Connect
HoLEP Success
I wanted to share my story of my successful HoLEP surgery and what led up to it. In 2005, at age 51, I complained about sudden strong bladder urges. It turned out I was not emptying my bladder. I complained to my primary physician multiple times, but he never referred my to a urologist. The force or pressure to urinate kept building. I never stopped urinating, but my bladder kept growing larger and larger. Finally I had back pain which turned out to kidney pain from urine backing up into my kidneys. A urologist in Denver drained my bladder, after I had pee’d, of 3 liters and told me I had damaged my kidneys and that I would never pee again. I used catheters for 20 years. I could no longer pee because I had a “flabby” bladder AND the reason for retainage was never addressed. Fast forward to 2025. My Mayo urologist in Phoenix, Dr Cheney, said the HoLEP procedure would allow me to pee again. Shrinking my prostate would also avoid having bladder stones which started to form because, even with a catheter, I was not emptying my bladder due to my bladder shape. I was skeptical fearing leakage problems and lack of ejaculate at orgasm. I asked a lot of questions, but moved forward. I am one week post surgery. I am peeing again!!! Fortunately I still had bladder squeeze which the doc knew going in. I really have no leakage, just a few drops between urinations. I am very happy with results so far. I have not yet had a sexual experience, but am preparing mentally for a “dry” orgasm. I wanted to share my story to talk about a, so far, successful HoLEP procedure. I’m not sure if I can update this story as I fully heal, but will try to do so. Thank you Dr Cheney and Mayo Clinic.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Men's Health Support Group.
Connect
Hi I am also thinking of HOLEP but I am concern about being able to have sexual experience an to what degree ? after please keep posting
Hoping the best
Glad for your positive outcome. I just had this procedure done and we'll see how things turn out.
I just wanted to say that when they removed my Foley catheter, I exploded uncontrollably in pain. I was shocked. Had no idea this might happen. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. A medical tech of some kind conducted the removal. Dear God, never again.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsMore HOLEP stories
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/holep-log/
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@bigj
I have about 95% feeling of my pre-op sensation. What you will miss is the feeling at the tip/end when ejaculating.
Additional Pre and post op experiences which are located on this forum.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/holep-log/
Symptoms similar to yours except no Kinney damage. Holep 4 years ago. Quality of life greatly improved. No Catheters, no frequency to urin, sleeping through the night, no sore touch to stomach area, no chronic prostatitis, no more bladder damage, no more pills and low PSA score. I had taken Flo-Max for over 10 years so "Dry Orgasm" was already present.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@relieffrompain
My Foley catheter removal was not pleasant and took my breath away, but not real painful. My penis tip is still sore from it, but recovering.
@relieffrompain
It’s very possible an inexperience tech did not first fully drain the saline fluid that fills a little balloon that holds the catheter in place. That would be really to bad.
I wondered the same thing. I watched as she performed the task and I never noticed her draining the balloon, although she may have.
They ran a catheter up yonder to test my bladder for something before the surgery. It too was so painful, I had no control over myself. She finally reached my bladder but the device wasn't working. Just my luck. No more catheters for me. It ain't worth it.
Problem is, I have my doubts that the LASER did the trick. Something isn't right. I'm old now and may just have to live with this silly problem. I wouldn't mind so much if I was having a heart transplant or something more significant than a reduction in my prostate, you know. I wanna go out like a real Man! kidding
@azmith
My tip feels like raw, freshly ground hamburger. I still can't pass pee through it without tripping a blow torch. I think urologists are conspiring against us boys. The available material to read for the average layperson pretty powerfully makes the case for the ease with which they fool around down there. "Mild pain". "Maybe some slight burning for a day or two." "Complications are quite rare." Blah blah blah. Each of them should have procedures performed on their privates before they turn them loose on a vulnerable, unsuspecting elderly bunch of malcontents. See how they like it!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSo True they should have procedures performed on their Pee Pee
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction