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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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Thanks for the information.
I wonder, though, with that amount of time (six weeks), how much the muscle training was the predominant factor versus cutting out my favorite beverages (Hahaha)?
I'll see my doctor next week and run this by him. Meanwhile, I can certainly start the physical exercises. Any muscle training is like planting a tree: The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is today.
@garysc
I’m at five weeks and one day post procedure.
I also had immense discomfort when urinating, mainly towards the end. Felt in bladder area and assumed it was bladder spasm? This very very slowly diminished over time. Over the last week I still feel something but it’s not a bother at all any more. I do still have urgency and when I go, maybe one or two ounces come out. I don’t wake up at night any more, and in the morning it’s quite a bit more than two ounces, so I’m not sure why during the day I get such urgency when I know it can wait based on overnight experience.
I did travel recently and was nervous about it. Four hour flight, and I did ok. I went just before boarding, and by the time the plane levels out, I was able to go again. I think I went a total of three times on that flight but likely due to coffee and mimosas in the lounge pre-flight and during flight. Return flight was better with less urgency.
I think it’s just a very slow process to recover, but I do notice a tiny improvement each day.
@garysc
I had the urgency and couldn't hold it for almost 2 months after the procedure. I started wearing Depends if I was running errands or going to work. Kept a couple spares in the car and even in my coat pocket. They saved me embarrassment many times. AZO also helps with pain.
I am just 3 months post-op and think things are finally normal. I can safely control the urge and have no pain. Was a long haul though.
@randman A big thanks for your update. Just before my surgery, I asked my Dr. if I needed Depends, and he scoffed it off, saying, "… there'll be no need. If you want, you can get some pads." Well, I could have used Depends for about a week after surgery (I was peeing past my catheter and there was blood, far more than the pads could hold). I was hoping that this was one of the last things I'd have to deal with, and your comment about three months gives me a ballpark target. It could be more, it could be less. But it's something to hang on to.
At this point, I'm not using AZO (I have an unused box if I need it) because you can only take it for a couple of days at a time, and so far, I am coping. It is strange, though, the more pee I get rid of, the less pain there is. I do not understand that physiology.
I had aquablation surgery in Nov 2025. I had urine retention on one occasion requiring a trip to the ER and several other close calls. I stayed in the hospital overnight with a catheter as my bladder was flushed. The next day I was discharged with the catheter. Despite encouragement from my Urologist to get up and move around I was basically in bed for four days. I found it incredibly painful to try and move around with catheter. Five days later the catheter was removed and I was able to urinate basically blood. This lasted about three weeks and now two months removed from surgery I feel great. I am now able to empty my bladder when I urinate and everything I do does not revolve around availability of a bathroom. Aquablation worked for me.
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3 Reactions@glnevins
Sorry about the rough patch you had but very glad it was ultimately successful. 👍
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1 ReactionHad aquablation on Jan 20, 2026. (Previously had Green Laser PVP in Oct 2023. Worked only one year.) no pain with Aquablation operation. Catheter in for 7 days. Got use to it after a few days. Some blood caught by catheter for first 3 days. After catheter out, no pain, a few drops of blood at beginning of urination. Still drinking a lot of water. Now on 2nd day after catheter removal. Peeing well. So far this is a good news story. Will update in one week.
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5 Reactions@joseflesh
Some responses for you:
1) Yes, I know I'm very lucky to have a very understanding wife who's been absolutely fantastic through this. I'll support you through these words. I wish I could do more.
2) Yes, stay positive. After reading through these messages, I do not think that there has been any situation that is "new." New to the individual, yes, but once you see others have it, you no longer live in a shell.
3) Yes, my doctor has also been remote. My brother-in-law had a prostectomy at the same hospital as I am going through, and talking with him, it does appear to be in the urology department; patient follow-through does appear to be wanting. I can say the asthma department is fantastic. Who knew that different departments at the same hospital were each independently owned and operated!?
4) Yup.
Two weeks since my aquablation operation and one week since the catheter was removed. So far no pain, no burning sensation. A little blood at start of urination and a little blood at end of urination. Getting up to pee every 2 hours at night since I still drink a lot of water all day and into the evening before I go to bed. I will cut back on the water in the evening and see how it goes at night.
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1 Reaction@stevedc1 17 days since my aquablation. Initially had catheter for first 7 days. All was going well up until last evening. Before I was peeing a good stream with a little squirt of blood at the start and finish of urination. But this changed with a full heavy stream of blood. Thereafter, on subsequent trips to the toilet, blood and blood clots, and a weak stream, followed by only drops of blood and unable to pee. Went to emergency, and had a catheter reinstalled and bladder irrigated. Now catheter will stay in for 7 days. Thankfully, no pain. Will update status thereafter.