HoLEP vs. PAE: Fast Approaching Decision and Advice from Men with Experience in These

Men's health
21

@MichaelVM7 : I don’t have that kind of money, unfortunately.
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I did a Rezum out-of-pocket for $2,500. It is an out-patient procedure so it is done in the doctors office without the overhead costs of an operating room.
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After over 10 months of catheters I can pee on my own again. Also no ED and no RE. The Rezum took less than 10 minutes and then I had a Foley for 2 weeks. After that there was 2 more weeks of self-cathing before I started to pee on my own as my body shed off the dead prostate material from the Rezum.
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Why not try a less expensive, less invasive procedure with lower complications and lower morbidity first? It makes sense to me.

22

Hi Michael , in case of enlarged median lobe you are qualified patient for FLA. Minimal risc and more then 90 % success. Just sent MRI scan to Dr. Karamanian in Houston , this is free and he will let you know the best solution. I m one of happy patient of Dr. K. My FLA has gone in April 2018 and returned me to life. Stan

23

Urologist is the last person to ask about PAE. They don’t do it, have no clue about it and it means less business for them. If you really want to learn about PAE, find someone who does the procedure.

24

You could consider Aquablation if you can find anyone who does it.
It is new and should be as effective as Holep or Turp or … and more effective than Urolift and PAE.
I had a 123cc prostate and had Aquablation 3 weeks ago. Recovered very quickly from the op, but I should wait to see how the peeing has improved

25

Hi Michael,
Here is the initial communication I rec’d from Dr Bagla’s office in August of 2016:

The radiation involved for the procedure is less exposure than a typical CT-scan study.

I imagine that different offices use different equipment and different procedures, and therefore might have very different radiation exposures.

I continued the conversation with Dr B’s office. I will post the follow-up messages in a second post.

I have had some improvement from the PAE, just not as much as I would have hoped for. It did allow me to stop all meds, which was a huge benefit. Nighttime “trips to the bathroom” (I use a portable urinal, so I just get up and pee right next to the bed… very little disruption of sleep) have stayed much the same.

It didn’t happen all that quickly. It seemed to improve well beyond the time limit when Dr B said there wouldn’t be any more improvement (I think that was 3 months).

Prostate was approx 95 cc prior to PAE. Not sure about afterwards.

Rich

26

Here are the follow-up communications:

I wrote on 09/21/16:

Dr. Bagla said the procedure would take about an hour. My understanding is that if some difficulty is encountered, it could take several hours. If that occurs, is there a concern for an increased radiation exposure?

Julie’s reply:

Our radiation exposure from this procedure is far less than you would have in a hospital setting because of the technology we use.

I wrote on 01/16/17:

I know from a previous email that you said that the radiation involved for the procedure is less exposure than a typical CT-scan study. I’d be interested in knowing what modifications Dr. Bagla has developed (or uses) that allows for the reduced radiation. I assume that he uses some form of Fluoroscopy.

Julie’s reply:

THE FLUOROSCOPY UNIT WE USE ALLOWS FOR REDUCED PATIENT DOSE.

HERE IS A LINK ABOUT OUR UNIT:

I have deleted the link as the moderator would not allow it to be posted. I can send it to you by PM if you’re interested.

Rich