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.