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
Bbs1960 charles40613
Posted
the healing process seems to go in stages, yesterday urinated like a fire hose today i guess because of being a little swollen the stream is weaker. Painful to sit to much and get a pinching feeling inside guess that is getting used to the metal tabs
Deltoid Bbs1960
Posted
Yes, I know what you mean. Another thing I experienced was a hightened sense of urgency. When I had to go, it came on fast. When my zipper was down, I was peeing immediately.
Bbs1960 Deltoid
Posted
passing clots today, couple large others medium sized
Retiredmxer charles40613
Posted
im wondering if we even had the same procedure.
im writting this 2 hours after my procedure.
done under local anesthesia.
first 3 syringes of lidocain inserted into your penis....bareley noticed that.
then two syringes injected (needle) into the space between your butt and base of scrotum.
this was uncomfortable to say the least.
a 4 on a 1-10 scale with ten being cant take it.
then the procedure:
the scope for the Urolyft is ridgid not like the camera scope thats flexible. evidently everone is different.
my "angle" through prostate into bladder was steep and prostate very vascular. that makes pushing a ridgid 18" steel rod feel pain, real pain. 7-9 pain.
my prostate required 6 Urolyft staples.
the first 2 excrutiating painful (8-9 of 10) the last 4 marginally less (7-8)
i have significant bleeding requiring a catheter for next 2-3 days.
the thought of moving at all is torture right now.
i play golf and basetball and run regularly.
i dont think im going to live to play again at the moment
now....
about me and my pain tollerance for perspective
62 yo ex pro motocross racer.
broken neck, jaw, arms, ribs , scapula, nose.....hundreds of stitches, 2 spinal taps, weekly 3 hour transfusions for a couple years. multiple surgeries shoulder (both)
face and sinus/nose.
the idea of doing this WITHOUT general (getting put out) i wouldnt even consider again in a million years.
possibly my anotomical circumstances are unique.
Do the GENERAL or dont do it.
andyacko Retiredmxer
Posted
sounds horrendous had mine done under general no pain with 8 clips and catheter one day ****
Chiefton Retiredmxer
Posted
I agree 100% with what you say. I also have a high pain tolerance but at least you got a ton more than I did prior to the surgery. I only got a half of a pain shot and some numbing gel which only numbed about the first 2 inches. Nothing else. This procedure should be done with minimally propofol to knock you completely out. Anything less is torture of the patient. By not doing it, it puts more money in the pockets of the doctors and hospitals as they are now paid lump sum payments. Animals are treated better at vet clinics.
Ess_Kay Retiredmxer
Posted
You deserve a medal.. I had mine done 9 months ago.. if i was unable to have a general anaesthetic I would not have even considered having it done.
Bbs1960 charles40613
Posted
when you went to tour after procedure appt what did the Dr go over and do?
one week after procedure still a little sore no blood for 2 days now
stephen57207 charles40613
Posted
Gents, I had the Urolift two months ago and kept using Flomax. I was happy with the result during this period. I had a two month checkup on Monday and told the doc I was still using Flomax, he said I didn't need to. I stopped for one day and found that I was NOT peeing the way I expected so, I have gone back onto the Flomax and it seems to be fine.
Have any of you experienced this as well?
I was certainly disappointed that I had to go back onto Flomax but after reading several posts I see that some continue as well.
Any thoughts?
SDP
emmet12375 stephen57207
Posted
flomax is horrible stuff when u take it your body stops producing semen
and you should be able to pee normally right after the procedure the main problem with the procedure i had/have after 4 years is the pain and urinary tract discomfort it sucks
bert33901 emmet12375
Posted
I'm sorry you are still having pain, especially after 4 years. What does your doc say about that? Have you had a cystoscopy to determine if there are any visible causes? I had the procedure in September and have pain just prior to urine coming out. Is that similar to yours?
kenneth1955 emmet12375
Posted
Emmet
Yes I would like to know what the doctor said about that. I am going on 5 years never had pain from the Procedure. Never felt the clips. I had 4 put in.
I stopped the Flomax 2 weeks before I had the procedure. I refused to take it. That pill sucks. Had Retro and my orgasms were completely gone.
Where is the pain. Maybe it's Prostatitis?????
Good luck.......Ken
anthony33629 stephen57207
Posted
I went off it about 20 days post Urolift. At first, my bladder seemed confused, and it appeared that the BPH symptoms had come back. But I stuck with staying off it, and every day it got easier. I had to pay attention to how much and when I was drinking liquids because I had more urgency - but, I noticed that even though I had urgency, my bladder felt empty after I a pee. I'm six weeks post Urolift now, off the Flomax, and this is the most normal I've been in about 10 years. A bonus is that about five days after stopping Flomax, the tinnitus (ringing in ears) I've had for all these years went away.
kenneth1955 anthony33629
Posted
Good to hear. Good luck...Ken 8 years for me
Deltoid charles40613
Edited
My doctor recommended that I stay on flomax for a few weeks after my procedure, but when I went back for my follow up visit. He told me to drop it. It has been 6 months now and I am still voiding sufficiently. He said I had an overactive bladder, which is understandable given the stress and straining I went through prior to the procedure.
My primary reason for getting the urolift was to get off of flomax and finnesteride, and I have accomplished that. I am very satisfied so far.
anthony33629 Deltoid
Posted
Hi Deltoid: I'm wondering, when you dropped your flomax, how long did it take you to feel like you felt you were voiding sufficiently. I stopped the floxmax a few days ago (about two weeks post Urolift) and it seems like my bladder and urethra don't know what to do. I hope peeing gets easier. I would hate to think I'll have to get back on the flomax.