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Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations
Men's Health | Last Active: 21 hours ago | Replies (401)Comment receiving replies
I had an aquablation done on December 4, 2025, and so far, things seem to be going well. To be entirely honest, I don't think my doctor did a very good job of preparing me for the aftermath. I've had to look online for the answers to most of my questions. For example, I play trombone in a couple of bands and was wondering about how soon I might get back to it. My urologist said I might want to wait a few days, mainly suggesting that the urge to urinate might hit me while onstage. But nothing about the potential dangers to the pelvic floor, etc., that I've been reading about. I am planning to try an hour-long Christmas concert tomorrow--will be a challenge because I'm currently able to go about 30-40 minutes between bathroom trips. Another thing I was a bit surprised about was returning to bicycling. I do a lot of Zwift riding, especially now that it's winter, and though I could just hop back on. But it looks like I should wait at least a month, if not longer. No one mentioned anything about sexual function, but it looks like I should be waiting at least a month, maybe six weeks before giving that a try?
One of the PAs who dealt with me in the hospital actually told me she usually suggests patients take two weeks off from work. Again, nothing like this came up prior to the operation. I'm a college librarian and largely sit at a desk/computer, but a week before the procedure, I was moving books around so that we could remove shelves and make the space more accessible, so there are times when it's a pretty physical job.
I was in the hospital overnight on December 4 and the original plan was to release me on the 5th, but there was enough bleeding that they kept me a second night and sent me home on Saturday the 6th. I have been urinating much more freely than before, though still see the occasional blood. I seem to have urine that ranges from light watermelon to orange in color. I can sleep for 4-5 hours at night, rather than getting up every 90 minutes or so, which was my experience before. I'd been having bladder stones develop every year and a half or so, so am hoping that this procedure will help prevent that.
I'm in Minnesota and the procedure was done at North Memorial hospital in Robbinsdale. My doctor was Dean Tortorellis from Minnesota Urology. Have a follow-up appointment scheduled for December 19.
Replies to "I had an aquablation done on December 4, 2025, and so far, things seem to be..."
@bookman65
Im just about three months out from my procedure. Ive posted about my experience before so here i will address your question about teturning to normal activities. My sdvice is take it slow. The advice about staying home from work is good. The first week take it very easy. After two weeks easy walks would be ok. At three weeks i did a longer 1.5 mile walk with two small hills and later felt sore down there with blood in my urine for a day. Everyone will be a little different. Just reintroduce activities gradually and see how you do, scaling back when soreness and/or bleeding occur. Even at 6 weeks i had bleeding and sorness after working in the yard the better part of a day.
Thanks @bookman65 - very useful information. Also nice that you mention where you had the procedure done, and by whom. I think it is important finding a trained Urologist.
@bookman65 I had aquablation done at the Mayo Clinic in August. I was told not to ride my bicycle for at 6 weeks and then to only go on short rides and slowly build up distance. I was also told no sexual activity for 4 weeks (I was able to resist for 3 weeks and 6 days :-). From my experience I would say take it slow for three to four weeks after the procedure. I was told that walking was the best exercise and was not given any restrictions on how far to walk. Prior to the procedure I rode my bike about 20 to 75 miles per week. I was worried that not riding would result in weight gain after the procedure, so I substituted walking. I may have over did it and experienced blood in my urine that lasted 3 full weeks (dark red) before subsiding. I have been in the clear since then, and my comfort and control of urination is greatly improved. So do take it easy for the rest of December. Also I learned after my three month followup with my urologist that I should avoid carbonated beverages including sparkling water, as that can lead to overactive bladder. I live in Iowa where tap water is poisoned by farm chemicals so I had the habit of drinking canned sparkling water. I cut that out and now have even better bladder control. Finally Kegel exercises are good but do not start doing them until a couple months past your procedure.
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@bookman65 Just want to mention I'm a road biker. I'm 14 months away from the procedure. Still peeing normally and no sexual dysfunction. I went on a 6 mile ride in September. I woke up the next morning with blood in my urine. First time since I healed from the procedure. I bought a more comfortable ergonomic saddle and thicker padded tights...haven't had a recurrence since. I didn't get back on my bike until 7 months after the procedure. Bike riding pounds into the prostate.