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
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
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
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.
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...
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!
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
Our stories vary, one from the other. My Urolift was IMMEDIATELY successful: I hopped off the table and called for a bowl, and peed like the proverbial race horse, right in front of the startled nurse. No cathing or catheters needed. That said, 3 or 4 months later I was down to a trickle, and then back to CIC, where I still am today, awaiting results of the iTind trials...
Thanks for all the replies thus far. The doctor also said he would put an I dwelling catheter in for 7 days. I assume that is to avoid have to insert if I can't pee right after the procedure. What is everyone's opinion on the catheter?
Thanks
Riggs
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
Hello Riggs, I had my done under general, it was fine except I felt so much pain under there, make sure your doctor order some pain killer along with anesthesia. Good luck!
Maybe the docs get kickbacks from the anesthesiologists??? 
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!
I really HATED being tethered to a bag, for one week, when my BPH was i.d.'ed (after they drained 2 1/2 LITERS of pee!). I got to CIC as soon as I could, and wouldn't do it any other way.
As for PAIN: yes, be CERTAIN he gives you a script for heavy-duty pain killers (No, ibuprofen ain't gonna do it!). I was in pain as soon as the stuff they gave me for the procedure began wearing off. I was on pain meds for 2 or 3 days, then went out to my wood shed and stacked a half-cord of firewood! :-)
I think that is best. Not all men can pee after a procedure. But why is he leaving it in for a week. I had my in for 3 days. When they put in the 250 cc of fluid I could not want for the nurse to pull the catheter out. I shot it out and I pee all over everything. It pays to be ready for anything. The day they took the catheter out. I was not going home. It was 8:30 am and I was going out. I got some male pads and I put one on when I left the doctors office. I was happy I did. It only took me 15 minutes to get where I was going. I felt I had to pee and Just when I put my one leg out og the car I started to pee. I thought I was not going to stop and the pad held it all. I went inside and change the pad and I was good to go. You will be fine but ask the doctor why 7 days. Good luck Ken
Riggs, it will be two years for me in February, 2018. I had local, I was 58, and received five fasteners. I was done in about 20 minutes, was able to pee immediately, no catheter, and drove home. I could hear and feel each fasteners as they used the "gun". It was not unbearable but it was uncomfortable and I was glad when it as over. My insurance was not covering it and the cost would have been higher with general. My urologist gave me a choice and I went with local. I've had no problems since and the results, for me, were very, very good and still are very good. I am glad I had it done. I had my yearly check this week and the exam showed the prostate as flat. It's clear from the forum that every man varies and results also. Good luck with the proceedure. Bob
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.
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
Peter, I was also told that the urolift fasteners are removable, if necessary. Bob
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...
Had my Urolift over two years ago. Did general and glad I did...I got six thingie doos put in - don't think I'd have liked watching that. They have to go in, shoot, come out, reload, go in and shoot again. NO problems with the general I was one of those who peed a LOT after....constantly. Was driven home with a blanket over me and my penis in a pee cup. Spent a lot of time in the hospital restroom after I came around. I'm an olde Marine and blood donor. I don't mind blood. I passed a lot of blood for a couple days - but it was worth it. Never had to take the pain meds. More than worth it. 73 years old and pee and ejaculate like a teenager.