It's prostate surgery time

[terry_tr6]

I just passed 69th B-day and medication isn't really doing it so Dr. is saying lets do TURP/TUIP surgery. I'm not sure which he is recommending, that will be discussed at my visit when i decide to start things going(hopefully ).
I'm looking for guys who have had either one and comments their recovery and results.

Fortunately it is just BPH and not cancer.... so go ahead you young guys and post jokes. Your day is coming!

 

[JDBoardman]

I had Stage 2B prostate cancer originally detected because my PSA had jumped from ~ 1 to 17. In for the biopsy, and a more dehumanizing procedure I can't imagine. They did surgery using a "Rembrant" robot, and I came out with what is called a superpubic catheter. After a week, they pulled that out (yet another fun experience) and I found that I could pee through my belly button. Yet another surprise! After my second post-operative visit, the Dr. told me that they didn't "think" there was any spread, but... Then began the Lupron hormone treatment and focused beam radiation. The radiation burned the skin about like a sunburn (and that is one part of the body that never is exposed to the sun, and the Lupron made me feel like I was going through menopause - hot flashes, bouts of depression and anger (fortunately my wife was very understanding even though she felt sympathy was only a word in the dictionary between **** and syphilis). It was a rugged 18 months, but I came out the other side OK, and my Dr. said that I should live well past 80 unless a bus runs over me.

If I had it to do over, would I again choose surgery? I really don't know since there have been several new treatments developed in the last 10 years

 

[dasnake]

For me.......

I'm one month into flo-max, and saw palmetto back-up, I'm noticing a bit of a difference but I'm also clearing my colon better now that I'm mobile again from ankle work, when are you slated for surgery? Have you done any medicine route? I'm 74 and I'm hoping this will help open the valve a little more. Good luck.

 

[snowman]

I just passed 69th B-day and medication isn't really doing it so Dr. is saying lets do TURP/TUIP surgery. I'm not sure which he is recommending, that will be discussed at my visit when i decide to start things going(hopefully ).
I'm looking for guys who have had either one and comments their recovery and results.

Fortunately it is just BPH and not cancer.... so go ahead you young guys and post jokes. Your day is coming!

Sir,

I just had two surgeries in the last month to correct my BPH problem. Like you, I'm blessed to have had no cancer. The urologists who have treated me do two kinds of surgery: TURP and Green Light Laser. I opted for the latter; it's less invasive, there is less bleeding, and recovery is quicker. If you're interested, I'll just let you look it up and read about it; there are a number of websites describing the procedure(just like everything else we want to know).

My second surgery was also a laser procedure, to eliminate stones in my bladder. The two were performed by two different doctors, and both said that the surgeries were successful. I have no further need of a catheter, no incontinence, and no loss of the other function commonly affected by such procedures.

I'm not completely healed just yet, and still have some issue with frequency and urgency. A follow up appointment is scheduled in a few weeks.

Best wishes with your treatment,
Andy


P.S. I forgot to mention that my condition had come to the point of complete blockage, and I needed emergency treatment(catheter for some months). I'm just grateful that I'm opened up again.

 

[riverrat38]

I guess that means you had a male Urologist. Mine was Asian female, which is good, since they have the smallest fingers.
When I first found out I had cancer, i was hoping they could just keep an eye on it, as they sometimes do. Called watchful waiting. I guess I should say "keep a finger on it". I had 44 radiation treatments after they installed 3 small Gold pellets in my prostate for imaging purposes. That doubled my net worth! That was almost 5 years ago, and I am due to "graduate" next month. PSA tests are very low, which is very good.
Several years earlier, I had the TURP with the Green light laser. The TU part means trans urethral. Amazing how much medical equipment they can insert all the way to the bladder. I think they had an ultrasound probe, maybe trans rectal (TR). Dr. removed about half of my prostate mass. Took care of problem. The process damages some of the "valves" in the urogenital system. Discuss with Urologist, as that can make some "interesting" changes in system function!


73,
Rick

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have had neither procedure but that doesn't preclude me from praying for the best outcome for you.

 

[dasnake]

I laffed and laffed......

My GP is a young asian lady, she did the sweep and was alarmed at the size of my prostate, after I had a holy **** moment she sent me to a urologist who was a young feller, he does the sweep and he's alarmed at her referral, he says its a little large but nothing to worry about, he then says with my doc be small (5'2") her fingers are a lot smaller so her diagnosis with small digits made my supposed problem not a problem. We both laffed and laffed and laffed.

 

[Ray]

I had cancer and in april 2019 took everything out .It was inside, encapsulated as they say, no limph nodes invasion whatsoever. I was lucky, it was in the right time otherwise I was a canditate for radio and or chemo.
Doc said no need to any aditional therapy. Since then I did 5 PSA tests 0,03 to 0,09.
So after more than 2 years, I think the beast is gone for good.

Best of luck, regards, Ray

 

[Greyman50]

Had enlarged prostate for many years, my urologist prescribed flowmax which worked a few years. Then he recommended the eurolift procedure. Talked to my primary care MD , he advised not to have eurolift but the urologist insisted so had procedure. Eurolift is procedure where small rods are placed inside prostate held by mini wire ties( tie wraps) to hold ureathrea open . BIG Mistake! Symptoms did not go away and had to take flowmax after eurolift. Got tired of problems so went to another urologist in JAX. Second visit he said we will scopr your prostate and bladder. My Grandfather died from bladder cancer back in 60's so I was concerned. Well as we all watched the scope of my prostate and bladder saw that eurolift was not all in the prostate but half in bladder! New Urologist removed all of it and did green light laser. Only minor issues now, taking finasteride and no problems at all. Highly recommend getting a Second opinion before any procedure.

 

[PeterJ]

Had enlarged prostate for many years, my urologist prescribed flowmax which worked a few years. Then he recommended the eurolift procedure. Talked to my primary care MD , he advised not to have eurolift but the urologist insisted so had procedure. Eurolift is procedure where small rods are placed inside prostate held by mini wire ties( tie wraps) to hold ureathrea open . BIG Mistake! Symptoms did not go away and had to take flowmax after eurolift. Got tired of problems so went to another urologist in JAX. Second visit he said we will scopr your prostate and bladder. My Grandfather died from bladder cancer back in 60's so I was concerned. Well as we all watched the scope of my prostate and bladder saw that eurolift was not all in the prostate but half in bladder! New Urologist removed all of it and did green light laser. Only minor issues now, taking finasteride and no problems at all. Highly recommend getting a Second opinion before any procedure.

Would the Eurolift procedure have worked if it was done properly ? I am scheduled to have the Eurolift done this Friday and have heard positive things about it. Your experience makes me think of the mechanic who screws up a brake job on your car,,, we all can make mistakes.

 

[jeffrefrig]

What Rusty said. Good luck to you. I've been hospitalized twice with kidney stones, and I'm amazed at what will fit where.
I just wish they had this technology when my dad had prostate cancer. They killed his cancer, but, 'nough said...

 

[terry_tr6]

I guess that means you had a male Urologist. Mine was Asian female, which is good, since they have the smallest fingers.
When I first found out I had cancer, i was hoping they could just keep an eye on it, as they sometimes do. Called watchful waiting. I guess I should say "keep a finger on it". I had 44 radiation treatments after they installed 3 small Gold pellets in my prostate for imaging purposes. That doubled my net worth! That was almost 5 years ago, and I am due to "graduate" next month. PSA tests are very low, which is very good.
Several years earlier, I had the TURP with the Green light laser. The TU part means trans urethral. Amazing how much medical equipment they can insert all the way to the bladder. I think they had an ultrasound probe, maybe trans rectal (TR). Dr. removed about half of my prostate mass. Took care of problem. The process damages some of the "valves" in the urogenital system. Discuss with Urologist, as that can make some "interesting" changes in system function!


73,
Rick

yep, i have a male urologist, but he's on the short, slightly built side. but his nurse that prepped me with the lube and lidocaine squirt and anti bacterial wipe , very professional late 20's fairly attractive black lady, gave me some perverse enjoyment tormenting the wife when she required her usual post visit report...

 

[crazyphil]

It is no joke! I'm 86 now, but back in 2008 when I was 73 my PSA had
gone up to 11. It is a concern when it is over 3. So I got a needle biopsy
and the verdict was cancer.
I went to U of Washington and had brachytherapy. That is a long word,
but it just means that they inserted radiated "seeds" into my prostate.
So I was nuked.
For the past several years my PSA has been undetectible.
So, if that is an option for you, I can highly recommend it.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have had three TURPS in the last 25 years. Prostrate keeps growing, but so far, never cancerous. Last one was out patient surgery 8 years ago and I was in and out and home in 5 hours. I still have a fantastic stream and no pain and it still works with My girlfriend. Like Dundee says " No worries Mate!"

 

[riverrat38]

It is no joke! I'm 86 now, but back in 2008 when I was 73 my PSA had
gone up to 11. It is a concern when it is over 3. So I got a needle biopsy
and the verdict was cancer.
I went to U of Washington and had brachytherapy. That is a long word,
but it just means that they inserted radiated "seeds" into my prostate.
So I was nuked.
For the past several years my PSA has been undetectible.
So, if that is an option for you, I can highly recommend it.

I was told that I was not a candidate for brachytherapy, because I had an enlarged prostate (not a brag), and a TURP.
I was disappointed. Would have been one procedure, rather than 44 radiation treatments. Would have involved my Oncologist and my Urologist, both attractive ladies. The Oncologist watches the imaging, and tells the Urologist where to insert the little radioactive sparklers. I don't think I want to see the video!

73,
Rick

 

[terry_tr6]

I was told that I was not a candidate for brachytherapy, because I had an enlarged prostate (not a brag), and a TURP.
I was disappointed. Would have been one procedure, rather than 44 radiation treatments. Would have involved my Oncologist and my Urologist, both attractive ladies. The Oncologist watches the imaging, and tells the Urologist where to insert the little radioactive sparklers. I don't think I want to see the video!

73,
Rick

last root canal while waiting for the novacaine to take effect the assistant offered to put on a video for me to watch of the root canal procedure. I shut that idea down RIGHT NOW.

 

[old bear]

I have had neither procedure but that doesn't preclude me from praying for the best outcome for you.

What Rusty said.. Along with a full and speedy recovery..

 

[kmyers]

We will be hoping and praying for the best for you here.

 

[rubiranch]

Hoping for the best for you. Cancer sucks.

A good friend of mine is a retired Homicide sergeant.

He told me that all three medical examiners told him that they had never done an autopsy on a male over 60 years old that didn't have some prostate cancer.

 

[pharman]

NO urolift...YES green light laser

Had enlarged prostate for many years, my urologist prescribed flowmax which worked a few years. Then he recommended the eurolift procedure. Talked to my primary care MD , he advised not to have eurolift but the urologist insisted so had procedure. Eurolift is procedure where small rods are placed inside prostate held by mini wire ties( tie wraps) to hold ureathrea open . BIG Mistake! Symptoms did not go away and had to take flowmax after eurolift. Got tired of problems so went to another urologist in JAX. Second visit he said we will scopr your prostate and bladder. My Grandfather died from bladder cancer back in 60's so I was concerned. Well as we all watched the scope of my prostate and bladder saw that eurolift was not all in the prostate but half in bladder! New Urologist removed all of it and did green light laser. Only minor issues now, taking finasteride and no problems at all. Highly recommend getting a Second opinion before any procedure.

I had the urolift...turned out the doctor that did it did NOT know what he was doing...a VERY unpleasant procedure...it did not work...got rid of Doctor Donald Duck and got new doctor that did the green light laser..it WORKS great...the 2nd doctor even removed 5 of the urolift rods when he was in there...could not find the 6th one...it's still in there somewhere...