UROLIFT COST ???

Has anyone heard of 3D Prostatitis Treatment? It is done only in China. (That scares me). But sometimes unconventional treatments (by European/ Western standards) such as acupuncture have proven over time to have merit. I can not put the website address on or it will get edited but if you search "3D Prostatitis Treatment" it will bring it up. The procedure is performed by two physicians. One is Dr. Song. I don't recall the other.

My urologist suggested Urolift after two surgeries to take out bladder stones.  I was assured by him, and by their practice's finance department that my Blue Cross, Medicare, and Supplemental Mutual of Omaha would cover it.  Turns out that none of them did.  I got a bill for $18,000.00 for the surgery.  Of course I can't pay so they have the special Urolift lawyers appealing.  No word on how that went.  Feel sandbagged.  So be certain your insurance coverage will cover it up front.

Love the results, though slow.  Had six thingies put in...they have to pull out and reload each time then go back in so lots of blood for a few days but no biggie to this Marine.  Never took any of the pain meds.  Big thing was more time to sleep at night...was up every hour or less before...began getting two, then three hours of sleep after a few weeks of healing.  Now, nine month later I have gotten as much as 6 1/2 hours of continuous sleep and commonly get over four hours and its getting better.  Worth it for certain if you have the financial part covered.  I'm in Arizona USA.  Was on Floxmax and with it gone had to add to my BP meds a bit.  Great joy is ejaculations like a teenager again.

Vic, I have a long history with tamsulosin (Flomax). I started Flomax around 2005+\-2 years. I requested it from my primary as I was almost completely obstructed despite normal psa readings.  Flomax worked within hours of taking the first dose and I was hooked. It made my gerd worse, gave me retro, and interfered with my ability to run to my VO2max. That last symptom bothered me the most. And to top all else off the stuff made me dizzy at times. But I remained on it as it allowed me to pee for many years. Then about 6 months ago I experienced almost complete obstruction despite Flomax after Mt. Biking, then again after running, and then again after sex. I asked my primary about UroLift (UL) and he poopooed it but I found a urologist in Asheville NC where I live that he knew, they talked, and I was home free until the pre screen tests revealed a small 3rd lobe. I told my urologist I was aware that a Urologist in Australia was pinning the 3rd lobe out of the way and having great success so why could he not do that? My urologist's response was negative. He did tell me I had a 75% chance of success with UL. Also I learned that although he had received training in UL he had yet to install UL in a single patient by himself. So I took a leap of faith and told him I will be his first patient but he has to deal with my 3rd lobe and he did. He brought in a UL rep, an experienced UL physician and together they installed the device in me in 20 minutes. No cath was installed on my release. I had no pain at any time post op. Day 2, I was able to pee with effort a little weak stream but on day 3 post op only dribbles. That worried me as it was now the week end. I did not want to go to the ER to be cathed.  I began to pee in a measuring cup each voiding effort which were coming every 5-15 minutes intensely.  I learned that my frequent dribbles were totaling up to 200 ml per hour which was sufficient as I learned by talking on the phone to my primary. By the end of day 3 post op I had a weak but sustained stream and by the end of week 1 I stopped Flomax and have not taken the medication sense. At 10 days post op I had sex and ejaculation was associated with a brief sharp pain but otherwise normal. Thereafter that pain went away. No problems with erections as that never was an issue with me. As noted in a previous post by me on this thread, today my urine stream is incredible and I enjoy complete and forceful bladder evacuation, something I never thought I would ever e perience again. Moreover my swollen, but otherwise normal healthy prostate remains totally intact. I know that the prostate might grow more over the years and It may at some point begin to obstruct. My options should that occur are to undergo an additional UL implant installed, and if that fails I would then consider PAE. I have been told that I could get a PAE without removing the UL implant. But that is the future and now is now and I am an extremely satisfied customer.

Vic,

 I haven’t heard of any negative sexual side effect from PAE.

For most sex is improved.

In my case I was able to stop the drugs which was a big improvement.

I had this procedure done in January an now I feel I am completely cured without any negative effects. I am very surprised how well this worked.

Again, read over others experiences with this procedure in the PAE forum.

I had the PAE at the Vascular Institute of Virginia by Dr. Sandeep Bagla.

Anybody else wonder why we always read the same exact phrase 'Turp is the gold standard...'   in articles and research papers?  Its not a very clinical term, more like a sales pitch.

Gold standard seems to imply that the discussion is over.  The winner has been selected.  That everyone loves it.   

Anybody else feel like we're being sold TURP?