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Urolift scheduled, local or general anaesthetic

Posted , 13 users are following.

Riggs
Riggs

Hi all, I finally decided to have a Urolift procedure done, praying it works. It is scheduled for next month. The doctor recommends general anesthesia but I am aware local anaesthetic is an option. A bit afraid of being put under. Hopefully, I can get some opinions from both perspectives. Has anyone had it done with the local anaesthetic and if so is it painful?

Thank you!

Riggs

0 likes, 23 replies

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  • robert81316
    robert81316 Riggs

    Posted

    Ken has had it done and I'm sure he woukd be able to help you with advice. But dont be worried about being put under. Its magical

  • kenneth1955
    kenneth1955 Riggs

    Posted

    I had mine done under general your not out that long and I had no problem.  Anything being done down there I want to be out.  Ken 
  • mark02906
    mark02906 Riggs

    Posted

    I also had a general.  For me, it was similar to the last 2 colonoscopies that I have had (about 6 years apart).  I did not have a reaction to the anaesthesia.  I did have a local with the cystoscopy that the urologist did 2-3 weeks before the Urolift to confirm I was a candidate.  Of the two, I prefer the general.
  • cartoonman
    cartoonman Riggs

    Posted

    Hi Riggs,  I had my Urolift done two years ago under a local... the procedure took only 15 minutes, and while there was discomfort, there was no pain.  The doc and I talked while he was working, so I got the blow-by-blow in real time.  I preferred the local, as I was up and running (peeing, actually!) immediately after he was finished...
    • Riggs
      Riggs cartoonman

      Posted

      Hi Cartoonman ,

      Wow, I wonder why the doctors recommend the general instead of the local? Most responders have opted for the general... How and where do the apply the local anaesthetic?

      Thanks

      Riggs

    • cartoonman
      cartoonman Riggs

      Posted

      Maybe the docs get kickbacks from the anesthesiologists??? biggrin  I went to Summit Urology in Salt Lake.  Dr. Steve Ganges was one of those who did the trials for the FDA; I figured I would get the best results from a guy with that much experience.  Too bad it didn't go better, sigh!

  • peter06599
    peter06599 Riggs

    Posted

    I was out cold when it was done and had no problem (as with the last 3 colonoscopies). You wake up and wonder why they haven't worked on you yet, that's how deep the general puts you under. My main tip of advice rather is possibly going home with a catheter. Some guys seem to have no problem. But for those who do (like me) you sure as hell wish you would have left with one in. There is nothing like the EXTREME agony of needing to pee badly and you CANNOT AT ALL!!! I did pee after the procedure and they took the cath out and sent me home. But I guess when they shoot 4 pins in you dick tube something is going to swell on the inside and I seized up by time I got home. After 3 hours of not being able to pee I had to run to my local emergency ward for dire help. I had to keep the cath in for 1 week after my procedure. After going through this procedure (2 years ago) and learning more I would pass on Urolift and probably consider doing REZUM procedure. That's where I'm at today. Weak stream has returned and I still get up to pee 2-4 times a night. REZUM is also an unknown but I like the prospect of the procedure because it attacks the real root cause and that being an enlarged prostate that continues to get larger. Urolift does nothing to reduce the prostate whereas REZUM appears to accomplish that goal. I'm only one story but do your best to get all the info you can before you make your final choice on whatever procedure you choose. Oh to be 17 years old again and not have to deal with this baloney, lol!    

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 peter06599

      Posted

      Hey Peter.  I new better after reading about men having procedures done and can't pee after. Have to run to the hospital and have a catheter put in.  After any prostate surgery the prostate and area is going to be inflamed and you need that to settle down before you get back to normal.   And beside I have a problem peeing on demands.  I all way take my urine with me when I see the doctor can't pee in the office.  When i had my UROLIFT I talked it over with my doctor and he said no problem.  I had it for 2 1/2 days.  First one ever.  Rezum is ok but that take up to 3 month's to get any results.  If that was offered I would only have it done on the right side only  Leave the left alone Don't want retro  Ken 

    • peter06599
      peter06599 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Ken, it was through this website that I first learned about Urolift. I think its a good procedure (better than Green Light Laser and TURP for sure) but for me the results weren't complete. My Doc told me that the pins are permanent, which is troubling considering if I did another procedure (PAE, REZUM etc) I wonder if the pins would create a problem remaining in me with a new procedure. I have yet to seek a real answer to that question. Anyhow, what did you mean about doing REZUM on one side of the uretha? Does doing REZUM on both sides create retro? If so that's new news to me and pretty crappy indeed. Thanks.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 peter06599

      Posted

      I don't know about what your doctor told you about not being able to remove the clip but I was told that they can.  Let me tell you something.  9 month's after I had my urolift done I had to go and have a repair done.  One of the clips got loose.  I had a prostate infection and I went on Cipfofloxacin 1000 MG for 30 days my prostate got smaller that is why I had to have the repair.  He remove the one and replace it and tighten the other 3 so they can be remove if you need them to me. Now with REZUM if you only have the steam on on the right side the left side will not be damage.  You can get retro from it and there have been many men that have gotten it after.  They are not happy.  The doctor tell you only 4% but it is higher more like 10 to 15%. All the good stuff is on the left side.  The steam does not know what is good tissue or seminal tissue.  There were 2 men on here in the summer that were in there early 50's that had there doctor do it that way and it opened them up enough to pee better.  You just have to find a doctor that will do it that way.  We should be able to have any procedure done the way we want not the way the doctor does it.  It is up to us.  I would not take the chance.  Maybe your doctor did not pin enough pins in.  I had 4 clips worked great.  I know someone on here that had 4 but it was not good enough they ended up with 8 and peeing like a teen.  I think your doctor is trying to get you to have something else.  By any chance has he talked about a Turp or a Laser????.  If you have any question PM me I will be happy to help  Ken

    • bob75564
      bob75564 peter06599

      Posted

      Peter,  I was also told that the urolift fasteners are removable, if necessary.  Bob
    • cartoonman
      cartoonman peter06599

      Posted

      Yes, the Urolift is reversible.  It's one reason I chose this procedure.  I had the maximum (6) clips put in two years ago.  It worked for only a few months, and I'm now doing CIC while awaiting the results of the iTind trials.  If I do go for that after it's approved (already available in Europe and Canada), I will have the clips removed first...

    • vernon70267
      vernon70267 peter06599

      Posted

      Riggs: I don't want to be negative but I had the REZUM treatment in October of 2019. Had to have catheter in for two weeks because I too could not pee and had to rush to emergency to put a catheter in place. When they told me I had to have a catheter for 3 days, I was okay with that but when I took it out at home, as recommended by the doctor, I could not pee and had to rush to have another one replaced. The REZUM DID NOT help my urination issues. I still have a weak stream and I still get up multiple times at night to pee. I still have starting and stopping of the stream. If I had it to do all over again, I would go for a HeLop Laser procedure. TURP is a dinosaur. There is also TULSA Pro but that is not covered by Medicare so although it is the best of the best, as usual, the poor among us can't afford the best. I think my next stop will be Urolift. Wish me luck.

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