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Optilume balloon therapy for BPH
Hi. I'm 67 with BPH and a rather small (30ml) prostate.
I've researched the new Optilume procedure for BPH but not finding others that have had the procedure or have also been looking into it. For myself I had a Cystoscopy and the urologist said ideal for aquablation I agreed to it but have since changed my mind and here's why. Unlike other surgical procedures Optilume for BPH is performed in the Drs office with only local and usually spinal block anesthesia. Optilume for BPH does remove any Prostatic tissue. What it does is a dual balloon catheter is inserted thru the urethral, it small and is inserted thru a 19fr rigid cystoscope along with the camera . The catheter passes into the bladder then is backed out so the smaller of the two balloons is in bladder and will hold the specially sized for each patient second balloon in the prostate. The balloon is then inflated causing a commisoratomy or tear between the two anterior lobes of the prostate then a drug called paclitaxel is placed for about ten minutes on the tear. Paclitaxel prevents the lobes from growing back together again. You will leave the Drs office unassisted with a catheter placed that will be removed usually in 24 hours. It shows durability in 5 year studies. Mostly for me, I have no reason to have my prostate obliterated and even partially removed. I expect to continue to have unaffected sexual function other than being relieved of the side effects of tamsulosin which have hit me hard. Orgasm quality is extremely important and seldom discussed in research. Don't confuse orgasm with ejaculation. It's the orgasm that feels good and why would any patient not preserve that for themselves. Optilume for BPH was approved approximately July of 2023 so hopefully clinics and surgeons will jump on the opportunity to provide a very effective alternative to tissue removal.
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I had Optilume on the 27th of August for BPH, and for me, it has been a nightmare, to say the least. Terrible bleeding for months. Horrible pain. Leaking, even now, so that I have to wear a pad to soak it up. And even worse, my flow is terrible, and I am still on drugs, which I did the procedure to get off of. Even almost five months later, I can still not exercise much at all and have gained weight on top of everything else. Last Monday, I saw another surgeon at the University of Washington, and they told me this procedure was a big mistake. I have called the company multiple times and gotten no help or assistance of any kind. They just read the brochure to you and said everything would be great. I wish I had never done this procedure. The new surgeon said it will typically take at least six months to heal the damage to the prostate that this procedure does. Then, we can go about trying to correct the damage. That is what has happened to me. I wish the company would provide some support or at least converse with me.
@keithmr how was the Optilume procedure?
Its now 8 month ago you had it done. Pls. let us know, - it seems like there is number of us anxious to hear your experience - good or bad.
@riverpark who did your embolization - maybe I should go the the US and have it done?
My HMO in Sacramento did my Embolization, so you’d have to be a member. Still, I recommend having it done by anybody trustworthy and experienced in the procedure. I still cannot believe the positive change in my life caused by such an easy, non-invasive procedure with zero negative consequences; that is, everything works just fine. Good luck!
Thank @riverpark!
Hi,
Has your situation improved at all? I am considering Optilume - looking for patient reviews like yours. Thanks.
@keithmr You mentioned that the Optilument was very succesful back in May 2024.
Two questions from us anxious about what procedure to chose:
1. Are you still doing fine - any side effects?
2. Who did the procedure?
The last question because I can see here, that no matter if you chose Aquablation og Optilume - some are really suffering from serious side effects - and I assume most of it is related to how trained or lucky the surgeon really is???
Absolutely fine! Recovery was easy after the procedure. I'm still astounded with the fact that there was no sensation at all at anytime that the procedure left behind. Urination, flow and shut off working great. No sexual side effects. In fact after getting of Tamsulosin which was a horrible drug me I am now happily able to have an orgasm easier and no longer retrograde. Nearly 8 months and not a regret. I'd urge you not to off having something done. What none of these procedures do will stop all your symptoms of lower urinary tract. It will open the flow immediately. What you need to talk with your urologist about is how to deal with symptoms after procedure that were caused by the enlarged prostate. Perhaps still have urgency at times. May have to retrain your bladder to hold more urine again which is from bladder spasms. I've had to retrain for a fuller bladder which takes time. Looking back I'd have started Kegel exercises well before the procedure, so start squeezing those pelvic floor muscles and come of your procedure ready take charge of your sexual satisfaction and relief of LUTS.
I had my procedure at Samaritan Health Hospital in Corvallis, OR. Dr Robert Laciak.
One more thing. If you've not had a systoscopy yet there is a anxiety that comes along with a scope inserted thru your urethra to the bladder. The thing I had to take charge of for myself after the first one was to make sure the medical assistant, lijely female, knows to to fully coat your urethra with the lidocaine when instilled thru tip of the penis. Once the syringe is emptied hang on the tip of your penis so the gel does not just run back out onto your draping then milk the gel back thru the urethra along the taint so it actually numbs well into the full length of the urethra. Lidocaine not only numbs but slightly dilates the urethra so the further it's in greatly minimizes any discomfort. It a very fast insertion of tge scope and really was more a surprise sensation than any pain. Take a deep breath and just relax and its quite begin. My experience tells me docs a med assistants aren't communicating well enough to thoroughly coat the urethra with lidocaine. So advocate for yourself for not unpleasant experience. I had no injury feeling after cystoscopy but was well ready for it which helped tremendously. If you've used or are going to use a catheter for testing of complete bladder emptying in Dr's office they don't always numb so ask for it for that to if need be. Remember deep breath and it's in and you can relax and watch the the monitor and learn as you Dr looks everything over and then make a decision that works for you.
To reiterate why I chose OptilumeBPH :
Truly non invasive procedure with no removal of tissue and faster healing.
I need to be able to self care after as I live alone with no at hone support.
Immediate relief to urine flow.
Wanted to reclaim my sexual health!
Great success.
Any other questions or comments I'll keep a closer watch on this site if I can answer anything else.
Good luck, you're going be so much better very soon.
Keith
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So OptilumeBPH though a surgical procedure does not remove tissue. Healing is faster. Search Optilume BPH, not to be confused with Optilume for urethral stricutes. Search you tube "OptilumeBPH" for full procedure video and research information.
Odd to me. The paclitaxel keeps the split lobes of tge prostate from growing back together. My urine was clear of blood and clots completely at week four and I considered myself healed at week six. I do know that the factory rep must accompany the durgwon oh the first ten procedures the dr performs... Maybe the placement of tge balloon catheter was not quite correct or moved at time of inflation wit about 90fr or 1 1/4 inch. If it's not placed a secured while inflating it could cause a tear in tge bladder neck.. I'd be surprised if you've not had a systoscopy by now to find out what happened.