HoLEP procedure experiences?

I did have Dr. Dora! You’re in very good hands!

Yes. I believe Tamsulosin is not intended to fix all of the bladder retention. It does soften the prostate so that urine passes easier. I do not believe you can get 100% once a certain point is reached in terms of size of prostate.

Yes I underwent HoLEP procedure this August 1. I'm 77 diagnosed with prostate cancer 4 years ago and have been treated with ADT Lupron and more recently apalutamide (Erleada). I've lived with BPH for more than 20 years and used Flomax to help with urination. Worse was lost sleep with frequent nightime urination. Well, my urologist/oncologist suggested I consider radiation treatment for my metastisized prostate cancer. Radialogist said prostate was too large and radiation would cause too much inflamation and shut off my urination. Thus, HoLEP was recommended. Outcome was amazing!! Full recovery with normal urination and a good nights sleep. Only issue was the catheter for a week. A BIG BIG surprise was tissue analysis tested NEGATIVE for cancer. I and my doctor agreed to stop all cancer meds and begin monthly surveiance. Highly recommend HoLEP procedure. Very low risk and can give you complete relief from BPH. Do your research and compare to other procedures. I wish I had HoLEP 20 years ago. Good luck.

What a great story! One goes from thinking he has cancer…to no cancer and the best flow he’s had in 40 years! Great story….and so glad to hear that it was good news all around!

Hey, everybody - I wanted to come back to this post with an update. I had my HoLEP procedure this past Wednesday morning at Mayo (Jacksonville) with Dr. Dora and am doing well. What a difference! I arrived at 8:15 and was taken back about 15 minutes later. Everyone was amazing - put me at ease and answered any questions. I think I was the 2nd of his procedures that morning. I got taken back to surgery about 10:35 and was coherent again a little after 1:30. I was taken over to the Care Hotel, had the catheter out by 8:15 the next morning and completed my last appointment at 1:30 that afternoon. Since we live a few hours away, they recommended we stay in the area for another 24 hours, so we got a hotel on Jax Beach and we walked down the beach about half a mile that night to a restaurant. I was amazed to be up and that active so quickly. Heading home tomorrow. Thank you all for your responses!

Really glad it went so well! It is amazing, and I feel so very fortunate to have found Dr. Dora and HoLEP. It’s been 17 months since my HoLEP procedure…..everything is still great!

Had the HOLEP procedure in Indianapolis by Dr James Lingeman. Dr. Lingeman was the first Doctor in the USA to employ the HOLEP procedure. He has done thousands of HOLEP procedures. Make sure you select someone is experienced in HOLEP. Procedure was quick and able to urinate hours after surgery. I have been home one week and most of blood is gone, but occasional when ending urine discarge. Trying to get my bowels to operate normally....wonder if anyone has this issue. I am using Miralax but hate to be too dependent on Miralax. Does this bowel strain...go away . Thank you for any comments on recovery. Oh, how long does the HOTEP procedure last>?

It sounds like you definitely had a doctor with experience, which is the best thing you can do for yourself. I had my HoLep about 5 1/2 weeks ago. Don’t be alarmed if you had another few days where you see signs of bleeding again. I had about a week of mostly clear, then about more 3 days where there were signs of blood / small debris. I remembered my doctor saying that was to be expected as the internal scabs cleared.
As for bowel movement, I used Milk of Magnesia for the first couple of days. Then, if I went a couple of days with nothing, I took a stool softner like Colace. After the first week or so, I felt like that was pretty much back to normal so I stopped. The important thing, I think, was just to not have to strain to go.
From my understanding, once this is done, it should not be a problem with the prostate growing back… I will be so glad when the 10 pound weight restriction is over in about one more week!
I hope you continues to do well!

Thank you for taking the time to fill me in. I am one week out from procedure....clear urine, just a very occasional very light blood passage, mostly at the end of the urine release. I have seen the debris...only a few times, so thanks for the explanation. Feel much better...I had the Foley catheter in and out ( mostly in) for 1 1/2 YEARS...ouch. Just destroyed my normal life...constant pain, tugging and general poor feeling...hard to walk, or anything. Dr. that preformed the HOLEP, seemed concerned that I had the Foley in for so long.....But that's behind me now. Excellent flow, just more frequency. I try and go with the Milk/Magnesia plan as you suggest.....I think the Miralax is too much....I get these " hmm, do I go, feel like I should go, maybe not, "

Tip of the hat....hope all goes well for you....great comments.!!

I was diagnosed with Prostate CA. 6 months ago. Have had all testing done, including MRI directed biopsy ,Decipher, PSMA etc. I’m 71 and in good physical shape. I have BPH (100cc.), PSA is 7 with Flowmax, and Proscar, so true reading is 14. PSMA scan was negative for metastasis. I fall into Unfavorable/Intermediate Risk category, with Decipher score of 94.Gleason mostly 3+3, with 3 scores of 4+3. I’m in the Philadelphia area, so have had 2 sets of opinions with multiple oncologists from Jefferson University Hospital Dr’s and Fox Chase/Temple Health Dr’s. I’ve spoken to multiple friends and others re: their experience with surgery and decided the side effects were not for me,and that includes effects from radiation. My Dr’s think I could be a candidate for HELOP, TURP, and maybe radiation follow up. Has anyone had any experience with the same type of treatment .