I don't recall the gauge of the catheter when I was discharged but 20 gauge, which I think is quite large, would make sense in order to maintain the level of dilation achieved in the operation.
Like you I suffered severe bladder spasms on returning home to the extent that my catheter was removed about 12 hours earlier than planned; I think 'horrendous' describes it very well!
All in all it sounds very hopeful that you have achieved a permanent resolution to the problem, as I seem to have done.
Best wishes, Nigel
10-12 days later my flow rate has fallen to 10-12ml / sec.
Although I am seemingly voiding well - urinating circa 400ml - I am concerned re the drop ( I am 68 years old & hence 10-12 sounds ok? ).
Should I be at all concerned.
To my knowledge, A Qmax flow rate of less than 10cc/sec is considered problematic and the urologist will likely prescribe drugs to alleviate the symptoms. The key symptom that seems to bother a lot of sufferers is the frequency of night times urination, caused by low Qmax, because sleep is interrupted.
After a successful HoLEP, the Qmax is typically 20-30cc/sec.
After blockage clearing 5 months ago, I too have a Qmax about 11-12cc/sec and a night time ruination 1-2 times. Before HoLEP, it was about 4 times.
So the key things to pay attention to are: the blockage not re-occur again that is Qmax stays greater than 10 cc/sec and the night time urination frequency is no more than 2 times per night. If this is the case, I would consider the surgery sucessceful.
Good lucks! And let us know how ur are doing.
No night time concerns.
Only 18 days in - but hopeful.
Thanks for your concern.
The causes of nocturia can include a wide variety of underlying conditions. It can be as simple as caffeine and alcohol intake, medications, sleep conditions, a urinary tract infection or complications related to diabetes. In some cases, it can be indicative of a more serious condition such as congestive heart failure, kidney failure, or a bladder, urethra or a prostate tumor, among other possibilities.
One last concern - hoping someone once again can offer advice. I continue to experience ‘leakage’ some 3 or 4 times a week which at best is bloody frustrating. I am continuing with pelvic floor exercises ( 3 tines daily as a minimum inc sitting, lying & standing - as advised by my surgeon ) but these do not seem to be having the desired effect. My holep procedure was carried out in May, stricture dilated in August. I have probably only been carrying out my pelvic floors for 6 to 8 weeks.
Am I just too impatient?
Is there anything else I could/should be doing?
Any advice / experience very gratefully accepted.
One last concern - hoping someone once again can offer advice. I continue to experience ‘leakage’ some 3 or 4 times a week which at best is bloody frustrating. I am continuing with pelvic floor exercises ( 3 tines daily as a minimum inc sitting, lying & standing - as advised by my surgeon ) but these do not seem to be having the desired effect. My holep procedure was carried out in May, stricture dilated in August. I have probably only been carrying out my pelvic floors for 6 to 8 weeks.
Am I just too impatient?
Is there anything else I could/should be doing?
Any advice / experience very gratefully accepted.
Best wishes, Nigel.
To my knowledge, as long as the hospital or surgeon accepts Medicare, medicare Part A covers hospital surgeries and the cost of HoLEP is $1364 in 2019 because Part A annual deductible is $1364. However, if the patient has enrolled in a supplemental insurance or called medigap policy, the cost of hoLEP is the deductible of the specific Medigap plan. For example, for Medigap Plan G, the annual deductible is $185 for 2019, thus the cost of HoLEP is $185. See info given below.
“ Medicare Part A typically doesn’t cover the full amount of your hospital bill, so you will probably be responsible for a share in the cost. You will also have to pay a deductible before Medicare benefits begin. Medicare will then pay 100% of your costs for up to 60 days in a hospital or up to 20 days in a skilled nursing facility. After that, you pay a flat amount up to the maximum number of covered days. Your Medicare Part A benefits cover some of the costs for a total of 90 days in a hospital and 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare also covers up to 60 “lifetime reserve days.” These are days you stay in a hospital longer than 90 days in a row. You get a lifetime total of 60 reserve days.”
“ Medicare Part A benefits include inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health services, and hospice. For a hospital stay, you usually have to pay the Part A hospital inpatient deductible, which is $1364 in 2019 for each benefit period.”