Urolift Procedure experience 2021
Posted , 6 users are following.
I am going to share my experience and I am also looking for recent feedback on the Urolift procedure. Just had mine done 5/27/2021 (Day 1) but many of the posts I am seeing don't sound anything like my experience.
I was under general anesthesia where most of my predecessors on this forum were not. I can't imagine not being under general anesthesia. (The nurse who was preparing me for the procedure has 20 years experience working in Men's Health and said "I can't believe they do these out patient. It really should require a hospital stay") For me an out patient facility seemed fine. Went in at 8:30 am and was out by 12:30. I was given an IV antibiotic before the anesthesiologist took over. I had to have a driver of course, and left with a catheter in place. I was also fitted with compression socks that go from my toes to my groin. I was also given 2 battery powered compression cuffs to wear when I am laying down. These wrap around my calves and compress, like a blood pressure cuff does, at timed intervals. These are intended to keep blood clots from forming that can kill you if they travel to the lungs or brain.
Day 1 (surgery day) was pretty good. Doctor prescribed post-op oral pain medications but only 10 pills. For me, it takes a lot of pain medications for them to actually work. 10 seems like not nearly enough. I took 2 pills about 7:00pm and I was able to get through the evening well enough. Of course, with a catheter you will always feel like you have to void (urinate). The first time I emptied the bag, about 700ml, it looked like pure 100% blood. Very deep red. Very. As the evening progressed I dumped the bag 3 more times, between 500ml and 800ml each time and could see that it was turning more pinkish as the evening progressed. I tottered around the house doing simple, easy things like getting water, putting dishes in the dishwasher, and visiting with family. Went to bed around 10:00pm. At 2:30am I woke up, I guess because I was used to voiding 3-4 times a night and my catheter bag was full, 2 liters.
Day 2: I awoke at 5:15am with a sharp pain in my bladder. I couldn't get comfortable so I guess I am awake for a while. I took 2 more pain pills and am feeling okay for now. I have an appointment at 2:00pm today to possibly remove the catheter, which I feel may be too soon.
I will continue to update this information in the hopes that it helps someone else. Posted Day 2 at 7:00am.
0 likes, 3 replies
kenneth1955 Matt2021Austin
Posted
Hey there Matt
I agree with you this should be done in the hospital or a surgery center.
I had mine when it was new. It was only out 6 month's I was my doctors 20th person he did. I had mine done in a surgery center next to the hospital. I had a general. Was out the whole time and that is what it should be.
I did have a catheter for 2 days. I asked for it. This is because of the information I read on this site that they could pee after but when they went home they could not pee and had to have a catheter put in I had the bag on to. Empty it all the time. Had it at 1 pm Monday and then went Wednesday at 8:30 am to have it taking out. They fill up the bladder so I could pee. At this point I could not wait. When she took the saline out of the balloon that keeps the catheter in I shoot it out all over the floor
What you need to do is buy a few pads and ware them because you don't know how much control you will have. It was great that day after.
How are the spasms Had them When I was laying down I put a towel under my penis to catch the blood
It has been 7 year and I am still wide open. Take care....Ken
daryl54162 Matt2021Austin
Posted
It's been 2 years. How is it going?
todd41857 Matt2021Austin
Posted
Just had the urolift procedure 12 days ago. I got the procedure because my control over when I urinated was basically non existent. I would have to plan my whole day around the proximity of a bathroom. I'm not embarrassed to say I have peed my pants on more than one occasion. Thank goodness it was either dark or I was just getting home. So crazy, the closer you get to a bathroom the more urgently you have to go. Its awful. I was/am on Tamsulosin once a day, twice for a while (?) since the procedure. It was done out patient. My urologist with an assistant did the procedure. I was on 2 Valium, one other relaxing med I can't remember, Diazepam and of course antibiotic, and gas. The procedure itself was a little intense towards the end. Not a lot of pain, just an uncomfortable feeling. I went home with catheter...blood in bag which is normal. Went the next day to have it removed. They wouldn't let me leave till I could pee on my own. They filled my bladder with saline untill I had the urge to go. I peed on my own...a little bloody and some blood clots came out, again, normal. I will say the next 3-4 days were pretty uncomfortable to say the least. Be aware you will have bladder spasms when u need to go. They are completely involuntary and painful. There is medication for this. Get it. It helps. Also there is medication for the burning in the urethra when you pee. Definitely get that. it turns your pee orange, but that's a side effect. I am currently in no more pain when I urinate and am on no meds except Tamsulosin at this time. I still haven't achieved a constant "stream". I've had one doc visit 2 days ago telling him I am urinating pretty much all day...in small burst. I did have one day of blood in urine, again, normal and another blood clot came out. I jave a follow up next week. Will keep posting.
best, Todd