can answer the following questions.

    1. Have your orgasms improved, if they were not great like mine?
    2. Does the feeling of urgency go away?
    3. Does the feeling of not feeling completely empty after urinating go away?
    4. Is there any continuing pain or uncomfortableness in the prostate or surrounding areas after time?
    5. Is your urine flow strong?
    6. How long did it take for all pain and problems to resolve after surgery?

    Anything else you can think of, I forgot to mention, I'd appreciate advice on.

    Thank you very much.

    Glenn

    • ramblin
      ramblin endeavor53

      Posted

      Every procedure is a crapshoot. Some people benefit while others do not. I had a 5 pin urolift last October. It had no effect, good or bad, on my erection or ejaculation. It also did not solve my nocturia, and my frequency and urgency increased. Also, you will hear that most have very little residual pain. I had eight weeks of excruciation pain, that felt like a cockleburr was stuck at the site of the procedure. It also caused me to begin chronic constipation, which I have never had before. Do your research.

    • bob75564
      bob75564 endeavor53

      Posted

      I agree with Ramblin... You may get feedback from many urolift patients, but it doesn't guarantee you will know how your results will be. I had little to no pain a couple weeks after urolift (5 staples). It improved both frequency and urgency. It improved nocturia to once or not at night. It had no impact to erection or orgasm. I am in my 4th year post-urolift and still benefit from the procedure. But, read the forum and you will read many differing experiences. Good luck. Bob

    • petermiami
      petermiami endeavor53

      Posted

      Glenn, I am only 6 days post op and will try to answer a few questions.

      1. Dr tells me I need to wait 2 weeks while healing. he tells me they should get better, but I was on tamsulsolin (generic flomax) and hated it.
      2. My sense of urgency is diminishing each day now more and more since the surgery.
      3. I seem to empty my bladder now and don't have a full feeling.
      4. I never felt any pain in the prostrate after the procedure, but there was some pain for 3 to 4 days while the urethra was healing from the trauma caused by the catheter, cystoscopy and the device that puts the pins in. I only had 4 pins.
      5. My flow is getting better, but then again I am still healing. Some days it is stronger than others.
      6. I am pretty much pain free 6 days post surgery.

        GOOD LUCK

        Peter.

    • george18730
      george18730 endeavor53

      Posted

      If you do not have any other underlying conditions the procedure should:

      Have your orgasms improved, if they were not great like mine? Stopping the Flomax will revive you sex life, at least, it did mine.

      Does the feeling of urgency go away? Yes

      Does the feeling of not feeling completely empty after urinating go away? Yes

      Is there any continuing pain or uncomfortableness in the prostate or surrounding areas after time? I had a felling of pressure (not really pain) for a month or two but it went away.

      Is your urine flow strong? Better but does varies

      How long did it take for all pain and problems to resolve after surgery? Give it a month ~

      Good luck!

    • petermiami
      petermiami bob75564

      Posted

      Bob, is what you are saying that "It had no negative impact to erection or orgasm"? Thank you.

    • george18730
      george18730

      Posted

      Sorry, I meant to say getting off the Flomax will revive you sex life.

    • bob75564
      bob75564 petermiami

      Posted

      Peter, Sorry if I was unclear. I had no issues with erection/organism prior to urolift and urolift created no negative impact. So, no change. Bob

    • endeavor53
      endeavor53 petermiami

      Posted

      Peter; Thank you for all that information. It is now more time since your surgery. How are thing going for you now? Did you have any improvement with orgasm now that you are off Tamsolosin, and from the Urolift?

      Glenn

    • petermiami
      petermiami endeavor53

      Posted

      Hi Endeavor53, it has been approx 30 days post op. I couldn't be happier. I have been off tamsolosin since a month or two before the surgery. Ejaculations are improving day by day. Never really had an erection problem. After post op day 7 bleeding ceased and began feeling better each day. I began having sex again 12 days post op. I was peeing 3 to 4 times a night prior to surgery and I am now peeing one time during the night and sometimes not at all while sleeping. The stream is now real strong and urges to pee are non existent unless I haven't peed in a long time. Dr says I will keep improving up to 6 to 8 weeks. I am real happy and consider this the best course of action for me.

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