Just wanted to give a quick health update.

  I had the Urolift prostate procedure done yesterday (April 8th) at
Baptist Med Center Day Surgery in Little Rock. The procedure went well,
but I have pain and burning on urination, plus urgency to void, and
incontinence...as well as stinging and burning after voiding. However,
all of that is to be expected. I haven't seen any blood in the urine,
but it's hard to tell, since one of the medicines turns the urine a
red-orange color.

  I am on antibiotics and pain medications for at least a week to 10
days, and the follow-up isn't scheduled until May 8th. So, I have to
take it easy until then. I have a portable urinal, which is a great
help. I take the pain med (Pyridium) 3 times a day, and the antibiotic
(Ciproflaxin) twice a day, until gone.

  It was NOT prostate cancer, but the enlarged prostate (which I've
dealt with for 15 years), was practically blocking the flow of urine
from the bladder, which is a medical emergency. When even taking a
diuretic doesn't help to get a decent urine stream, it's time to take
action.

  Basically, the procedure is done outpatient. The patient is sedated,
and a device is inserted through the penis and urethra to where the
prostate is. Then special items, like items you would put on window
blinds to hold them back, are put on each lobe of the prostate (a max of
3 per side) to hold the prostate back, so that there is no constriction
of the urethra from the urinary bladder, so urine can pass freely to the
penis, and out of the body. There is also no cutting, burning, etc. on
the prostate, plus no need for a catheter, blood transfusion,
no overnight hospital stay, and no erectile dysfunction issues.

  Relief can be seen in 2-4 weeks...although I saw one report that one
gentleman who underwent the procedure was "back to normal" 2 days after
the procedure (I assume that the pain and burning on urination had
stopped). If that's the case (I hope so), I have at least another day to
endure this. I don't mind having to urinate often...I just don't like
the discomfort when doing so.

  An enlarged prostate is part of males growing old...and if all goes
well, I should be "back to normal" very soon. The only thing is that the
metal things on the prostate may rule out any future MRI procedures.

  Those wanting more information on Urolift, should go to:

http://www.uroliftforbph.com

  After reading that, talk with your urologist, and see if this is right
for you.

Daryl

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