Urolift Experiences

Week 5 - No significant change. I continue to be very pleased with the outcome. Had my first follow-up appointment with the Doc. He seemed pleased with the results. I have been cleared to resume intercourse, but he wants me to wait one more week before resuming serious physical exercise (running, situps, pushups, weight lifting, etc.) My next update will be at 8 weeks (3 weeks from now.)

As someone who is seriously thinking about having this procedure done I just want you to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to do these updates. They are very helpful for me. Thanks so much and continued good health to you.

Week 8 - I continue to be very pleased with the outcome of this procedure. Drove 1,300 miles to visit family without any issues. This type of thing usually causes a few days of urine flow problems, but not in this case--either on the outbound or return trip. I have resumed a full exercise regimen, including sit-ups, push-ups, weight lifting and brisk walking. I will soon return to running. I have received the go-ahead to stop taking Doxizosin (Cardura 4mg). I will back off over the next week or two, though the Doc says I can go cold turkey if I wish. I will post again in two weeks with the results.

At the urging of my honey I thought I'd share my experience of having the Urolift procedure with the hope that others my benefit.

The procedure was performed at the Doc's office. I took some Valium before to take the edge off, (not nearly enough).  First thing Doc did was to insert a catheter with some numbing agents, (no where near enough...see a theme here).  

After some time, he commenced inserting the Urolift, ended up w six implants total. When he says this might hurt a little, realize he is absolutely clueless, unless of course he has also had the procedure. I felt a strong pinch, followed by something being pulled. The anticipation of the next implant was almost as bad as the actual process.  

Before you you leave they want you to urinate; oh my gosh, talk about painful. Expect to only pee blood. Evidently, if you are unable to pee they will need to insert another catheter, thus high motivation to expel.

For me, I had a strong urge to pee all the way home. Unfortunately, this urge produced very little discharge.

Since getting home last night, I have been on the toilet consistently every 60-90 minutes. Each attempt to urinate starts with pain. Once I relax, I have been rewarded with dribble, and then the process repeats; pain, dribble and so on.

The blood in my urine is dissipating, but I still am able to empty my bladder, (this is 20 hours after the procedure).

Bottom line for anyone considering this procedure; expect pain and discomfort, and don't plan on going to work the next day.  And most valuable advice form my experience; ask for sedation.

 

Bill, 

thank you you for the words of encouragement. I am actually quite optimistic that this procedure will provide positive results. My objective for sharing my experience is not intended to deter others, but rather to encourage the sedation. I didn't intend for my comments to sway others away from this option; just enlighten.

thank you

Week 10 - All continues to go well. Over the past week and a half, I have steadily reduced my dosage of Doxazosin (Cardura), reaching zero two days ago. I can't say I have noted any change in symptoms, i.e. urine flow, retention, frequency, etc. My initial hope for the Urolift procedure was that, when all was said and done, I would experience symptoms no worse than before the procedure but be able to come off the medication. At this point, it is safe to say that I have exceeded that hope and am very thankful for the outcome.

Again, as I and others have stressed, have them put you under anesthesia and request a catheter for at least two day. The cath is a pain, but going without is worse.

I had Urolift over 5 months ago and first 2 months showed improvement reducing nighttime visits to 2 to 2, down from 2 to 4. I have provided update to my Surgeon and diluting next visit hope to get input and options if required.

I notice my condition has regressed progressively last 2 months and I have symptoms I did not have before surgery.

- Need to urinate at night is back to 2 to 4

- I often experience hesitation to start urination which I never had before.

- Urination is often slow and lasts longer, symptoms I did not have before.

- Sometimes after a pause Urination restarts once or twice to finish emptying the bladder, symptoms I did not have before.

I wonder if number and positioning of Urolift devices can be cause of my symptoms or if additional Urolift(s) is an option?