Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations
After decades of pills to (partially) manage BPH, I am scheduled for aquablation at Mayo JAX in mid-Feb. Has anyone had that procedure done? What was post-surgery like? What were your experiences regarding regular vs. retrograde ejaculation?
My expectations are high. My general health is good+ (71 yo), my prostate is enlarged but not massive, my PSA's suggest no cancer concerns. The surgeon expects a low-risk procedure (no incisions I believe) and a quick recovery (unless something unexpected pops up). I appreciate it's impossible to predict surgical outcomes with certainty - I would like to hear of others' experiences to help set my expectations.
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@stevedc1 I think it depends a little on how much you delayed treatment and how much damage you may have done to your bladder as a result, but in general you should expect an immediate improvement in your urination and how much you have to get up at night. The biggest variance among us appears to be retention, frequency and retrograde ejaculation post procedure. The recovery for most is pretty rapid and very little pain. The catheter seems to be the biggest annoyance for most. My urologist offered PAE followed almost immediately by the aquablation so i only had the catheter for 24 hours, but i can understand the irritation. You have good reason to be very positive, even those who have had poorer results are generally better off. There are some, very few, with bad results but I think that is often a result of delaying treatment or age. My own recovery over the last 4 months has not been perfect, but I'm still tremendously better off and I feel lucky that this technology is now available compared to other procedures.
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3 Reactions@stevedc1 From my experience I would say Aquablation is very successful. Five months after the procedure I have good control over my bladder and urine. I have had no issues with ejaculation. But my bladder control results were not immediate. They seemed to improve with time, so stay optimistic. I still have to get up one or two times some nights to pee, but it comes easier. I do not have to strain, so I am able to get back to sleep. On occasion I still have to rush to a toilet, but is much rarer than pre-procedure and something I can live with. Behavioral changes have also helped. I avoid carbonated beverages, including sparkling water, and I try to avoid liquids about 4 hours before bedtime. I do Kegel exercises for the pelvic floor, but they should not be started until a few months after the procedure. Good luck.
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3 Reactions@stevedc1 I had the catheter in for 6 days and its been out for 11 days now. My prostate was quite large at 140cc, which apparently affects how long recovery will be. Smaller gland procedures heal more quickly. Since the first day the catheter was removed, urination came very easily with a good stream. Burning was fairly substantial and I still have it, but each day is getting better. Same with urgency and frequency. Each day is getting better and I'm very optimistic that a few weeks from now symptoms will hopefully be 100% resolved. Good luck!
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2 Reactions@joez26 I had a weak and even non-ejaculation issue before and after aquablation. Before the procedure, I place the blame on tamsulosin, which relaxes all muscles including the sphincter muscles essential for ejaculation. Even my sneezes were weak. Seems to me that medication takes away almost all of life's pleasures.
Post-aquablation, ejaculation started weakly then gradually got better. Aquablation can affect the sphincter muscle surrounding the neck of the bladder. Practice makes perfect or at least a noticeable improvement (pardon the humor).
Nonetheless it's reasonable to expect an improvement. Best of luck.
@vtredwolf
Good day. I just saw your kind response. Sorry not thanking you earlier. My last situation is: I found out that my last urologist took only 33 cc out of 187 cc prostate. Which is only % 17.8 of the whole prostate. I think he fell into sleep with his Robot during the surgery. He told me he wants to do a TURP. I cannot believe it. I made an appointment with Jacksonville Mayo Clinique I will see what happens. Have a pleasant day.