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
paulSkew charles40613
Posted
So, after a Urolift, what’s your bladder volume after you void?
After my GP diagnosing BPH, I went for my first urology visit yesterday. After I provided a urine sample, they measured my bladder at 168ml. I peed again and got it down to 99ml. A normal empty bladder is 30ml. Obviously I’m not voiding due to enlarged prostate. Would Urolift resolve this condition? And if so, could you guys tell me what your empty bladder measures pre- and post-Urolift?
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Posted
If the prostate is the problem It will open you up. 30 to 50 ml left is about normal.
I'm over 7 years for mine.Be safe....Ken
paulSkew charles40613
Edited
I’ll add that my urologist warns that failure to void the bladder could lead to a weakened bladder muscle or, worst case, kidney issues. I’m scheduled for a cystoscopy this summer to see if I’m a candidate for Urolift.. I’ll see another urologist in a few weeks for a second opinion.
This is all new to me. I've spent the last 24 hours spinning up on it. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone.
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Posted
Hey Paul
If the prostate is the problem the Urolift will take care of it. It will open you up. I had it done when I was 58. I'm 65 and still open. I had 4 clip put in.
Urolift is the only procedure that causes no side effects. I still have my ejaculation and my orgasms are very intense. And that is the way I want it.
Most doctor's will want to start cutting away at the prostate and that is when more problems will start. Good Luck.....Ken
paulSkew kenneth1955
Edited
Thanks Kenneth. I'm 58 now, so I guess it's time for this stuff to start breaking. I appreciate this forum and your help.
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Posted
No problem Paul
I'm here if you need anything....Ken
paulSkew charles40613
Posted
My urologist didn't say a thing about drugs or other procedures. That's why I'm going for a second opinion. Now, I realize this thread is about Urolift, but please indulge this one off-topic question.
What about drugs like Rapiflow or Flomax? I'm guessing a few people here have tried them. What are the side effects?
My dad was on Flomax for four decades and never complained of any side effects, well, not that he would admit to. He was always a kind of quiet guy.
Thanks.
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Posted
Hey Paul
Sorry that you are having a problem.
Everyone is different and some are worse then others but the main side effects are retro ejaculation and lost of your orgasm. That is what happen to me. I was only on them for 2 week and 2 weeks later I had my Urolift.
Your father was a quite man and that really is nothing he would talk to his son about. Also men of a that generation never think about them problems and would not bring that up over a beer.
Would you walk into a bar and ask your buddy how's your sex life and what up with your prostate
Take care. If you can stay off of them pills....Ken
paulSkew charles40613
Edited
This is good information to have. It really does sound like Urolift is the right way to go. I know a thread like this will attract mostly persons with negative results, but it sounds like you just get it done, it's maybe a bit uncomfortable or inconvenient for a week or so, and then you're back to p*****g like a teenager.
Thanks again for the info, Kenneth and all who have contributed. Invaluable to have a frank discussion like this.
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Edited
Paul
Men need to talk with other men. You also have to watch because some doctor only do certain procedure and want to sell you only what they do. Remember if they do not do any of there procedures they make no money.
Urolift has be very good for me. It has been over 7 years. Still open. I had my procedure done 6 month's after it came out. I was number 20 for my urologist
If you need anything. I'm here guy's. God Bless....Ken
Bill1970 charles40613
Posted
Had my procedure 7 days ago. No chance of getting it done on the NHS so paid £5000+ for a private procedure as I was fed up with disturbed sleep. As things are at the moment, I'd happily pay the same again to reverse the procedure and go back to where I started! Some folks report a good experience, but 7 days in and all I've experienced is distress and pain. In the last couple of days I experienced a lot of bleeding and clots. Clots are scary because you can feel them suddenly block the urethra part way through taking a pee. Thankfully I eventually (and painfully) passed them all (so far). I dread taking a pee as it hurts like hell and I have a constant burning/stinging sensation in my penis which is driving me mad and keeping me awake! Antibiotics and co-codamol have been prescribed. All this and no obvious improvement in the symptoms that got me here in the first place. I keep telling myself that it's early days and things will improve, but wish I was more confident about that. Yesterday, in addition to heavier bleeding I had urge incontinence which effectively meant being house bound in preference to suddenly peeing blood in public. Maybe I'm expecting too much, too quickly, but so far I'd rate this procedure as a huge, expensive mistake. Much of the promotional material on the web shows happy, smiling, silver haired men playing golf with tales of how easy, painless and convenient it all was - that's not my reality, but maybe in 4 weeks I will feel differently?
Bill1970 charles40613
Posted
Start of day 8.
Terrible night, had to take co-codamol for pain which was relentness. It is an odd kind of pain like a continual burning/stinging urge to pee. Worse when actually taking a pee and temporarily slightly better after. I must have got up 10+ times in the night, to pass a tiny amount of urine. Good news is no more bleeding. Started a course of antibiotics last night, but not convinced this is an infection as I recall the same pain was there immediately following surgery.
Big downturn in quality of life at the moment, feeling exhausted and fed up - still wishing I had not had it done.
kenneth1955 Bill1970
Posted
Hey Buddy give it some time. Did you have a catheter put in when you left the hospital.
That was the best time that I did. Most of the time they don't but I ask for it because I have a problem peeing on demand. Also before I had it done I found out to many men have to go to the ER because at night they can't pee. I would rather have a catheter put in when I'm out then when I'm awake.
I had it for 3 days. They took it out and for 2 days it burn to pee but I was good to go in a week. It has been over 7 years I'm still open.
Make sure you drink a lot of water to flush yourself out. I had 4 clips put in. Ken
Bill1970 kenneth1955
Posted
Thankfully no catheter. Things have settled down, bleeding has stopped but I wouldn't say I'm back to where I was before. Flow is worse than pre-op since coming off Tamusolin and some dull pain in my groin is a new development 17 days in. Still wishing I hadn't gone through with this.
kenneth1955 Bill1970
Posted
Bill I'm sorry that you are having a hard time with this, They do said that you should be fine in 4 weeks.
How many clips did you have put in. I feel that the catheter did help. I did a lot of research before I had it done. Most men that had the procedure could pee after it was done but when they went home that is when the problem started.
The prostate will go into inflammation from the procedure and you will not be able to pee. Then they had to go to the hospital and have a catheter in for a week.
You will get better give it time.....Ken
paulSkew Bill1970
Posted
Bill - This sounds like hell. How are you doing now? Can I ask, did you have any pre-existing conditions that might have complicated your recovery? Such as old age or excess weight? The reason I ask is that my doc says all his patients handled the procedure well except for one 93-year-old man with compromised urinary tract tissue due to his age.
Update on me: I got my second opinion and like the new doc better, Cragin Anderson in Colorado. He's having me keep a urine diary, dates, times and volumes of pee. On average I pee 30 times a day and volume is about 180ml. Plus he has me on Flomax until we can decide on urolift or other surgical intervention. My diary shows the Flomax really doesn't help much. It does, however, cause retrograde ejaculation, which is simultaneously less messy and less fun. LOL.
My systoscopy is now scheduled for late August and the earliest I could possibly have Urolift would be November. I'll keep you all posted.
kenneth1955 paulSkew
Posted
Hey Paul
I hated Flomax was also on Rapaflo Gave me retro and took my orgasm away. I told my doctor I was not going to take any of them pills. 2 weeks later I had the Urolift It has been over 7 year still open. Had 4 clips. 2 on top and to on bottom. No side effects
Is the prostate the problem if it is the Urolift will fix it. If you do decide on it. Have a catheter for a few day. That is what I did. I did research on it before mine. Men were able to pee right after but when they went home they could not pee because the prostate will be swollen. I was good to go in a week
All the best to you....Ken