Recovery expectations 6 weeks after HoLEP prostate surgery.

Early this morning I was trying to urinate and pushing to clear what I thought was a blockage. Low and behold I felt a pop which felt like it was from my prostate. At that time I finally started voiding my bladder. Pretty large scab in the toilet bowl. I have been drinking lots of water today and when I went to empty my bladder this time, no pain, no burn and flow like I haven’t had in 40 years. Praying this is the end of the UTI’s and pain. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks post op.

Interesting discussions here. I am 71 and have had BPH symptoms for 20 years... maybe 25. I have been on alfuzosin for much of that time and it helps, but not perfect. My condition seems to be somewhat stable but I am getting a cysto in a couple weeks to check my bladder and to reevaluate. My doc does Urolift and Rezume procedures in his office but I am reluctant to try the Urolift because of the little staple implants, some of which can not be removed if there are issues. And it seems like that might have to be redone with one of the more thorough methods a few years later anyway.

But IDK. I have been researching this topic for almost that full 25 years and beyond the old school TURP there are so many options now... microwave, aquablation, cryotherapy, pelvic artery embolization, thermal therapy (like Rezume), PVP laser, and HoLep laser. I mean, who's on first. How to sort through all this stuff... In any case, I'll have more data after the cysto and start looking more seriously at these. Looks like for HoLep I'd have to trek over to Johns Hopkins... not too far from me but far enough that followups would be a PITA.

The saga of HoLep continues. Yesterday while out I felt another movement through my urethra. This time it got to the head of my penis and just stopped. That has completely plugged me up like a cork. Went to the emergency room and the doc tried to remove the blockage, but was scared to pull any harder because he didn’t want to damage my penis. Now trying to find a urologist to get it removed.

So have the same feeling that maybe there is a scab or a clot that stops the urine flow too soon. Feels like I haven’t peed in a month and then the pain goes away. This week feels like they keep putting a catheter in and out. Pain clear to the tip. But I don’t think that my bladder is emptying all the way because of it. On antibiotics now for UTI. 4 weeks since my surgery. Still feels like I have to pee even after going. Going every hr. If I fall asleep for a few hrs then I almost can’t make it to the bathroom. Don’t know if it is the prostate or the urethra that seems to be the issue. Just would like to start a normal bathroom visit. Won’t see the urologist until March. Soldier on is the recommendation of my Doc that I normally see.

I still have the catheter in place since 9 Jan, but 2 days ago I started leaking around the head of my penis and the obstruction that was sticking out 1/4 inch beyond the tip of my penis disappeared. I feel as though the obstruction dissolved. My urine is now clear. No more cloudiness. My doctor is back in town and I have an appointment to see him Monday to remove the catheter and to see if I am voiding. Before this clog happened I was going to pee every 2 hours and I felt as though I was completely emptying my bladder. Never experienced the pain but just a burning sensation when I passed the scabs. I knew something was wrong when I felt that obstruction move down my urethra and plug me up on 9 Jan. There was no doubt about that feeling and then not being able to push it through. Not sure what it was, but like I said previously, I do believe it has dissolved. I will update Monday with results of my Void test and see if I can flow freely once again.

I had a 0800 appointment this morning. The doctor was not there but left instructions for the nurse to remove the catheter and do a voiding test. The nurse inserted 200ml of water into my bladder and then removed the catheter. I went to the toilet to pee then came back and she did the void test. Only 20ml left in my bladder so I am emptying my bladder. Like I said above, the blockage dissolved and I had no problem emptying. I am a happy camper for now!