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Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations
Men's Health | Last Active: 44 minutes ago | Replies (200)Comment receiving replies
Like @snoopy48 I'm based in UK and 11 days ago underwent Aquablation surgery in the Candover Suite at Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital. There are still only a few places in the UK that carry out this procedure and although this Hospital is not local to me the cost (£9,080) was £3,500 less expensive than the London teaching hospitals and so this saving was obviously attractive. I would certainly recommend Candover as a good place to have this procedure done and my urologist, Prof. Richard Hindley, was excellent. (I was placed on an NHS waiting list late last year, but in view of the current length of NHS waiting lists had no confidence that I'd be called any time soon...)
As a 70 year old I've experienced urinary 'issues' for a number of years and 2 years ago underwent Botox injections as my urologist considered my urine flow to be adequate. This opinion was based on misleading urodynamic test results and Botox proved to be totally ineffective. In fact it made matters worse and my number of overnight trips to the bathroom was becoming totally intolerable...
Following further tests and a cystoscopy it was evident that I was suffering from BPH, was not a suitable candidate for Urolift (which I favoured) due to a median lobe and therefore decided to opt for Aquablation as I was attracted to it being 'minimally invasive'. My prostate was medium sized at 62gms.
The procedure was initially scheduled for last February, but was cancelled one week before my appointment date due to late delivery of equipment to the hospital. This was obviously very disappointing.
I'm on blood thinners and was told to stop these 3 days before my procedure. This is a difficult balancing act between the risk of getting further DVT and substantial bleeding resulting from Aquablation.
I attended a pre-op. assessment at Candover Clinic 8 days before my surgery appointment and the procedure was carried out without incident with copious and constant bladder flushing throughout the day/night. I was discharged the following day with a catheter which was (painfully!) removed at Candover Suite 3 days later. It does appear that many urologists (mainly in the USA) carry out TWOC before discharge. The 3 days with the catheter in situ were VERY uncomfortable with excruciating pain experienced every time when urinating and I was greatly relieved to have it removed! Urinating without the catheter was initially difficult, but eventually I was able to do so to the satisfaction of the urology nurse and so didn't need to have it re-inserted - thank God!...
Since then I've experienced no pain, but my urine has been pretty bloody at times. My urologist feels that this is 'normal', but as I'm on blood thinners they may be contributing to this situation and I've been advised to stay off the thinners for a few days to see whether this improves matters.
My urologist has also advised me not to do any physical exercise for 4-6 weeks, but this seems unnecessarily cautious and I may be tempted to do a light gym session after 3 weeks or so if my urine is clear and I'm experiencing no other symptoms (i.e. pain)
To date I've experienced no benefits from Aquablation, but I recognise that it's still very early days so I'm looking forward to some (hopefully!) substantial improvements in my urinary frequency - particularly overnight!
I hope this is of some use to anyone contemplating Aquablation, particularly in the UK. I always believed it to be the 'least worst' option for tackling BPH. Hope I'm right! I'm happy to try and answer any queries.
Replies to "Like @snoopy48 I'm based in UK and 11 days ago underwent Aquablation surgery in the Candover..."
Geoff good to read your summary so far... I'm in UK too here's my situation so far. The bleeding and clots have returned excessively tonight I will keep you posted with any positivity I have ......I write this blog following my recent experience of aquablation surgery 25 days ago.
I welcome advice from anyone with similar experience I outline at the end of this report but will give my background first.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 8 years ago with a low gleason score and have been on the ‘watch and wait’ programme with PSA blood tests being monitored every 3 months. They have ranged from 7 to 11 over this period and my consultant remains unconcerned at this stage.
I am 66 years of age ‘fit’ and healthy at 6ft 2 inches and 12 stone 12 lbs (81kg). I’ve never smoked and rarely drink any alcohol.
4 years ago I went into ER for acute urinary retention and then 3 months ago acute urinary retention in ER again resulting ing a catheter for the past 3 months. MRI showed my prostate had double ti 2 years to 137 cc. I had been taking Tamsulosin for 8 years and for 4 month Finasteride.
On 29 March 2025 I had my aquablation op and was told all went well considering the size of the prostate !
I stayed 2 nights in hosp not the one suggested and was released with a catheter returning to hosp on day 4 for its removal and several flow tests. Euphoria kicked in as pee’d like the proverbial horse. I went home catheter free to my new life… it lasted 24 hours. Then the nightmare began. I was admitted to ER with blood clots and acute urinary retention again admitted back onto the hospital ward and was told this is normal … so normal I was released the following day. Only for the same to happen again 24 hrs later and a re admission onto hospital ward with re cathetirisation and morphine. I was released again on for 48 hours later for the same clotting to happen again with urinary retention. SO my assumption is ‘size does matter’ as my prostate being twice the normal enlarged prostate was going to have double the ‘damage’ inflicted.
I was released again for 10 days and went back to hosp to have catheter removed. Undertook 3 flow tests and was delighted with the result only the nurses weren’t .I was leaving over 150 ml after voiding. I was sent home with a re admission to hosp the next day where my flow tests improved , slightly. I was sent home with self catheterisation material which I haven't used. I’ve had 5 days at home and have been ok. Although I’m up every 2 hours between 11pm and 7am peeing and checking for clots. Ive now developed my first UTInfection and am on antibiotics. Things seemed to be getting better although I have a lot of perineal pain when peeing. I believe this is normal. However tonight at 9pm after a good flow rate all day I go to bathroom and pee over 100ml of blood. After several hundred mls of water later I’m still bleeding and have passed a small clot my question is. Is this normal as being intermittent and now a sudden change 25 days after surgery. I will keep you posted on positive progress but the smiley brochures and You Tube re assurances and testimonies of ‘ road to recovery stories after a week or so have not been my experience at all.
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Almost three months have now elapsed since my Aquablation procedure and I'm dismayed to report there's been virtually no improvement in my urinary urgency/frequency symptoms - particularly overnight when 6-7 bathroom trips remain the norm. This is obviously very disappointing as I've experienced all of the unpleasant side effects, but none of the benefits of this procedure - at considerable personal cost!...
I've had one follow-up consultation with my Urologist who has advised that a cyst was discovered in my prostate during Aquablation and is now suggesting I have an MRI and then possibly a TUR to remove the cyst...
As I've already blown a substantial amount of money on this problem I'm obviously VERY reluctant to spend even more and feel I'm 'between a rock and a hard place'...