I am glad everything worked out so well for you. I bet your relieved.
I had a large (150 CC) prostate but did not have the other co-issues you described. My bleeding stopped in about two weeks but I also was not well behaved with respect to the physical activity limits I was supposed to observe. I also had essentially no consequential pain except for immediately after waking up from the anesthesia. The only discomfort I experienced was a dull but very mild non-distracting internal ache every now and then the first week or so. In addition I too am essentially fully voiding with only between 20 to 40 ml of residual. Over the past two weeks my remaining minor issues associated with frequency and burning at the initiation and cessation of flow are clearly trending toward goodness. I did find Advil is very effective for the burning although I am taking little to none now.
I cannot emphasize how pleasant it is to pee like the proverbial race horse. My typical duration for a pee is clearly creeping up and I am now seeing every indication that it will return to normal.
Please keep posting on your recovery. I am sure everyone has a unique experience and I am even more sure the guys with the procedure ahead of them are hungry to hear.
I have heard others say good things about the inversion tables. It even makes sense that they should be effective.
As I am in the UK I would be interested to know the cost comparisons between PVP and HoLEP in the USA.
I have read with interest the comments concerning Holep and the Drs that are doing the procedure.
This procedure was performed on me in late October by Dr Lingeman at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Prior to surgery I had
experienced acute retention 70 times. {July 2 to October 22} I was Cathing myself twice a day and whenever I was in retention, a
procedure that gets old really fast!
Christmas came early for me when the day of my surgery arrived.
I was admitted to the hospital in the afternoon and was handled by a very courteous staff. I was made comfortable and prepped
for surgery . My family was allowed to visit until the time of the surgery. I was taken to the OR by the anesthesiologist and
transferred to the operating table. The nurses were very good at putting me at ease . The last thing I remember was ," We are
going to tip your head bac....... " Lights out!
I woke up in the recovery room with very little pain . I was transferred to my private room where I was reunited with my family.
The staff at Methodist Hospital was tremendous . They came when summoned , listened to any concerns , were very efficient ,and
were very compassionate. My wife and I came out of the Hospital very encouraged by being with these special people.
After 2 weeks off I returned to work which can be strenuous. There I did experience stress incontinence . There was a period
where I did experience pain during urinating. but it left abruptly at day 50.
Over all I have to say, Holep , Dr Lingeman and Dr Paonessa , have literally changed my life.
It is not a walk in the park , but it was much easier than I expected.
At the 3 month mark of my surgery I am doing great. I still wear a pad ,as I still have some dribbling . I have no problems
sleeping !
Dr Lingeman has trained several Highly qualified Physicians in this procedure. I was very impressed with him and Dr Jessica
Paonessa, the Dr that is in fellowship with him at this time.
As a patient of Dr Lingeman , I would have to say he is an excellent Dr, and teacher. I was very impressed with his bedside
manner, he has a concern for you as a person.
Both Dr Lingeman and Paonessa have an ability to put on at ease just prior to a stressful moment in life.
If you are considering Holep, Dr Lingeman is an excellent choice!
just me
I had the holep at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. It was done 35 days ago by Dr. Nicole Miller who trained under Dr. Lingeman. Everything went very well, but I have two questions: why am I still getting up twice each night and why is constipation now a rather large problem when it never was before? Does anyone else have issues like these? Any comments?
Lafcadio
I have surgery scheduled with Dr. Lingemand on the 30th of Jan. How long did you stay in the hospital and when was the catheter taken out? My prostate is 78 grams--we plan on staying an extra 2 days before flying back to CA. Any issues with bleeding and travel restrictions? I am also in retention and am concerned about bladder function--any issues for you? Thanks Bill
Hi Bill,
Just to fill you in . I was in retention from July 2 until my surgery Oct 22. My prostate was 110 grams ,and I am 58 yrs old.
My Psa numbers were as high as 17. I was self cathing every day at least twice a day per Drs orders, and whenever I was in
retention.
My surgery started at 5 pm . It took 2 1/2 hrs, I was in my private room about 9 PM. I had no pain . I had a meal at 10 Pm.
The catheter was removed at 4 Am . There was no pain with its removal. I was informed I could be dismissed after I had urinated
twice. You will be instructed to have a nurse assist you to the bathroom. There was a very good blood and urine trail from the bed
to the toilet. It was impossible to hold my urine. My gown was soiled as bad as the floor. My nurse held me up with one hand and
changed my gown with the other. I cant say enough about the great job the nurses did. They were also just very good people.
The hospital supplied absorbent pads which are kept in place by a mesh brief. They are easily changed without removing any
clothing ,which is good when one uses the toilet in an airplane. I would make sure you have extra pads on your flight, but dont
worry , I only used one on my 2 1/2 hr ride in a car.
I began to gain a little control after a couple days ,but I am at 3 months and still have to wear a pad which I change once or twice
a day .
As far as travel, I was instructed to wear a pillow between my abdomen and the seat belt as a cushion . I did not drive for a week.
Bleeding was not an issue for me as I was prepared to accept it as part of the surgery. The first day my urine was the color of
cranberry juice. You should do very well if you are waiting a couple days before traveling .
As far a bladder function, I have noticed in my correspondence with others , it varies from person to person. I had been very
consistent at having the urge to urinate at 110 mls. which I continued for several weeks following the surgery. About 2 weeks ago
I began sleeping through the night and urinating 340 mls. in the morning. I now have the urge to urinate at 190 mls. during the day.
Dr Paonessa encouraged me to look at my progress week to week not day to day as there are times you will regress to your old
ways.
January 30 is the anniversary date I had to go to the ER to have a catheter inserted as I had completely shut down. My second
trip to the ER was July 2. I was glad when my Dr said its time to get this fixed.
Al the best to you Bill . Keep us posted .
Just me
Hi Bill ,
Hoping the best for you today as you have your surgery. You are in GOOD hands>
just me
As for the surgery: I am SOOOOOO glad my urologist recommended it! I still wear the little "panty liner" pads, using one per day, and still am finding trace amounts of blood, but nothing more than expected. My flow is fantastic, and no longer to I fear the 110 mL retention I used to have. I still have a very minor sensation at the beginning and end of flow. I don't know what causes that, but it is reducing over time.
I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Lingeman in a couple of weeks, and fully expect to be virtually symptom-free by that time.
Ken - thank you for your post. Please keep us updated on your progress. I believe I am fast approaching the need for some type of surgical intervention and I want to get other folks' experiences.
Hello Guest,
If you are fast approaching the need for surgery , do yourself a favor and look into finding a very experienced surgeon. Dont settle
for just anyone. You may have to travel some distance to get to a good surgeon as there are not many who do this surgery.
The holep surgery is state of the art surgery, but it is not easy for the surgeon to learn. Be sure you find a good experienced
surgeon . It is far superior to the other methods of treatment .
just me
Hi Ken:
Has surgery with Dr. Lingeman on Wed.-discharged Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon there was no blood in the urine and I have not had any since. No leakage, no sense of urgency. Dr. Lingeman is personable, warm and very competent (he told me he has done 2000 HoLeps)--I am grateful.I asked him to perform the surgery himself and he said that he would.
The hospital staff knows what to expect and they are on top of things. I have only praise and am so glad we went to Dr. Lingeman (the local Urologists do not have a clue).
Glad to hear all went well.
Dr Lingeman and staff, and Methodist staff are great people.
just me
Hello Just me--I am 1 week after discharge from Dr. Lingeman. There has been no bloody urine and no incontinence. They told me it takes about 3 months for the prostate to really heal.
I had no blood and no issues later in the morning of discharge.
Dr. Linigemand and staff and Methodist know the procedure well. I am grateful. I do not mean to disparage the local urologists, but all they 'know' is TURP and Open--that is their focus and recommendation. Hoelp is a cleaner and more precise procedure.
The holep Has been wonderful--no pain; almost no blood ; no issues. I am still 'taking it easy' per Dr. Lingeman's orders --for about 3 weeks.
Guest,
Im glad to hear you are doing so well.
I consider my self fortunate to have a urologist who knows Dr Lingeman and recommended him to me. After having the surgery , It makes me wish I would have had it sooner. I am very grateful to Dr Lingeman for his efforts to learn and teach this procedure . It has, and will continue to help improve so many lives.
How did you become aware of Holep if you did not hear of it from your urologist? You must have done your homework!
Keep me posted on your progress . I will be willing to share any of my experience or insights with you .
Just me
Hello Just Me:
I spent hours and hours on line researching the issue--and found this site especially helpful. I have no idea who started/ manages this site, but thank you. It is a great source of info.
I read everything I could find--all postings, Mayo Clinic info, TURP web sites, and I read the studies--like the one Dr. Lingeman was involved in at McGill University (we discussed this study w. the good doctor).
All of it has been worth while.
Thanks for your support.
Bill