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.