Joined the forum today after last night reading through others experiences all the way back to 2024. While some experiences shared by forum members have been eye opening, ultimately spending time further educating myself on what to possibly expect seems time well spent.

I'm 65 and have been dealing with BPH since 2017. In 2017 I learned of a possible issue after an annual physical gave my general MD a slight concern during a digit exam. PSA tests have for the past 10 years been less than 1.0 and continue the same to this day. Urologist in 2017 did a cystoscopy and discovered hypervascular bladder neck w/ a large obstructing intravesical median lobe of the prostate which was acting as a ball valve causing urine retainment post void of 200+cc. Didn't feel comfortable with the Dr. at the time as he immediately wanted me to undergo TURP. Rx Uroxatral was not helpful and discontinued. I chose to put issue on the back burner as it was just not affecting lifestyle at the time...sleep wise or even in any noticeable voiding. After my first hernia surgery in 2019, anesthesia apparently caused my first inability to void post surgery and a catheter was used...painful experience. A few weeks later made an appointment with different highly recommended Urologist in here in AZ did some testing and another cysto. Found that my prostate had trilobar hyperplasia and agin the median lobe ball valving into the bladder. Estimated total protate tissue resectable as no more than 30 g. Bladder showed early trabeculation with cellule formation. Again, this was 2019. I was scheduled for TURP surgery and prescribed Tamsulosin to see if helpful. Well, it was very helpful to a point I and the surgeon thought ok to cancel surgery. He did think I'd eventually be back at that time. In 2021 and 2022 I had a couple more hernia surgeries...each time leading to the need for a catheter for a day or two. Anesthesia also does a number on me when it comes to bowel movement post surgery.

Fast forward to 2025 and after an appointment for a yearly testing for voiding/retention...it became clear that I had slowly over the past 3-4 years reached a new phase. Prior to testing I had for 5 days started taking (2) 0.4 Tamsolosin daily to help facilitate better voiding than I'd been experiencing. The nurse practitioner had recommended (2) a day a year prior but dizziness seemed to come along with taking...so I stayed with (1). The voiding test was done and I was holding 650cc with no pain and no real urge after the test. (10 minutes after testing I was able to void 50cc further). I was released until the following week for a set appointment with the nurse practioner. The day prior to that appointment...I woke and could not void at all. Back to the clinic that day where I was given the choice of a foley or self catheter 2 times daily. Reluctantly chose the self catheter. I'm currently using (4) self catheters daily and pretty tired of the daily planning involved in making that possible. Developed a UTI at some point recently and was placed on Cipro for 7 days. Then an issue w/ a need for a dental abstraction put me on another 7 day course of Cipro for precautionary reasons after that abstraction. In the meantime, because my surgeon was unable to get me into surgery until the end of April, a different surgeon has been recommended to me in Austin. I will travel there on 2/25 and I will be under his care for aquablation surgery. Planning to likely be in Austin for 3 weeks and have been advised that a catheter will remain the first 7 days.

After reading of the others experiences on the forum, I'll have to admit a bit of fear when it comes to post surgery issues...the first of which would be catheter blockages. Maybe since I have a smaller prostate possibly requiring less ablation...hopefully less chance of catheter blockage. I'll post again once surgery is complete. Any advice or insight from those who have similar size prostates and your experiences with post surgery healing and outcome is surely welcome. Sorry for the book...future posts much shorter.