Hi jwb:
I'm not sure what RE means so can't help there. When is your surgery? Where? I'll be going on 2 week vacation at end of next week but wanted to wish you well. Honestly, HOLEP is best thing to happen to me in MANY years. And this is a great support group so keep in touch!
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your response. RE is Retrograde Ejaculation or Dry Orgasm. My doctor says it is 100% sure to happen. It worries me that sex it will not be enjoyable after the HoLEP. Do you have this condition? If so what is it like?
jwb: Thanks. i have to be honest. When I started on Avodart and Flomax about 6 years ago it affected erections and ejaculation but you can't use Cialis with them. So the sex drive dropped a lot. Given the option of getting up 5-6 times a night and having real urges or giving up sex was an easy one for my wife and I. She had gone through menopause and her interest was lackking too. Since the operation I can now have erections but have not had ejaculations yet. And, in my case, I'm so happy to not have the other issues it doesn't bother me at age 68.
Not sure that helps you but it's my situation. So when and where is your surgery?
Steve
Hello Just Me:
Agreed: Great Care in Indianapolis. Dr. Lingeman has done about 2000 of these HoLeps and he told me he could do one in his sleep. I laughed and said that I believed him but I respectfully requested that he stay awake during mine.
I am glad you are doing well.
I was given pads at the hospital upon discharge, but never ever used one-I left them in the hotel room trash can.
I am curious to see how Holep Graduates are doing a tear or two post surgery.
Bill in CA
HI Just Me:
I agree with you: Great Care in Indianapolis--Dr. Lingeman is wonderful. He told me he has done 2000 HoLeps and he could do them in his sleep. I respectfully asked that he stay awake during mine.
I never used a pad ever-the hospital gave me a bunch and I left them in the hotel room trash.
It sounds like your strenuous job may add a bit of stress to the situation--but I am glad you are doing well.
To all the inquiries regard RE, it is the same, only dry (with the exception of a few drops occasionally).
I am having difficulty posting on this site.
Thanks so much Steve. My surgery is scheduled for July 23rd at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix with Dr Humpherys. I know he is one of the best so the only thing that is scaring the heck out of me is the RE. My wife and I are still enjoying a nice sex life and I would hate to mess that up. My symptoms are not really bad like some others I have read about. So the contrast may not be as drastic and rewarding for me. But I know it is getting worse and I will have to get it done sooned or later. I am looking to get info from others who have the RE in hopes that I will discover that I will get used to it and that orgasm will still be good. There are a lot of interesting new treatments on the horizion but I doubt I can hold off that long.
Hi Steve,
Had my 5 weeks HoLEP operation followup appt. with DR. Humphreys yesterday and the results were great. Before the operation I was retaining about 600 ML of urine in my bladder after I peed. After the test yesterday, where you pee in a special toilet and then the nurse does a sonagram of your bladder, I had ONLY 7 ML of urine in my bladder!!!!!!!!! And, no pain or blood in urine for several weeks.
Unbelievable! For anyone having BPH and retaining too much urine in your bladder, a HoLEP operation is the best way to go. I am still having occasional slight leakage and occasional fast "urges" but my DR. says he wants to let healing process go for another 2 months and then, if still issues, will go with a drug to help calm my bladder. I am also going to a physical therapist next week to make sure I am using the right pelvic floor muscles for the Kegel exercises. These exercises may be all I need to calm my bladder and eliminate my urges. And, I used to get up 2 or 3 times a night...sometimes more...and now getting up only once per night! I am so glad I decided to have this operation.
Hey Ron. That's great. Honestly your report is same as mine and though you are going to a physical therapist I used a Nurse Practioner in Dr. Da's Dept to have biofeedback show me how to do the kegels correctly. I do urge anyone having the surgery to do one of these things (therapsit or nurse practioner) at least ONCE when starting kegels. The drug your doctor mentions could be the one I mentioned earlier. It's pricy as no generic but Drs have samples. I used for a few weeks.
It's a personal decision but I feel any downside from dry emissions is MORE than offset by, not only a good night's sleep, but no rushing to find a bathroom. One week from today I'm going on a two week cruise to celebrate - the BPH is gone! The IBS is under control and I've got syringes for possible blood clot return. 2013 is so much better than 2012.
Steve
Hi jwb43
I am having a bad time trying to respond to your request about RE. I hope this gets to you and encourages you.
Like you I had some concern as to the quality of sex after holep. I was 58 years old and not ready to cash in the chips! My erections were not the best and when I did ejaculate there was absolutely no force behind it. In reality I was experiencing RE before holep. Flomax and a very large prostate for my age was the reason.
When my surgery date arrived , I felt like it was Christmas morning even though I had concerns about sex after holep.
After the catheter was out I had to urinate for the first time post surgery. I could not believe how much better the plumbing worked!
I had great care from the Drs and nurses . I contined to have great care from my wife during my recovery period.
I refrained from sex longer than necessary ,as I was concerned about causing problems with the surgery site as my prostate was very large for my age.
I will confess to you I was quite concerned about RE , ED , and Orgasm Quality . My first orgasm ,post holep was not from intercourse , as I wanted to see if there was blood in the ejaculate , or if there was any ejaculate at all. So I took matters into my own hand so to speak ! I was pleasantly surprised to find my erections had improved! There was very little ejaculate expelled ,but the orgasm was not painful and still very pleasurable much to my relief. I did not notice a big difference in sensation between RE and a {normal} orgasm.
I did go through a period of time where it did take longer to climax ,so my wife would take matters into her hands to help me along. That period of time was about 6-8 weeks. I now have good intense orgasms with better erections with a more normal foreplay time frame. You may find it helpful to use a lubrication as , there will probably be less , possibly no natural secretions for natural lubrication.
I am blessed with a very good wife, who is more than caring and understanding. I ve been married to her since 1976 . She has truly been a wonderful helpmate. This kind af outlook will help you through this . Concentrate on loving each other and dont worry how much semen you deliver.
On the lighter side, Breasts were made to deliver nurishment to our children, but they STILL are nice to have around when they dont produce any milk !
I will keep you in mind on your surgery date .
Keep us posted
just me
Hi Just Me,
I don't know why you were having a bad time responding about the RE because you did a great job. I know sometimes men have trouble discussing it. I am very greatful for your reply. It does make me feel better. I have head a lot of horror stories so it helps to hear some good ones. I just wish some others would also chime in with their experences,. Your story sounds a lot like mine. Age wise and having a loving wife to support. How lond did you wait to "take matters into your own hands" after the HoLEP?
Thanks a lot Jwb43
I waited about 5 weeks .
After the great results I had I am not embarrassed to talk about this problem at all. I have watched many of my co workers struggle to relieve themselves in the restroom . Ive shared with them my results. Ive even talked to several of the women where I work . They are concerned about their husbands . Once you experience the freedom I experienced you want to share it with others.
I know you will probably see this post after your surgery, I will be thinking of you and hope for the best for you.
Let me know how you are doing. You are a fortunate man to have a good wife to help you through this. Give her my regards.
Just me again
Thanks Just me. I am going in tomorrow 8:30AM I am very scared tonight. I just hope I don't chicken out. I know a full recovery takes months. I don't like medications because i usually have lots of unpleasent side effects. And I am so used to exercising every day that it will really be tough to do nothing. Exercise is such a stress relever for me. Also sex really calms me down so I can't take advantage on that for a few weeks. I guess I am just a wimp. Thanks for all your post to answer my questions. It really helps to hear from those who have been through it. How long after your HoLEP would you have felt comfortable going to a movie? With having to be close to a bathroom due to urges?
I too am thinking of you this morning JWB . By the time you readf this it will be over. Going to the movies ? Assuming Cathether comes out in 2 days or less - it should - mine was in because it was Christmas - you should be at movies in a week or so. Just get the shields we mentioned before - JUST in case - and, yes, they work.
Schedule a biofeedback to learn to do Kegels correctly and expect some urges for about 3- to maybe 4 months. But it shouldn't affect your life that much. (Heck, if you had the flu you'd be inconvemienced for a few weeks, right?) But, after the catheter is out be prepared for night that you WON'T need to get up to urinate! What joy!
And, yes, you are so lucky to have a caring wife.
I'm heading off for a 2 week European cruise (to celebrate my recovery) on Friday so I'll probably have to wait for your report till I come back but maybe you'll be back on line sooner! Will await your report and welcome to our HoLep support group! ;-)
Steve
Thanks all who send the words of encrougement. I am leaving for the Mayo now. Keep second guessing myself because my symptoms are really not that bad yet. I go about once every 90 min during the day and get up 2-3 times a night. Stream is weak but not much dribbling. I am emptying my bladded at least 99%. So I wonder why I am doing this now. Steve, have a great vacation. You have earned it with all you have been through. Guess I will see you on the other side. The recovery side I am not looking forward to. Thanks guys.
James
jwb43
Hope all is doing well for you.
Recovery from holep is not that bad and not that long. I went back to work in 2 weeks ,and I do heavy lifting and on my feet for 10 hrs a day. Im sure you can get back to your routine a lot sooner than you think.
I am sure you are making the right decision about going ahead with the surgery. This condition only gets worse. I had to cath myself at least 2 times a day . One night I had to get up 4 times to go to the bathroom and I could not go at all. so every 2 hrs I had to cath myself . If the Dr suggested this surgery to you Im sure he had a good reason. In all honesty I wish I would have done the surgery sooner , instead taking the flomax .
Bill from California flew from Indianapolis to california 2 days after his surgery with no problems . A movie should be no problem. As Steve said . Get the Male guards at the drug store . they are very absorbant . They work very well. Bill didnt even need them at all.
Surgery is a serious matter , and being concerned about it does not make you a wimp.
Looking forward to hearing from you ,
Just me