May 3rd was the big day for me, I had HOLEP Surgery at the JAX Mayo Hospital. I was there because my enlarged prostate was growing up and into my bladder which would have eventually caused problems as urine could back-up into the kidneys. I learned at 6:00 PM on May 2nd when to report to the Hospital. I reported 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time, I was called for surgery prep just before 12:30. As usual, the staff here is wonderful, I don’t think you can find a better place to have specialized treatment for many reasons. The prep nurse reviewed everything with me, double checking history, condition, tests. Dr. Dora came by to discuss things and make sure I had answers to any questions. The Anesthesiologist came and explained things and answered questions. Mayo has the process down! Efficient but never rushed. I was wheeled into surgery, an epidural was administered, and I have no memory beyond them preparing to administer the epidural. The procedure lasted 61 minutes, at least 53 grams of Prostate was removed. I woke up in recovery, and it took me 4 hours to become stable enough to be discharged. The Mayo Clinic Campus has a Courtyard Marriott Hotel within a few hundred yards of the Mayo Hospital, and because I was not local, I utilized a service called the Care Hotel. This means that I was transported to the hotel, taken to a room that was private, a nurse on staff until 11:00PM, and three ways of getting help if I needed it. So my wife and I stayed there in that room overnight. If I needed help, an I-Pad linked to the nursing staff for video link was by my bed. A special phone was available so that one button would call the nursing staff if I needed help or if something went wrong. I didn’t sleep very well that night primarily due to the Foley Catheter in place. You pee allot of bloody urine the first night which is completely normal, it can continue for a few weeks. I disliked the Foley catheter a great deal and was eager to have it removed. The following morning, I went back to Urology for my appointment where the Foley was removed. I felt liberated! Later that day, and after drinking about 80 oz of water, urinating several times, I went back to urology where they checked my urine retention status….mine was good and therefore I was effectively released! The timeline….I reported to surgery at 12:30 on Tuesday, and 26 hours later I was good to go. The Doctor asks that we stay Wednesday night in the area before driving 3 hours to our home. I’m home now, following the Doctors plan for recovery. I will go back to see him in 3 months. I am already urinating so much better, emptying my bladder, and the outlook for the future looks bright! I’m taking a stool softener to minimize any strain to the area while healing. The blood in the urine is looking much better! I’m still tender and sore, but I am improving everyday. While driving home I received the notice that my Pathology report was available. Of the 53 grams of prostate removed and submitted, all tissue was found to be free of any malignancy. I can’t say enough good things about the Mayo Clinic. It’s fabulous! You are in a good place when you’re at the Mayo!