I just had bipolar turp, now post op day 5. I waited too long too. By trusting my primary doctor, I wound up with A 100 g prostate and an invasive surgery. I was on both tamsulosin (flomax) and dutasteride (avodart). They helped a little but being as I am only 59 I did not want to take them for the next 20 years. I selected a urologist and my work up showed that TURP was the best option for me at this time so, I elected for the surgery. Since I was at the point where I could not go 20 mins without urinating; in the sitting position to keep from wetting myself, I knew I was done.. so here's a few tips I have. Don't wait too long, Advocate for yourself if you need a referral to a qualified professional. Select a doctor and hospital that uses modern procedures and techniques.. The old ways are brutal and out of date. Next, prepare for your surgery. as best as you can. Quit smoking, lose weight, exercise, hydrate and rest too. The better shape you can get into, the better you will tolerate anesthesia (anesthesia can cause more problems than the surgery!). Read everything you can and educate yourself about your condition and the recovery process so you know what to expect. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for a second opinion if you are not comfortable. Once you determine you want the procedure, commit yourself to it and follow through, It's kind of like a bad tooth, its just going to keep getting worse and worse and I know just how miserable this condition is. On a positive note, I had this done 5 days ago and so far its not too bad,! Not too much pain and my urination is getting better every day. The main problem is re-training my bladder not to push so hard. After surgery follow orders. Drink LOTS of water to keep yourself flushed out and rest, you'll be tired. I have found I actually have less pain now than before surgery and Im not really getting up anymore than I used too..I know this much. the longer it takes for your problem to become a problem, the longer it will take to recover. From what I read the recovery is slow so be patient You're symptoms may actually get worse before they get better but in the long run you should benefit and get some relief. Best of luck
I had my problems for 9 years before I had the turp. If I hadn't had waited so long maybe I wouldn't have needed the surgery. I wish things had been different.
!!
PS: I was only 59, too. That was way back in 2009
Sounds like we are in the same boat. I just had the Button Plasma TURP done about 6 days ago and I waited for 10 years until it got bad enough for me to make a decision. I went to my regular urologist who recommended the Urolift but we discovered my prostate was too big so he also said the buttonTURP would be the next best bet. I went to another urologist for that second opinion and he reccommended the regular TURP. Both said that my prostate had grown so big that it was now shutting off the urithra. (hence the reason I could no longer pee) I opted for the newer version. It was outpatient and I was sent home with a catheter (I'll have it for another couple of days). Pain, blood and cramping but as the days go on the pain is leaving. Hopefully when the catheter comes out I'll feel better. There is always pain and that uncomfortable feeling when 10" of hose is inside you.
Did they send you home with a cath and how long were you in the hospital? They said my prostate was "Real BIG" over 100 but I'll get exact results next week. They had to take out 50% of one lobe and left the other one intact. I am 61.
Hi Dave,
A little tired tonight. The Dr. told me I had a prominent middle lobe, but I was never told whether he removed it or not. So many questions-maybe we can help one another. I will write again tomorrow !!
Steve .
David. hi. first off new guy here. sorry should have mentioned that. Anyway. I stayed overnight with the catheter taped to my leg on traction. Fortunately my doc gave me a suppository of belladona and opium to quell the bladder spasms. I sure hope you had one of those buddy. Anyway. the doc pulled that foot-long hose out the next day and I went home after I was able to pee which was immediately. my doc said he took the whole thing out As with you mine was so large it had pushed up into my bladder. Good luck. drink alot of just plain old water. really seems to help and stay away from coffe and soda. baaad
Hello Dave - I have a 100g prostate, many bladder stones and a ureter stone. I have Gyrus bipolar TURP surgery, with stone removal, scheduled for 9/19. What is TURP by TUEVP? My surgeon insists on 6 day catheter, while the doctor at the other hospital says 2 day catheter (but won't perform the surgery because I am located closer to another Kaiser hospital). Did you have retention (PVR)? Stone removal? Where are you located? I am in Northern California. Thanks. Mark
Not familiar with TUEVP but glad to know that all is going well with your recovery. You have offered very good advise to all who are looking for a suitable procedure.
I had ThuLEP (same as HoLEP with different laser) and have been very pleased with the outcome.
I too was not well advised by my first Urologist and found myself in the same predicament where things got out of hand requiring longer return to "normal" function. I am now close to ten weeks post surgery and still dribbleing, other than that I am doing quite well in all respects and would not hesitate to reccomend this procedure.
Hi Mark:
I live in so cal. san gabriel valley area. I work for a hospital system as a PT so I must admit I had a big edge when it came to selecting my doc. Also we are self insured so no referral issues. I neglected to mention in my post that unfortunately your insurnace company really dictates who you can see and what procedures they will pay for..Thus you could end up with an inferior surgeon, facility or both. I had no stones which may account for your longer catheter requirment. I know at my hospital we like to get them out asap to avoid complications...infection, strictures...
TUEVP is bipolar vaporization with a button electrode instead of hacking tisse with a loop...hope all goes well for you.
hi all. forgot to mention this. Unfortunately in the US today, your insurance company will dictate the surgeon, facility, and procedures they will pay for. since most of us can't afford to pay for this out of pocket we are stuck. However, don't be afraid to advocate for yourself, especially if the places and doctors they want to send you are not appropriate for you or your condition, or, you have special circumstances that require expert care
Hi Dave - I was told that my prostate, at 100g, was too large for TUVP and that bipolar TURP would be best. How much of your prostate did they remove?
Hey Mark this is the other Dave. I was told the same thing by my doctor. I had mine ( Button Plasma TURP) done a week ago and was told that the prostate was over 100 (unk yet as to how much over) and the doctor took out 50% of only one lobe. The other was left intact because it took 1 1/2 hrs to do the one. I will find out more in a couple of days when I have my first post op talk with the doctor and they remove this snake of a catheter.
Of course I could be wrong because the doctor never told me but spoke with my wife. I was still out of it.
Dave- It is now one week post surgery and I feel okay. My energy is back and I am getting cabin fever. The occassional spasm and full feeling but I think it is because I still have a horse catheter in me with a bag hanging on my leg. My doctor and another one I consulted with say they like to leave them in for a week to allow the prostate to relax, heal and for the swelling can go down. Then you get 3 days of antibiotics to cure any UTI's or prevent them? Who knows who is right but I was sent home the same day so maybe that is why. Can't wait to get this thing out so I can really see results.
Any ideas out there in the cyber world of how long it will be before you can get back to normal such as sex and real activity? Doctors don't tell you much so maybe someone without complications knows.
I will keep everyone updated in two days when the tube is pulled as to that experience and what to expect.
Dave - What is the advantage of TUEV vs bipolar TURP? Seems like your procedure/recovery is going well. How long was the surgery? Thanks. Mark
HiDave,
Was in the hospital for the usual amount time. I had to get the hospital records myself. The Dr. said that a prominent middle lobe was noted, but he never said whether he removed it or not. They don't tell you much. Very strange creatures some of these urologists are.
Dave - Is the hospital system Kaiser by any chance? That is what I have here in NoCal. Sounds like they have a good capability regarding TURP. Maybe I should talk to your urologist. Thanks. Mark
Dave, It's been over a week now. Any updates on your progress? I am at day 8 and feeling much better but cathater comes out tomorrow. I hear that freeks out the bladder.
Hi, David,
Many thanks for your post “5 days after TURP by TUEVP”, Prostate Problem Group which appeared 9-05-2016. I underwent open heart surgery, triple bypass and aortic valve replacement. Different anatomical area but all part of the whole.
The surgery was successful but recovering from the long term (post-op 10 months) effects of the anesthesia has been challenging, to say the least. But there is so little published that I do think we should get the word out on this topic as much as is humanly possible. You have taken a big step in the right direction, and I am happy to second you on this.
Warm regards, and hoping for your speedy recovery!
Alan.
David - How are you doing now? Mark
Okay, I had the cathater removed two days ago after 10 days of misery from that thing. It wasn't painful just uncomfortable and it takes some getting use to dragging a bag around on your leg all day. Now that it is out I am glad the DR kept it in so long, because it gave me time to heal without and issues.
The DR said that my prostate was "Really Big" way over the 100 gram mark and was protruding into the bladder. He worked on the upper part and one side for 1 1/2 hrs. He left the other side intact because he took enough out of the other to clear a large path for the urine. He said that the button TURP tool is only 4 Centimeters so that is a lot of going back and forth burning for a large prostate.
No pain when the catheter came out and he said see you in 3 months that everything was fine. That shocked me because I expected more doom and gloom. On 3 days of antibiotics just in case.
I have mild after burn when I urinate not much just a feeling. When I pee which is about every 2- 3 hrs it is great. ( Dr says that will get better with time) Lots of flow but feels kinda weird with some tingling. Anywhere from 200 ML to 300 ML each pee. I get up at night 2 times to void without any issues. No real pain just weird feeling. Get that phantom sharp stick in the prostate area once in a while.
Dr says no sex for a month and no heavy lifting like dead lifts, squats etc. I am an avid weightlifer so he said I can go right back to the gym, just to take it easy.
So as for me it seems to have worked so far, seeing I could not pee at all before the surgery.
Oh, by the way he feels that I will not have retro ejaculation because only one side was worked on. We will wait and see on that one. No big deal if I have retro because all the drugs I took before stopped it anyway. (Finesteride and doxysosin)
I am also no longer taking the Finesteride or Doxysosin. Yeah!
I'll keep all advised as my progrees for those who are thinking about the Button Plasma TURP.