Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations

Summary: Aquablation Post-Surgery

I've been posting pretty regularly, so feel free to check out my previous posts to see my progress.

Feb 3rd (Day 10 Post-Surgery)Had my follow-up with the urologist. Post-volume measurements were 95cc. Got the usual "less than 100cc is good, and your number is probably on the high side since you're still healing" speech. I'm only getting up once a night to pee now—way better than the five times a night before surgery. No blood in my urine at all. Still a little bit of discomfort when peeing, but nothing too bad. Got the all-clear for lifting light weights and having sex, but I need to hold off on biking for another two to three weeks.

Feb 5th (Day 12 Post-Surgery)Had sex for the first time post-surgery—everything went great! Totally normal experience. Ejaculation seemed normal too, and no signs of retrograde ejaculation. Feeling good about heading back to the gym on Monday, Feb 10.

Im 51 years old. I had aquablation 10-16-24 in Dallas. My experience has not been good at all. My prostate was 80. I spent two nights in the hospital and went home with the catheter the size of a garden hose for four more days. While the catheter was in I had two blockages from tissue that causes severe pain. One was at the hospital and the other was at my home three hours away from the hospital in which landed me in my local ER to have it flushed. When it was removed on the sixth day. Since it was removed I've suffered a urinary tract infections and major incontinence. Been on Gemtesa for five weeks in which my insurance refuses to cover. It has had very little effect. I cannot ever be too far from a toilet while at my job. Two toilet trips a night seems to be the norm with multiple trips during the day. I piss like opening a fire hydrant for a few seconds. Maybe three to four ounces at a time. Have to wear depends pads for leaks since I cannot hold it. I have had several accidents.
Retro ejaculation is a real side effect the doctors don"t seem to care about and it is not reported half as much as it occurs. I still am able to get and maintain an erection. So if you are not ready for your sex life to be over, do not get the procedure. I have nothing but negative thoughts and reviews for this surgery. My life is pure hell since I had it. Do not get it unless you are prepared for the worse. I regret having it done everyday. I would be happy to answer any questions.

Dont do it if you can avoid it . look for my post on this sight page 17

How big was your Prostate before Aquablation ?

Whoa, wait minute. Why no cycling? That is my main exercise both indoors and outdoors. I'd rather get up 5 times a night to pee than give up cycling.

I use zwift and wahoo a lot but had pain after 30mins but pushed for at least 1 hr 3-4 times per week. Then the prostate tests, etc then aquablation.

I stated there is not a strong correlation between cycling and prostate issues. He said yes, but that I have prostate issues. It is baysean probably eg probability of worsening prostate issue by cycling given existing prostate issue. I don’t think that is part of the exist data set.

I will ask my urologist for data later. I’m still way too sore to go on a bike now.

Happy things are going well. I had the procedure on Dec. 4 2024 and waited the recommended 6 weeks to begin working out. My workouts are pretty intense -boot camp, running, and spin. Unfortunately bleeding took place and was told to stop spin (no discussion of how long). I am still running and doing bootcamp and seem to have random bleeding - hard to determine the cause. I have made a decision to continue the workouts but have not gone back to spin. Trying to be patient with this but now past 8 weeks and pretty much satisfied with results; strong stream with some discomfort, on Tamsulosin every other day, minimal trips to the bathroom, and normal sex. At the end of the day from reading these posts I believe the surgeons are underestimating the recovery period/complications.

Hello. 66 year old in good shape, work out etc. Had enlarged prostate for about 15 years, 2 biopsies back at beginning due to high PSA score and both negative. (NOTE: Follow ups of PSA's and Free PSA's along with 4K indicate no cancer). Watchful waiting over the years with frequency and stream problems worsening slowly. In December of 2023, got to point that something needed to be done. Prostate size 110 cc. My urologist suggested simple prostatectomy and it seemed extreme. I asked him about aquablation and he said few do it, but seems to be a good option. Went to Mt. Sinai in Manhattan to a Dr. Kaplan, who is said to be one of the best at this procedure. My urologist advised that Mt. Sinai has great uro staff.
Scheduled aquablation for 2/28/24. On 1/8/24, had a urodynamic flow test by a nurse at Mt. Sinai. Seemed to be tough to get to done and there was bleeding. This is to check if bladder emptying. Within 36 hours I was in emergency room with complete blockage and a catheter had to be put in. I had never had a catheter before. Advised Dr. Kaplan and we spoke by phone and a scheduled rectal ultrasound was for 1/22/24. Went to my original uro approximately 1/17 to take out catheter. Within hours back to ER for another catheter.
After the rectal ultrasound on 1/22/24, Dr. Kaplan advised that there was a medial lobe extension into the bladder that would be addressed during the aquablation. I asked (begged) to fit me in sooner as he advised that I would need to keep the catheter in until then. No avail.
Pre-op tesgting for surgery clearance indicated uti (light staph infection only) and took antibiotics.) Aquablation on 2/28/24 that took about 1 hr. and 15 minutes. Apparently went well. 1 night in hospital and home with catheter, which was removed three days later and stream was good, no blood (other than in the hospital where clots and blood were cleaned out with heavy irrigation.)
On 4/8/24, had pain in the lower abdomen right side and went to Urgent Care and CT scan indicated no problems with bladder or prostate area or any where for that matter. Staph infection diagnosed and treated.
Moved along and saw Dr. Kaplan in May '24 and seemed to be going well, good flow, getting up once maybe twice a night, but somewhat still limiting fluid intake. Fast forward to Dec. '24 and starting to have more problems with urgency and frequency, feel like I have to pee throughout the day more times than not.
Seen Kaplan on 12/16/24 and he did a rectal ultrasound indicating that the aquablation had reduced the size of the prosate to 80 cc and he would have liked it to be smaller (40% reduction). I advised him of the urgency and frequency issues and he quoted that " you wouldn't want to do another aquablation". Very little questioning allowed with this Dr. So here I am in March '25 and I am now going through bouts of having to pee many times throughout the day, even though really have limited my fluid intake, some pain in lower left abdomen area and in the perineum (area between anus and scrotum). From some research, I think I need to actually take in more water and it may help. I have appointment with my regular uro on 3/25 as he is on vacation. I still work and have to drive moderate distances when on road. This doesn't help. Not sure where to go from here. Hope this helps those in similar predicament and appreciate hlep from anyone who has successfully gotten through something lke this. Thanks, Joe

Hi, I´m 74y.o.. Probably my Prostate size now is 80/90. In 2017 I had a PAE in 2017 and are looking for a new one in months to come. My first pos operatory PAE was very painful (painful urination, blood in urine and semen, frequent urination). Would you please tell me if today it´s possible to radiologists intervencionsists, to protect penile arteries, perineal and rectum arteries from embolization? Are there today any new medicines that help us to overcome extreme painful outcomes when doing PAE? Thank you for heping me

I am one week out from procedure. Overall, very surprised by the relative lack of any discomfort following procedure. First urination, absolutely zero pain or burning. Since then, exceptionally minor and just about gone. Spent one day in hospital. Left with no catheter and drove 250 miles home that day. Felt rather good. Drank lots of water and peed about every 40 minutes (each rest stop along freeway). Over last week, minimal blood little to no discomfort. Other than a little difficulty in starting flow, pretty happy so far. The more I drink, certainly, the easier to go.
While in hospital, was being irrigated with heavy fluids to keep flowing and preventing blood clots. I have zero complaints at this time. Short and fabulous, so far.