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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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@dfwcraig My doctor wrote the appeal and I am happy to say I got approval yesterday. Procedure in a few weeks. I guess the insurance company did not want to deal with me. I can be brutal, ha!
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1 Reaction@psblin99
Blue Cross Blue Shield would not cover Aquablation for me. I waited 5 months when I turned 65 and it was covered by Medicare. I was told the hospital business office that BCBS was one of the few insurance companies that considers Aquablation experimental.
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1 ReactionI get the procedure, they wake me up. Can any of you tell me what to expect for say, the next 24 hours?
@psblin99
I spent the night in the hospital with a catheter and and IV that was used to flush my bladder. It was carefully monitored every couple of hours. As the night and next day went on there was less and less blood in my urine. The nurses got me up to walk around. I was offered pain meds and really did not experience too much discomfort. The catheter was a bit irritating but not painful.
The next afternoon when my urine was a light pink, I was released from the hospital with a catheter. One catheter bag was designed to be worn on my leg under my clothing so that I could be up and about. At night I switched to a larger catheter bag that would get me through the night without having to empty it until morning. A nurse taught me how to switch between the two.
Four days after the procedure I returned to the hospital to have the catheter removed. I was then tested to see if I could pee on my own. I could easily pee and was sent home with instructions to return in several weeks for a followup exam.
Some advice for post procedure recovery: take the prescribed meds, especially the anti bladder spasm pills (I tried to do without and regretted it). Drink lots of water (but not sparkling or carbonated as it may irritate the bladder). Do some walking to keep your body moving, but not too much. I over did the exercising and I think that may have set my recovery back. Take it easy for the first three weeks after the procedure. It took 3 to 4 months for me to fully realize the benefits of the procedure. I am now really happy with the outcome.
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1 ReactionThanks. That helps. My doctor expects me not to stay in the hospital overnight. One thing I find odd is that he only does the procedures on Thursday's. I have an appointment to see him the next Monday. When I questioned the need for the catheter until then. He said I could remove it myself and he would show me how. If I need him on Friday I don't know if he will be around or on the golf course. I need to find this out.
@psblin99
Based on my experience I would advise you not to take any shortcuts. My procedure was done on Thursday. I was released from the hospital on Friday. The catheter was removed on Monday. Three to four days with the catheter was not a problem for me. I was able to walk quit a bit with the catheter. I went to a museum and a grocery store. But you really should take it easy for a few days while your body heals. Do nothing strenuous. Walking is the extent of activity that you should do. The catheter was only mildly uncomfortable during brief periods. You do have to move slowly so the tube is not pulled on too much. It was annoying to have the thing attached to my body and I worried about spilling urine, but in the end it was not a problem. The mild irritation for a few days was well with the results of Aquablation.
@kocour Very good advice. Thanks
@psblin99 If you plan on taking the catheter out yourself, I advise you try and lubricate the part right where it comes out as best you can. Also, you should cut the line that goes to the valve you use to release the inside bulb, make darn sure there is NO volume left in the internal bulb!! I have had one bad experience doing it myself. My wife worked it out pretty easy until it got about 1/2" from coming out. We thought about reinserting it, but I just bit down on a hand towel and she went for it. Worst pain I have had in my life!! Bled a little too. That was from my TURP done 10 years ago. This last one was an aquablation, and like everyone else, it was taken out by a doctor the next day, near painless. And, I didn't go home with a catheter either. Hard to call it a nice experience, but near to nice as can be expected.
@fireman123 thanks
@fireman123 w
Whatever the doctor says I will do.