Aquablation: Post-surgery expectations

Update on my aquablation surgery on 2/25/26 in Austin TX w/ Dr. David Cuellar @ St David’s S Austin.

As mentioned in previous posts, I traveled from Phoenix for this surgery as the surgeon came very highly recommended, well over 2k aquablation under his belt. The surgery in Phoenix would not have happened until early April and they were leaning towards the Holep. Wanted to address asap as I’d been self catheterizing 4 times daily since mid December and was tired of the ball and chain of that routine.

The surgery was performed at around 9a and a spinal anesthesia was utilized. Going into, had no idea of that type anesthesia process but it turned out no big deal. In recovery I experienced a heart rate drop for around 30 minutes but was brought back to norm relatively quickly and said to be associated with the anesthesia. Spent one night in hospital w/ catheter. Throughout that stay and for the next 6 days, flow into catheter bag remained of a fruit punch color which I was told optimal. Released and spent next day in hotel room w/ a friend then moved into a relatives apartment downtown. Over the next few days I used a 562ml leg bag during day and each night switched to a 2000ml bag at night. No surprises, blockages or any other concerns for next days up to my follow up appointment w/ nurse practioner 3/03. On 3/03 my bladder was tested by fillin my bladder with 240 ml of solution (to a point my bladder gave me the immediate urge to void), then the catheter was pulled and about a minute later I was able to void 300ml…more than passing the test! Was a huge relief to see things work normally. With that result I was told that I would need to stay in town until a new 3/13 appointment for urine flow and retention testing. On 3/04 I began having issues voiding and had to use a self catheter 4 times between 800p and 9a the next day when I made an appt to be seen. In the 3/05 appt a bladder flush was done and returned no negative results of a blockage. Was told the partial retention starting 3/04 may have been result of post surgery inflammation or start of a uti. I also had seen small particles in urine which may have been scabs creating a semi block. (Waiting over the weekend for results of a ur analysis). Did fine from afternoon of 3/05 after the flush appt thru afternoon of 3/07. Then around 700p 3/07 starting voiding what appear mostly blood. Immediately called after hours doc and they pushed drinking even more water and to start using Cipro med previously prescribed. (I’d held off starting to use this 3rd round of Cipro rx in the span of a month and a half until I was able to see results of 3/05 urinalysis). By 1100p the eve of 3/07 my urine was once again near normal and flow returned at very near normal. More scab debris noted in urine. This morning things seem to have normalized after a good nights sleep with around 4 overnight bathroom visits after consuming so much water. So far, I’ve avoided any emergency room visits and feel like things may be healing normally. Hope to leave Austin back home to Phoenix 3/14 after going to the testing appt on 3/13. Overall very pleased with results of aquablation so far but also know to be ready for minor roadblocks along the way in coming weeks. Size of prostate by the way was 49g noted by surgeon. I’m 65 yes old and had a large median lobe protruding into bladder prior to the surgery.

Update on my aquablation surgery on 2/25/26 in Austin TX w/ Dr. David Cuellar @ St David’s S Austin.

As mentioned in previous posts, I traveled from Phoenix for this surgery as the surgeon came very highly recommended, well over 2k aquablation under his belt. The surgery in Phoenix would not have happened until early April and they were leaning towards the Holep. Wanted to address asap as I’d been self catheterizing 4 times daily since mid December and was tired of the ball and chain of that routine.

The surgery was performed at around 9a and a spinal anesthesia was utilized. Going into, had no idea of that type anesthesia process but it turned out no big deal. In recovery I experienced a heart rate drop for around 30 minutes but was brought back to norm relatively quickly and said to be associated with the anesthesia. Spent one night in hospital w/ catheter. Throughout that stay and for the next 6 days, flow into catheter bag remained of a fruit punch color which I was told optimal. Released and spent next day in hotel room w/ a friend then moved into a relatives apartment downtown. Over the next few days I used a 562ml leg bag during day and each night switched to a 2000ml bag at night. No surprises, blockages or any other concerns for next days up to my follow up appointment w/ nurse practioner 3/03. On 3/03 my bladder was tested by fillin my bladder with 240 ml of solution (to a point my bladder gave me the immediate urge to void), then the catheter was pulled and about a minute later I was able to void 300ml…more than passing the test! Was a huge relief to see things work normally. With that result I was told that I would need to stay in town until a new 3/13 appointment for urine flow and retention testing. On 3/04 I began having issues voiding and had to use a self catheter 4 times between 800p and 9a the next day when I made an appt to be seen. In the 3/05 appt a bladder flush was done and returned no negative results of a blockage. Was told the partial retention starting 3/04 may have been result of post surgery inflammation or start of a uti. I also had seen small particles in urine which may have been scabs creating a semi block. (Waiting over the weekend for results of a ur analysis). Did fine from afternoon of 3/05 after the flush appt thru afternoon of 3/07. Then around 700p 3/07 starting voiding what appear mostly blood. Immediately called after hours doc and they pushed drinking even more water and to start using Cipro med previously prescribed. (I’d held off starting to use this 3rd round of Cipro rx in the span of a month and a half until I was able to see results of 3/05 urinalysis). By 1100p the eve of 3/07 my urine was once again near normal and flow returned at very near normal. More scab debris noted in urine. This morning things seem to have normalized after a good nights sleep with around 4 overnight bathroom visits after consuming so much water. So far, I’ve avoided any emergency room visits and feel like things may be healing normally. Hope to leave Austin back home to Phoenix 3/14 after going to the testing appt on 3/13. Overall very pleased with results of aquablation so far but also know to be ready for minor roadblocks along the way in coming weeks. Size of prostate by the way was 49g noted by surgeon. I’m 65 yes old and had a large median lobe protruding into bladder prior to the surgery.

Thanks for a very detailed and informative story @b140, - I'm just wondering, - do you really need to stay near the hospital from Feb. 25th all the way to March 14th ? I'm asking because that is quite a hotel bill if you do not have relatives around, and need to travel like you did!

Thanks for a very detailed and informative story @b140, - I'm just wondering, - do you really need to stay near the hospital from Feb. 25th all the way to March 14th ? I'm asking because that is quite a hotel bill if you do not have relatives around, and need to travel like you did!

@sorentj during the time after surgery…I was scheduled one week afterwards for the catheter removal and the voiding test, another appointment two days later due to my need for self catheterizing over a 12 hour period…possibly due to inflammation, and then the third appt coming this Friday to test flow rate and other measurements. Also, this past Saturday night I used the emergency after hours on call doctor for a phone consultation as to how to handle a large amount of blood in urine. These were the four needs during the the two week post operative period. If I’d gone back to Phoenix it’s likely I would have had to make use of an emergency visit to a hospital as my previous urology office made it known they could not do follow up on a surgery performed elsewhere. Now that I’m on the road to a seemingly good recovery, I’ll be building a relationship with a new Urologist in Phoenix recommended by this Austin surgeon.

Update on my aquablation surgery on 2/25/26 in Austin TX w/ Dr. David Cuellar @ St David’s S Austin.

As mentioned in previous posts, I traveled from Phoenix for this surgery as the surgeon came very highly recommended, well over 2k aquablation under his belt. The surgery in Phoenix would not have happened until early April and they were leaning towards the Holep. Wanted to address asap as I’d been self catheterizing 4 times daily since mid December and was tired of the ball and chain of that routine.

The surgery was performed at around 9a and a spinal anesthesia was utilized. Going into, had no idea of that type anesthesia process but it turned out no big deal. In recovery I experienced a heart rate drop for around 30 minutes but was brought back to norm relatively quickly and said to be associated with the anesthesia. Spent one night in hospital w/ catheter. Throughout that stay and for the next 6 days, flow into catheter bag remained of a fruit punch color which I was told optimal. Released and spent next day in hotel room w/ a friend then moved into a relatives apartment downtown. Over the next few days I used a 562ml leg bag during day and each night switched to a 2000ml bag at night. No surprises, blockages or any other concerns for next days up to my follow up appointment w/ nurse practioner 3/03. On 3/03 my bladder was tested by fillin my bladder with 240 ml of solution (to a point my bladder gave me the immediate urge to void), then the catheter was pulled and about a minute later I was able to void 300ml…more than passing the test! Was a huge relief to see things work normally. With that result I was told that I would need to stay in town until a new 3/13 appointment for urine flow and retention testing. On 3/04 I began having issues voiding and had to use a self catheter 4 times between 800p and 9a the next day when I made an appt to be seen. In the 3/05 appt a bladder flush was done and returned no negative results of a blockage. Was told the partial retention starting 3/04 may have been result of post surgery inflammation or start of a uti. I also had seen small particles in urine which may have been scabs creating a semi block. (Waiting over the weekend for results of a ur analysis). Did fine from afternoon of 3/05 after the flush appt thru afternoon of 3/07. Then around 700p 3/07 starting voiding what appear mostly blood. Immediately called after hours doc and they pushed drinking even more water and to start using Cipro med previously prescribed. (I’d held off starting to use this 3rd round of Cipro rx in the span of a month and a half until I was able to see results of 3/05 urinalysis). By 1100p the eve of 3/07 my urine was once again near normal and flow returned at very near normal. More scab debris noted in urine. This morning things seem to have normalized after a good nights sleep with around 4 overnight bathroom visits after consuming so much water. So far, I’ve avoided any emergency room visits and feel like things may be healing normally. Hope to leave Austin back home to Phoenix 3/14 after going to the testing appt on 3/13. Overall very pleased with results of aquablation so far but also know to be ready for minor roadblocks along the way in coming weeks. Size of prostate by the way was 49g noted by surgeon. I’m 65 yes old and had a large median lobe protruding into bladder prior to the surgery.

@b140 thank you for the thorough writeup. Yes, inflamation aftervany prostate procedure is a concern and needs to be watched in case acute tetention kicks in. You mention you had a large median lobe growing into your. Same with me. Aquablation did not get it all out and after my AB I still had significant retention issues. Five months after AB dr had to go back in and used limited turp to get rid of remaining obstructing tissue, mainly median lobe. Recovering now from that. Will see if the post void retention PVR improves.

I had the same pain it took awhile to stop I’m 3 months out and everything feels good

I had my AquaBlation two months ago, seems that my urethra is damaged as I urinate in a fan shape stream as opposed to my previous regular pattern. Don't know if it's because of scar tissue or the three port large diameter catheter that was used post operative? Either way can't strand up and pee into a toilet bowl without getting urine on floor, had to sit on toilet and direct penis down?
Also after I urinate about 10 minutes later have to empty bladder again from residual urine. Otherwise my recovery was fine , still at night have to get up after four hours, doctor says give it another month and see if their is any improvement.