Anyone had a TURP operation

[ren531]

I had Greenlight. It has worked as promised. Urination is back to 'normal' ie less frequent and mostly manageable. No problem sexually excerpt ejaculation is random and rare. Volume is reduced from my younger years when it does occur.

I started with scripts as a first step. As I write this I do not remember the name but a popular first step. It worked well enough for me, until it needed.

My options were Greenlight or Turp, I felt there was more risk in Turp, primarily to sexual performance. Urolift had just received approval in the States. But, it was very new and I had a qualifying issue. Of all the types, I think it is the best choice for controlling urination without impacting sexual performance.

Good luck with wrestling with your choices.

With your Greenlight surgery did you have it as day surgery and not have to stop in over night? as they are suggesting with me and how long before they removed the catheter.

 

[KnittyNorah]

Had a long discussion with the urologists about options, it's either TURP , greenlight Lazer or self catheterizing myself every night .I find self cath easy , I have good startup and flow rates and only mild bph but a large hypotonic bladder that can't empty properly . The urologists think's there's only a 50 50 chance of it improving my situation and may have to keep self catheterizing anyway and having researched on line about the opp there are a lot of unhappy men who have suffered months of pain and discomfort and not sure it's the way to go for me .

First of all, I 100% reiterate the post above from @tom73. Get an appointment with a specialist urology nurse - probably at the urology dept of the hospital where you see your specialists - and please take a written list of questions, options and other matters you want to ask about and discuss, because otherwise you WILL forget something which is vital to you.
The nurse will not tell you 'what to do', but s/he will give you the sort of information which both expands your knowledge about your condition and its treatment, and which may well lead to further questions. They will likely also ask you what your priorities and expectations are, and what results you would like. If your expectations are unrealistic, they will discuss this with you.

I will never experience BPH, but if you were my partner, and as a (now retired) medical physicist - I AM NOT A PHYSICIAN - who long ago did some early work on medical lasers with Prof Jacobi in Munich, and maintained an 'interest from afar' in them, I'd be suggesting the lasers, as opposed to TURP, if it's on offer. It is (reasonably) minimally invasive with a significantly shorter recovery time and fewer side effects than TURP. Its main disadvantage is probably that it's not possible to take a sample of the gland for biopsy.

I can understand totally why your urologists are cautious about saying either TURP or laser will lead to any actual improvement in the situation with your hypotonic bladder.

However, bear in mind that if BPH remains untreated it will only get worse. Regardless of your statement that the BPH is 'mild', they must consider it worth treating surgically at this point in time, if they have offered you the option. it is not done lightly.

You need to discuss what your options are, and the best - really the only - person you should be doing this with, is a specialist in urology. A specialist urology nurse (or other clinician, if a specialist in the subject) will be, in almost all cases, a far better person for this discussion that an actual urologist or urological surgeon.

 

[ren531]

First of all, I 100% reiterate the post above from @tom73. Get an appointment with a specialist urology nurse - probably at the urology dept of the hospital where you see your specialists - and please take a written list of questions, options and other matters you want to ask about and discuss, because otherwise you WILL forget something which is vital to you.
The nurse will not tell you 'what to do', but s/he will give you the sort of information which both expands your knowledge about your condition and its treatment, and which may well lead to further questions. They will likely also ask you what your priorities and expectations are, and what results you would like. If your expectations are unrealistic, they will discuss this with you.

I will never experience BPH, but if you were my partner, and as a (now retired) medical physicist - I AM NOT A PHYSICIAN - who long ago did some early work on medical lasers with Prof Jacobi in Munich, and maintained an 'interest from afar' in them, I'd be suggesting the lasers, as opposed to TURP, if it's on offer. It is (reasonably) minimally invasive with a significantly shorter recovery time and fewer side effects than TURP. Its main disadvantage is probably that it's not possible to take a sample of the gland for biopsy.

I can understand totally why your urologists are cautious about saying either TURP or laser will lead to any actual improvement in the situation with your hypotonic bladder.

However, bear in mind that if BPH remains untreated it will only get worse. Regardless of your statement that the BPH is 'mild', they must consider it worth treating surgically at this point in time, if they have offered you the option. it is not done lightly.

You need to discuss what your options are, and the best - really the only - person you should be doing this with, is a specialist in urology. A specialist urology nurse (or other clinician, if a specialist in the subject) will be, in almost all cases, a far better person for this discussion that an actual urologist or urological surgeon.

Really appreciate your opinion and experience you have offered forward , it's not easy for a person unaccustomed with dealing with these issues to sort it all out in your own head .I have been told it most likely will get worse over the years . I shall digest all you have written and give it all some thought, again thanks for the detailed information.

 

[Debade]

With your Greenlight surgery did you have it as day surgery and not have to stop in over night? as they are suggesting with me and how long before they removed the catheter.

They kept me overnight. I can’t remember a catheter for sure but may have for a short time.

 

[Debade]

Your the first who has given me insight with Greenlight experience,it does seem to have it merits, day surgery and possibly less scarring and less risk to sexual function.
Thanks for widening my knowledge further.

A reply above reminded me that sperm release happens infrequently and when it does, volume seems minimal. So if children are planned, I would suggest learning if my experience is unique or you can expect similar results.

I did not experience sensation change.

 

[ren531]

A reply above reminded me that sperm release happens infrequently and when it does, volume seems minimal. So if children are planned, I would suggest learning if my experience is unique or you can expect similar results.

I did not experience sensation change.

No more offspring for me I think , thankfully.