Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations

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.

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'...

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'...

I'm at about 10 weeks since aquablation.
I'm not waking up any less often than I was prior to surgery. About twice a night. Urination was more comfortable prior to the procedure.
I'm 75 years old. PSA was down to about 2.5 with finasteride but shot up to about 9 after I decided to stop taking it about 6 months prior to the surgery. Drug side effects were bothering me.
I had a very large prostate, doc removed about 40% with aquablation. Then 2 miserable days in the hospital.
Doc had a strong assumption that I had developed cancer, which is why I agreed to the surgery. Got the size reduced while avoiding a standard vika the rectum biopsy. (tissue was checked after aquablation, no cancer detected).
But as I said I'm not getting up in middle of the night any less frequently than before the procedure.
However, I need diapers, which shocked me and is uncomfortable. And costly.
I'm finding a quantity of a mucus like substance in my urine almost evert time I urinate. Doc said it's "left over" semen, whatever that means.
Sometimes the mucos hardens at the tip, and starting urination is a bit painful until the force if the urine breaks the "seal"..
I can't control where the urine is going to flow, so I either sit like a female, or pee into a cup.
Using a cup helps me see the quantity and check the color.
At about 7 or 8 weeks color became closer to normal.
Early on I noticed chunks of tissue in the urine. That has slowed considerably, but I still notice it frequently. Small gray or white bits floating in the urine.
So far I question if this was worthwhile, except I have stopped the tamsulosin and finasteride.
Doc told me to see him in 2 or3 months suspects I will be doing much better by then.

@dm2473 - I suspect your doctor is right. 10 weeks is not very long and it takes your body a time to adjust post-surgically. I am six months post aquablation and am very happy with the result. Perfect? No - but still way better.

I had Aquablation 14 days ago. Was in the hospital 1 night and came home with a catheter that was removed the next day. Peeing was really good with no blood for 8 days. Then I started to get blood at the start and end of the stream and it has been like that for 6 days. I've also passed 2 clots or scabs or whatever they were. I called the office and was told the blood, the clots and slight burning pain are normal. They said the thing to watch for is a urine stream that is consistently dark like wine for the whole pee session indicating a lot more prostatic bleeding.
I am a fairly fit 70 year old and sitting around is driving me crazy. I was told to take it easy for two weeks with no lifting, no exercise other than walking and no strenuous activity. Two weeks is up. My doc didn't give me clear instructions on the other 4 weeks between now and my followup appointment. Can anyone tell me if there is a universal medical recommendation about when to get back to physical work and exercise, sex, weight lifting, rowing machine, etc?