Urolift Procedure - February 2017
Posted , 35 users are following.
To give back to the onlilne community, I want to pass on some information about my Urolift procedure for BPH.
First the patient - I am 68, 6ft 172 lbs. I have had one BPH operation about 10 years ago (TUNA) from the same doctor who did the Urolift. Other signifcant conditions - HBP and hypothyroidism treated by medicine, Fairly active physically. Working very part time. Enjoying my children and, especially, grandchildren.
Impetus for the procedure - failure of tamsulosin (less than 1 year) to improve flow and with unsatisfactory side effects.
Confirmation procedure - Physician did a cystoscopy 4 weeks before the procedure to confirm this procedure was correct for the geometry of my prostate. Topical pain medication used. Was recovering well. Soreness while urinating was going away after a couple days. Was given 1 antibiotic pill. Either from my anatomy or something I did, it wasn't enough and I developed a urinary tract infection. Very painful 7-8/10. Needed additional anti-biotic. In a follow up visit 1 week before the Urolift procedure, things were better and we decided to go forward.
Urolift - Pre-Op: Was told to stop medicines (including herbal) that would contribute to bleeding - e.g., low dose aspirin and Lovaza (gen). I stopped the few other herbals that I took. Continued with the thyroid (levothyroxine) and BP (valsartan/hctz) - the latter was stopped the day of and taken later when I got home.
Surgery location - like many, this was done in an ambulatory surgery center, not a hospital. In my case, the center was run by the urology practice.
Procedure:
Cost - I am not going to focus on cost, because everyone's coverage is different. As I understand it there are 3 bills - urologist, anaesthesiologist, facility. The latter asked for a same day payment. The others bill.
Procedure schedule - 1:30 pm s
1)12:30 pm -- Reception review and confirmation of information and stoppage of food/water/medicines 12 hours before procedure
2) 1:00 pm -- prep for surgery, viitals, IV started. Met with urologist for last minute questions (mostly on activity after the operation). Met with anaesthesiologist - she doubled checked food/water stoppage and looked in my mouth (I realized post facto looking for dentures). Administered fetanyl - following was told by others
3) 1:30 procedure - was told it would take 30 minutes. My wife was shown before and after polaroid of the opening of my prostate. What she described looked like the photographs in the Urolfit pamphlet.
4) 2:30 pm approx - As I came out of the fetanyl, I was not as groggy as I expected. Strong urge to go, but nothing coming out. I walked to the bathroom myself holding onto the pole containing the saline feed for the IV. I had 4 bloody (medium) urine drops come out. They said that was enough.
5) Given instructions on post-op procedure - primarily minimal activity for a week. I was given the ok to do walking. Which I tried 2 days later.
6) Prescribed antibiotic for 5 days.
Ride home - I live 30 min. from the surgery center. We had plotted places to stop in case I needed to before I got home. Did not have to stop.
First day - very sore starting and stopping urine flow. Later that day it seemed flow was stronger, but hope might have colored my perception. Ate sourdough waffles (my wife is great) late afternoon. Ate a light dinner later. Forced myself to drink more water than I usually do (thanks to my wife) Sat up. Couldn't go to sleep until 3:30 am. Slept for 2 hours. Went to the bathroom. Slept for 2 hours. Note on clothing. Since I expected some bloody urine, I bought and used Depend pads for a couple of days until the blood stopped.
2nd day - soreness about the same as the cystoscopy procedure. Sign of blood was fading (didn't want to look too closely, though). Stream seems to be stronger (my wife said she could hear it too). Once I get the urge to urinate, I have to get in there fast. Urine flow starts quickly. Had to change pants once as I was not careful. Stopped the use of the Depends pads as there was no blood visible and I started having better control of the stream.
I will post follow ups. I am scheduled for a Uroflow PVR (check of flowrate) and urologist follow up two weeks after the procedure.
I am writing this to help people who are faced with the decision on what to do with their BPH. I am not an advocate for one procedure or another. This is a personnel decision. As you know, this is anecdotal. We are all different. Yet, we are also all the same. I would like to thank the others who have posted on this forum.
7 likes, 170 replies
bobbya mark02906
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Thank you
mark02906 bobbya
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I notice a stronger stream since the urolift procedure last year than I did from the first prostrate surgery that I had about 11 years ago (TUNA - needle ablation). I average getting up once per night. I can live with that. I am off the tamsulosin - a big reason for me wanting to do the surgery. Those are the positives. Concerns - longevity of the procedure. From what I read, there is no perfect procedure for everybody. Also, with these newer procedures, there isn't enough long-term study yet. Retraining the bladder - For the first 8 months after the urolift, I was concerned about finding a bathroom in time during long trips (plane and car). I chose to wear a pad (Depends Guard). It turns out I didn't need it. I took a spinning class (indoor biking) about 6 weeks after the surgery. I chose only to do 30 minutes of a 60-minute class. I barely got back to the locker room before I started urinating. I have had less than 5 times where I couldn't hold it and dribble on my clothes. But, it has gotten better over the last year. Lastly, go slow on the physical activity right after the surgery. Err on the conservative side - walking is ok. Good luck.
bobbya mark02906
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mark02906 bobbya
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My surgery center is a 30-minute drive from my house. Because I was concerned about finding a bathroom on the drive home, I purchased Depends Guards Incontinence pads for larger surges (they make a small pad as well). I did not need them on the way home. In fact, I have worn them about 12 times (package of 102 - $0.16 per pad). I have not needed them. It was more of a piece of mind issue. With an enlarged prostate, your bladder has been trained to hold back. Once the prostate is opened up (any surgical technique), the bladder has to be retrained. I hope I haven't given you worry. about this. I work part-time as an OBC (onboard carrier) flying with parts, documents overseas and within the USA. I keep a couple in my backpack but haven't needed them. Take a look at the Depend Guard website. They are not noticeable and they have odor control (but I did not test that). There are probably other brands that work also.
I did not need to use a catheter following the surgery. In the week the following the surgery, I was sore the first day, better each day. I had a surprise on day 3 when I passed a small blood clot. I wasn't prepared to see that. It was no biggie, but at that time I said, "Wow" No further incidents. I used the guards for a few days afterward, but, as I said before, didn't need them.
If I was on the road, I would wear them until you get confidence that you don't need them. Just be careful about lifting too much for the first week or so. Biking is tough on that area, so that's why I waited until 6 weeks before I took a spinning class. I have taken classes since then without incident and have made it through the 60-minute class.
If I had another procedure, I would have purchased them also. I have a friend that had a TURP. His recovery was a little longer, but he is fine now also.
Good luck.
bobbya mark02906
Posted
Well Mark, after reading all post I am a little nervous now. I went to the urologist to discuss frequency issues and for the last year have had a double stream. I have no problem going. My friend had the green light lazer procedure with great sucess. When I asked the doctor about it he gave me a pamplet on this urolift. He said it was less invasive then the green light but its a fairly new procedure. I really do need some help hear, don't know of any other forums to read up on. Giving my profession and travels as I stated in my last post, do you think I will be fine to travel 3 weeks after the procedure. Thanks for all your help
john568 bobbya
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mark02906 john568
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bobbya mark02906
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Thank you,
mark02906 bobbya
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If you go to the top of the page there is a search box. Type in Kenneth1955. That will bring up some of his posts. If you choose one category, scroll down until you see his post. Then click on the name Kenneth1955. That should bring up a page that near the top you will see an envelope symbol and word "message" next to it. Click on that and you should be able to write him a note. If you are still undecided, he is very knowledgeable. If you have decided against Urolift, he can give you some things to think about. But, if you are focused on another procedure, great. I would try to get as much information about that other procedure. You have to have confidence in your choice. I wish you the best. It's not an easy decision.
bobbya mark02906
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Thank you Mark, as you see, I have many questions. just reading the one of Dan's saying about MRI's, please read my post and advise if possible. Thanks for all your advise and info.
bobbya mark02906
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I do not see any post for the person your talking about, again I'm new to this forum thing. Sorry for my lack of experiance on the forum
stephen10708 mark02906
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I would like to add a little bit to this I just had a urolift done March 12th 2018. I had it done in a surgical center in Florida it was very fast I use general anesthesia when I woke they said thand it seemed to work well when I woke up in the recovery room I did have to use the toilet which a lot of blood came out they said that was fine sent me home without a catheter .When I did get home I drink a lot of water to flush out my system, but on the fifth sixth and seventh day the blood came back the clotting came back I called up to the doctor's office and they said that did it was normal and it should clear up in a couple more days which it did there was no pain very little a little tingling every now and then especially when the blood clots came out in the beginning of the urination the flow is very good no complaints and do get up around 3 or 4 times a night they said that would subside as the weeks go on I will update when I get too week 2.
bobbya stephen10708
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stephen10708 bobbya
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Reply , I had the procedure at the St Lucie Surgery Center at Tradition. The place was outstanding, arrived at 11am was home 30min away by 3pm. I was on Tamsulosin for only a couple of months, but since the Urolift the Dr said I no longer need it. I have to say the procedure was a piece of cake. The hardest part was peeing out all the blood and clots. . The Dr. Office told me to wait 2 weeks before I do any exercise specially because of the bleeding, however everyone heals differently. A lot of the people in this forum say they had no blood or some say the first day only. It's only been day 8 . I will update in the 2 week mark.
bobbya stephen10708
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Yes, please keep me posted and I hope you have zero issues. My procedure is the second week of April, so plenty of time to get info from you and others. Yes, I've been on the Tamsulosin for maybe 3 months now. Did they say how long before you can come sexually active after the surgery ?? I don't think I asked that question now that I think about it.
Thank again for replying with info for me.
stephen10708 bobbya
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I haven't spoken with the Doc yet but from researching on some of the doctors web sites they are recommending 4 weeks.
mark02906 stephen10708
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Yes, I agree with the 4-week caution on sex. Like general physical activity (e.g., weight lifting, cycling), don't push it. The cautious approach to healing is best in the long run. I was glad to ditch the tamsulosin. With my blood pressure medicine and tamsulosin, I couldn't do much physical activity. I stopped it right away.