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
lew82832 charles40613
Posted
Hi Charles, I just had a urolift today in Portland, Oregon. I was under with a general, it was quick but I was sent home with a catheter, which was painful so I pulled it out, now have been dribbling bloody pee.
Lew
kenneth1955 lew82832
Posted
Hey Lew
You should have left it in for a couple of days. When I had mine done that was the first time I had a catheter. Had it in for 3 days. Had no problem. They put it in because the swelling of the prostate so it would relax. Hope all works out for you..
Ken
petermiami kenneth1955
Posted
My catheter was so painful, that I couldn't wait to get it out after 24 hours. I guess some people tolerate them better than others. I always felt like I had to pee and then when I did, my bladder would contract or spasm and that was what was hurting. Plus, my catheter would leak blood and pee around the tube on occasions. Dr. said it would have been worse though for the first day if I had not had the catheter. Day 7 and I am pain free and no residual blood that I can see. Stream is getting stronger and more steady.
JohnGateshead lew82832
Posted
From what I understand, it's NOT a good idea just to "pull out" a catheter. They're generally held in by a balloon filled with water, which needs to be deflated. That means pulling one out could badly damage your urethra. After my Urolift I had to have a catheter for longer than I think was medically necessary. I hated it, but wasn't tempted to remove it myself for fear of the consequences.
44Edward charles40613
Posted
i had no catheter, they said it would be only if I could not pee . i was able to pee directly after surgery, , but had intense pain 7/10 upon initiating stream for 3 days. i had to hold on to the bathroom wall to steady myself. after that, far less pain and the memory of pain for a week but 2/6 intensity . now 1 month out no pain nor blood. stream more forceful, till waking up at night. though maybe one time less. at times i only pee 1/4 cup, but have peed 1.25 cup max. trying to retrain my bladder to hold it longer. but night time peeing still leaves ME WITH URGE TO PEE ,25-.5 cups.
john09076 44Edward
Posted
About 9 hours after my uro-lift, I was in the ER on my knees for a catheter.
Done with no numbing of any kind, I know they heard me on the 3rd floor.
I dumped out about 1300ml in 30 seconds. Cath was in for 4 days, removed and painful peeing (and walking) lasted about a week. Got less painful, but flow never really increased to what I had hoped.
9 months later I had green light done. I get the cath removed this afternoon. Hopefully I have better results, but some things my Dr said to my wife have me concerned about the out come already. I'm questioning my decisions a lot lately.......
HBinAZ charles40613
Posted
I'm looking into getting urolift done. My Dr. is saying that he wants to do a cystoscopy first to make sure I am a candidate. I have no problem with that but if cystoscopy shows I am a candidate, how come Dr. cannot do urolift right then and there instead of having to schedule a second trip? Has that also happened to anyone else?
Cactus_Michael HBinAZ
Posted
Mine were done separately. The cysto was enough pain for me for one day.
Plus I needed outpatient for the Urolift and not just getting it done in an office suite with barely any numbing.
Anyway, my Urolift FAILED. I'm in the 15 % failure rate, so now I had to go on meds.
44Edward HBinAZ
Posted
i had my cystoscopy done before. to make sure that the prostate did not protrude into the bladder, which may make the urolift less effective. if done at the same time, you may find you are not a candidate. mine was successful, with the result being a stronger stream and less getting up at nigh to pee.
44Edward
Posted
also the cystoscopy was done in office with minimal pain,no post cystoi. my urolift was done in outpatient, day surgery under sane sedation as a colonoscopy. in and out in a few hours.
Xerxes HBinAZ
Posted
The initial cysto is done to assure candidacy and anticipated benefit and is used for pre-authorization by insurers. I also am one of the 15% for whom the procedure eventually fails and I too have returned to pre-procedure meds. I have a total of six bands (three per lobe). My urologist would love to go back in in an attempt to see if an additional band per lobe might be in order but at this time my own cost/benefit analysis (cost=discomfort of the procedure, recovery time with associated discomfort) will have me wait an additional six months at which time we'll have the conversation again.
kenneth1955 Xerxes
Posted
Hey Buddy
Sorry that it is not working. They can go up to 8 claps. With 6 clips you should be open. Do you have a median lobe.
I hope it gets better for you...Ken
Xerxes kenneth1955
Posted
The original cysto ruled out a median lobe obstruction and my urologist believed that I was a good candidate for the procedure.
petermiami HBinAZ
Posted
my Dr ordered an MRI before my procedure. he did not do a cystoscopy until during the procedure.
HBinAZ petermiami
Posted
That's interesting petermiami. Thanks for sharing.