I had aquablation procedure in mid August. I am wondering if I should do Kegel exercises to strengthen my pelvic floor and further improve control of urination. Kegel exercises were never mentioned by my physician or his team. Could there be downsides to doing them?
@kocour . I had the aquablation done on June 24, 2025. I developed OAB and my urologist prescribed Pelvic therapy and Kegel exercises. I started from using 6 pad/briefs daily to now down 2 to three. I developed OAB after 4 weeks. I was done with my pelvic exercises with the physical therapist on October 14. He gave me home exercises to do for another for weeks and Kegel exercises for life.
@jaemiami any improvement with the overactive bladder. I am five weeks out and having some OAB intermittently as well. Doc today recommended Meds for it, but I too and split on whether to start or let the healing playing out, hoping it improves on its own??
Well finely got a response from KUMC, said I signed the document which was false, I signed a square on a tablet over my head after being woke up from anesthesia, then put back out. They still won't admit I signed that document during procedure or being woke up to sign it. They do admit I signed a tablet document the next day, to put in a catheter replacement ( and that was also just a signature block which I wasn't allowed to read the whole document). I do remember signing that one and they explained to me what it said that I never seen, but that procedure went fine. There was a blockage that the nurse couldn't get catheter in that I was to wear home. They had some resident come in and do something special that nurse couldn't do to get catheter in place, some kind of stiffer tube with camera.
They say in the letter that KUMC is a training hospital and having a resident do the surgery was appropriate and within hospital policy. Supposedly my real surgeon who I had discussed things with and said would do surgery was around somewhere. A document I read later that I supposedly signed said he could actually be doing another surgery but would be available according to policy.
Anyway my aquablation was a painful few weeks and was worthless and back on Flowmax. I really wanted to be off Flowmax as I have been needing cataract for 2 years and it can't be put off any longer. Flowmax can cause problems while doing cataract surgery (floppy iris).
Anyway, I think aquablation could be fine if done right by experience surgeon and not a resident in training. You might want to insure you don't get a resident in training or just stay away from a facility that is also a medical school?
KUMC did good with my total ankle replacement. I had same talk with that doctor and he actually did the surgery, I told him I didn't want a resident and he said they would just be there to assist and watch and close up. Wife had good experience with back surgery, real surgeon did the work.
Wish you all good luck with your aquablation procedure and hopefully you aren't used to train a resident. .
Well finely got a response from KUMC, said I signed the document which was false, I signed a square on a tablet over my head after being woke up from anesthesia, then put back out. They still won't admit I signed that document during procedure or being woke up to sign it. They do admit I signed a tablet document the next day, to put in a catheter replacement ( and that was also just a signature block which I wasn't allowed to read the whole document). I do remember signing that one and they explained to me what it said that I never seen, but that procedure went fine. There was a blockage that the nurse couldn't get catheter in that I was to wear home. They had some resident come in and do something special that nurse couldn't do to get catheter in place, some kind of stiffer tube with camera.
They say in the letter that KUMC is a training hospital and having a resident do the surgery was appropriate and within hospital policy. Supposedly my real surgeon who I had discussed things with and said would do surgery was around somewhere. A document I read later that I supposedly signed said he could actually be doing another surgery but would be available according to policy.
Anyway my aquablation was a painful few weeks and was worthless and back on Flowmax. I really wanted to be off Flowmax as I have been needing cataract for 2 years and it can't be put off any longer. Flowmax can cause problems while doing cataract surgery (floppy iris).
Anyway, I think aquablation could be fine if done right by experience surgeon and not a resident in training. You might want to insure you don't get a resident in training or just stay away from a facility that is also a medical school?
KUMC did good with my total ankle replacement. I had same talk with that doctor and he actually did the surgery, I told him I didn't want a resident and he said they would just be there to assist and watch and close up. Wife had good experience with back surgery, real surgeon did the work.
Wish you all good luck with your aquablation procedure and hopefully you aren't used to train a resident. .
Wow, today things just got worse and very confusing. I got the Aquablation on 2/12/24. Got a letter from a company WPS who works for Medicare doing reviews WPS is Wisconsin Physician Service who contracted by Medicare to review appeals.
It seems Medicare denied the aquablation surgery claim, then KUMC appealed, WPS processes the appeals. WPC denied the appeal by KUMC. I didn't know any of this was going on! They do mention in the denial that a resident under direction of a teaching procedure code 0421T-GC. It says KUMC can appeal to a Qualified Independent Contractor within 180 days. It looks like a payment was made on 7/11/2025, but then KUMC was sent a letter saying it was an over payment and wanted they payment returned as the procedure was considered medically not necessary. They said the decision was made in accordance with the WPS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L38682. It Seems KUMC did not provide Prostate Symptom Score and urinary flow rate report to support the service. I know they did all these test as they had be peeing through a wire screen, filled my bladder up and seen how much I had left in me using a catheter to drain, plus a bunch of other test like scoping and ultrasound up the rear end. They did hours of testing, it was awful.
Just more of a mess that didn't work or do me any good! And then for them to tell me this last August we should do a revision. You would think they would know about this payment problem? I am really mad- I toned that down a bunch.
They did say in the letter from WPS "We have also determined that the provider is responsible for the cost of the service(s). Said that in 2 different places.
I hope it's true, I just can't deal with a lawsuit. Got way to many issues dealing with, didn't need this.
I am five weeks out from having had aquablation procedure. I am writing a detailed account of my experience to give other men who are considering the procedure an idea of what you might experience, and to encourage those who are now going through the early recovery process.
I am 65 years old and my prostate was 114 CC before the procedure. I experienced frequent urgency to urinate. At other times I had had to stain to empty my bladder. My stream was often weak and some times split into two or more. I woke up about three or four times per night needing to urinate.
I had the aquablation procedure in mid-August. I spent the night in the hospital and was released the next day with a catheter. I had the catheter for three days and returned to the hospital to have it removed on day four after the procedure. I experienced very little pain as a result of the process, but did find the catheter slightly irritating. The worst part was the bladder spasms when I felt the urge to urinate while the catheter was still in. I had been prescribed a med to minimize spasms, but I avoided taking. I highly recommend taking the prescription.
After the catheter removal I had a slight stinging sensation when urinating the first few days, but that soon subsided. I had a forceful urine stream. I was advised to drink lots of water so I was drinking at least 12 to 20 oz every hour. My urine did have blood usually just at the beginning of the stream. Urine color was a light cranberry color.
By day six after the procedure I felt great, so I became more active and walked 5 to 6 miles that day. Then the blood in the urine intensified and I saw a few blood clots 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter. Urine color became a dark red and thicker, but never got to the ketchup thickness that I was warned about. I increased my intake in of water and rested. I walked no more than 1 to 1.5 miles per day (I think over doing the walking early after the procedure may have set me back). My urine remained dark red for a few days, but gradually lightened. At day 21 after the procedure my urine was clear and has stayed clear.
My advice from the experience is not to over do any activity the first week after having the catheter out. I also recommend taking the MiraLax that had been prescribed for easier bowl movements for the first week or two after the procedure. Straining may put pressure on a healing prostate and may have lead to the increased bleeding that I experienced.
During the first three weeks after the procedure I had a few involuntary erections, but abstained form any form of sex. My written hospital release instructions said to abstain from sex for four weeks. At week three and six days I took maters into my own hand and had successful orgasm. The semen seemed a bit lighter in viscosity than prior to the procedure, but there was plenty of it and I was satisfied. I did notice for a day or two after my orgasm there was slight stinging sensation in my urethra when I urinated. This might have been my imagination.
Most of the time I have found it easy to empty my bladder and my stream is strong, but there have been a few occasions where I have had to strain to urinate, but that has been rare. I have experienced some urgency to urinate (probably less then 15% of the time) and have lightly urinated in my pants a couple of times before reaching the toilet. I have learned that while I am away from home I should use public restrooms when I seem them available, or before setting out for a long walk. I have been waking 1 or 2 times at night needing to urinate. An improvement to prior to the procedure, but I am hoping that night time urination will get even less necessary. I have put a reminder on my calendar to stop drinking liquids after 8:00 PM.
I have gone into all of this detail to make the point that there may be ups and downs during recovery. I was really worried when blood in the urine had increased, but after a week or two of worry my urine cleared up and I feel great. I have much more control than I did before the procedure and am hoping that daytime urgency and the need to urinate during the night deceases a bit more with time.
I also found this very helpful. I am only six days past my aquablation, and am beginning to log my experiences as well. Part of my motivation was having to get up 4-6 times nightly, with the urge to urinate but very little success. Along with being disruptive vis-a-vis sleep, I developed late-onset seizure disorder (i.e. epilepsy), and not sleeping well is a trigger for seizure activities, Consequently, I had this additional motivation to get the aquablation surgery. The procedure itself seems to have gone well (yes, it's only been six days), but the catheter was really awful to contend with. However, my medical team did a good job preparing me for the "routine and generally anticipated" side effects (my quotation marks) of both the surgery and the post-surgery recovery, so none of what I am currently experiencing is unexpected to me.
Finally, I am a very active, almost 70-year-old man, so your comments about taking it easy for the first few weeks were a very important reminder to me, since I'm already anxious to get back to my usual outdoor routine. Hearing what some of the other men in this group are going through is really sad/hard, and I wish all of them (and myself) the best as we proceed in the healing process.
Allcon:
Haven't posted in a while. Age 67 and now heading into my third procedure to regarding BPH. First AE procedure did not work; second aquablation (~9 months ago) did have positive impact (urgency, stream, periodicity, no sexual impact). However, as I documented in earlier postings I exercise a good bit and after a run there was a good bit of blood in the urine and deposits/pieces of calcified material being passed. After a scope and MRI it was determined that via my healing process there are now a "garden" of prostate stones causing irritation, bleeding, and being passed through urination. So what to do; 1. Nothing - not a good option as I want to run and not bleed and if one of these stones gets stuck in the urethrae I have another serious problem, 2. laser the stones and perhaps go home with a catheter and no guarantee they will not reappear; 3. Laser the stones and the prostate which means a catheter and longer recovery than 2. I chose door #2 and scheduled for laser surgery 9 Oct.
Never knew there was such a thing as prostate stones and my surgeon has seen them before but the first time he has seen them occur due to aquablation. Getting old is not for the faint of heart.
I'll be 70 in 6 weeks. Getting old is, as you say, not for the faint of heart nor is it easy. Tough to stay positive sometimes, but there's no alternative.
I also found this very helpful. I am only six days past my aquablation, and am beginning to log my experiences as well. Part of my motivation was having to get up 4-6 times nightly, with the urge to urinate but very little success. Along with being disruptive vis-a-vis sleep, I developed late-onset seizure disorder (i.e. epilepsy), and not sleeping well is a trigger for seizure activities, Consequently, I had this additional motivation to get the aquablation surgery. The procedure itself seems to have gone well (yes, it's only been six days), but the catheter was really awful to contend with. However, my medical team did a good job preparing me for the "routine and generally anticipated" side effects (my quotation marks) of both the surgery and the post-surgery recovery, so none of what I am currently experiencing is unexpected to me.
Finally, I am a very active, almost 70-year-old man, so your comments about taking it easy for the first few weeks were a very important reminder to me, since I'm already anxious to get back to my usual outdoor routine. Hearing what some of the other men in this group are going through is really sad/hard, and I wish all of them (and myself) the best as we proceed in the healing process.
Thanks @rolfwi. I think we all are wondering, - where should I have it done and by whom? The doctors skill is important.
Where and who did you procedure?
Thanks @rolfwi. I think we all are wondering, - where should I have it done and by whom? The doctors skill is important.
Where and who did you procedure?
@sorentj I had aquablation done in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Lomas was the surgeon. I received excellent treatment from the surgical team and the Urology Department. I traveled about 3.5 fours from my home and spent five days in Rochester. I arrived a day early and stayed over the weekend after the procedure in order to have the catheter removed on Monday. I had also traveled to Rochester in March for evaluation and then again in November for a follow up after the procedure. I am happy with the results. It was well worth the traveling and time to have the procedure preformed at a top notch medical center.
@sorentj I had aquablation done in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Lomas was the surgeon. I received excellent treatment from the surgical team and the Urology Department. I traveled about 3.5 fours from my home and spent five days in Rochester. I arrived a day early and stayed over the weekend after the procedure in order to have the catheter removed on Monday. I had also traveled to Rochester in March for evaluation and then again in November for a follow up after the procedure. I am happy with the results. It was well worth the traveling and time to have the procedure preformed at a top notch medical center.
Thank you so much @kocour. Yes that is what we are all searching for: a top notch doctor and hospital!
Any incontinence, or RE? How often do you have to get up at night now?
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@kocour . I had the aquablation done on June 24, 2025. I developed OAB and my urologist prescribed Pelvic therapy and Kegel exercises. I started from using 6 pad/briefs daily to now down 2 to three. I developed OAB after 4 weeks. I was done with my pelvic exercises with the physical therapist on October 14. He gave me home exercises to do for another for weeks and Kegel exercises for life.
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1 Reaction@tncbrown, you might find this blog post helpful:
- Control frequent urges with bladder training https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/control-of-frequent-urges-with-bladder-training/
Has the overactive bladder improved over the past couple of weeks?
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1 ReactionWell finely got a response from KUMC, said I signed the document which was false, I signed a square on a tablet over my head after being woke up from anesthesia, then put back out. They still won't admit I signed that document during procedure or being woke up to sign it. They do admit I signed a tablet document the next day, to put in a catheter replacement ( and that was also just a signature block which I wasn't allowed to read the whole document). I do remember signing that one and they explained to me what it said that I never seen, but that procedure went fine. There was a blockage that the nurse couldn't get catheter in that I was to wear home. They had some resident come in and do something special that nurse couldn't do to get catheter in place, some kind of stiffer tube with camera.
They say in the letter that KUMC is a training hospital and having a resident do the surgery was appropriate and within hospital policy. Supposedly my real surgeon who I had discussed things with and said would do surgery was around somewhere. A document I read later that I supposedly signed said he could actually be doing another surgery but would be available according to policy.
Anyway my aquablation was a painful few weeks and was worthless and back on Flowmax. I really wanted to be off Flowmax as I have been needing cataract for 2 years and it can't be put off any longer. Flowmax can cause problems while doing cataract surgery (floppy iris).
Anyway, I think aquablation could be fine if done right by experience surgeon and not a resident in training. You might want to insure you don't get a resident in training or just stay away from a facility that is also a medical school?
KUMC did good with my total ankle replacement. I had same talk with that doctor and he actually did the surgery, I told him I didn't want a resident and he said they would just be there to assist and watch and close up. Wife had good experience with back surgery, real surgeon did the work.
Wish you all good luck with your aquablation procedure and hopefully you aren't used to train a resident. .
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1 Reaction@diverjer
Thank you for the followup up information and your cautionary story. I hope that over time some positive things develop from your surgery.
Wow, today things just got worse and very confusing. I got the Aquablation on 2/12/24. Got a letter from a company WPS who works for Medicare doing reviews WPS is Wisconsin Physician Service who contracted by Medicare to review appeals.
It seems Medicare denied the aquablation surgery claim, then KUMC appealed, WPS processes the appeals. WPC denied the appeal by KUMC. I didn't know any of this was going on! They do mention in the denial that a resident under direction of a teaching procedure code 0421T-GC. It says KUMC can appeal to a Qualified Independent Contractor within 180 days. It looks like a payment was made on 7/11/2025, but then KUMC was sent a letter saying it was an over payment and wanted they payment returned as the procedure was considered medically not necessary. They said the decision was made in accordance with the WPS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L38682. It Seems KUMC did not provide Prostate Symptom Score and urinary flow rate report to support the service. I know they did all these test as they had be peeing through a wire screen, filled my bladder up and seen how much I had left in me using a catheter to drain, plus a bunch of other test like scoping and ultrasound up the rear end. They did hours of testing, it was awful.
Just more of a mess that didn't work or do me any good! And then for them to tell me this last August we should do a revision. You would think they would know about this payment problem? I am really mad- I toned that down a bunch.
They did say in the letter from WPS "We have also determined that the provider is responsible for the cost of the service(s). Said that in 2 different places.
I hope it's true, I just can't deal with a lawsuit. Got way to many issues dealing with, didn't need this.
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1 Reaction@kocour
I also found this very helpful. I am only six days past my aquablation, and am beginning to log my experiences as well. Part of my motivation was having to get up 4-6 times nightly, with the urge to urinate but very little success. Along with being disruptive vis-a-vis sleep, I developed late-onset seizure disorder (i.e. epilepsy), and not sleeping well is a trigger for seizure activities, Consequently, I had this additional motivation to get the aquablation surgery. The procedure itself seems to have gone well (yes, it's only been six days), but the catheter was really awful to contend with. However, my medical team did a good job preparing me for the "routine and generally anticipated" side effects (my quotation marks) of both the surgery and the post-surgery recovery, so none of what I am currently experiencing is unexpected to me.
Finally, I am a very active, almost 70-year-old man, so your comments about taking it easy for the first few weeks were a very important reminder to me, since I'm already anxious to get back to my usual outdoor routine. Hearing what some of the other men in this group are going through is really sad/hard, and I wish all of them (and myself) the best as we proceed in the healing process.
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3 Reactions@aapisani5
I'll be 70 in 6 weeks. Getting old is, as you say, not for the faint of heart nor is it easy. Tough to stay positive sometimes, but there's no alternative.
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2 ReactionsThanks @rolfwi. I think we all are wondering, - where should I have it done and by whom? The doctors skill is important.
Where and who did you procedure?
@sorentj I had aquablation done in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Lomas was the surgeon. I received excellent treatment from the surgical team and the Urology Department. I traveled about 3.5 fours from my home and spent five days in Rochester. I arrived a day early and stayed over the weekend after the procedure in order to have the catheter removed on Monday. I had also traveled to Rochester in March for evaluation and then again in November for a follow up after the procedure. I am happy with the results. It was well worth the traveling and time to have the procedure preformed at a top notch medical center.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you so much @kocour. Yes that is what we are all searching for: a top notch doctor and hospital!
Any incontinence, or RE? How often do you have to get up at night now?