My Aquablation Journey: What to Expect After Surgery

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably considering aquablation or preparing for your own procedure. First off, you’ve got this! I’m sharing my experience to give you an idea of what recovery might look like. Everyone’s journey is a little different, but here’s how mine went.

A Little Backstory

For over 10 years, I’ve dealt with frequent urination. By 2022, I was waking up four or five times a night to pee. It got to the point where I had to plan bathroom trips before events—whether boarding a plane or going to a concert.

In 2023, I had my first episode of nighttime incontinence. I brushed it off as a fluke, but when it happened again in 2024, I knew I had to take action. After consulting with a urologist, I discovered medications weren’t an option for me due to my low blood pressure (some prostate meds can lower blood pressure further).

I narrowed my option down to three procedure: TURP, HoLEP, or aquablation. After researching, I chose aquablation. Here’s how my recovery went:

Day of Surgery (Friday)

When I woke up from the surgery, I had a three-way catheter in place (fluid in, fluid out, and a balloon). The nurses regularly checked the retrieval fluid bags, describing the color as "Hawaiian punch," "pink," or "pink lemonade."

The catheter was the most uncomfortable part—it created a constant pressure on my bladder and bowels, making me feel like I needed to use the bathroom. It wasn’t unbearable or painful, just noticeable. Pain meds helped, and the discomfort from the catheter eased quickly.

Day 1 Post-Surgery (Saturday)

By this day, my discharge looked like "pink lemonade," so they removed the catheter. Let me tell you, that was the most painful part of the whole experience! After the catheter came out, urinating burned a lot—like a sharp stinging sensation at the tip of my penis.

They asked me to fill a volume of 300ml, but I only managed 230ml because of the burning sensation at the tip of my penis. To ensure my bladder was emptying properly, they did a post-void residual (PVR) test, which I passed. I was sent home later that day.

That night, I only had to get up a couple of times to pee, which was a huge relief. I’m staying hydrated with about 44 ounces of electrolytes daily.

Day 2 Post-Surgery (Sunday)

Urinating was still painful, but not as intense as the day before. My urine was a fluorescent yellow with a small puddle of iodine-colored liquid at the bottom. (Don’t worry if you see this; it’s normal!)

By now, I’m drinking about 66 ounces of electrolytes daily to keep things flowing smoothly.

Day 3 Post-Surgery (Monday)

The burning sensation started to ease up, and my urine was a lighter yellow. By the end of the day, the blood in my urine had cleared up. I even got follow-up calls from both my urologist’s PA and my primary care physician’s office to check on my progress.

Still sticking with 66 ounces of electrolytes a day. Hydration is key!

Day 4 Post-Surgery (Tuesday)

The stinging at the tip of my penis continued to decrease, and for the first time, I could comfortably stand to pee. Before this, sitting to pee was less painful.

Takeaways

If you’re about to undergo aquablation, here are a few tips from my experience:

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids (especially electrolytes) really helps.

Be Patient: The burning and discomfort will subside. Take it one day at a time.

Communicate: Keep in touch with your medical team. They’re there to help and reassure you.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect. Remember, every recovery is unique, but the end goal is worth it. Good luck—you’ve got this!