OK That makes sense. Well good luck. Hope all goes well.
Yes...Like to hear...55 and been putting off for about 3 years...ended up in ER one to many times! Thanks!!! Good Luck!
PLEASE CONSIDER NON RE CAUSING PROCEDURES:
On July 23th of this year I underwent HoLEP surgery at the Mayo clinic. Prior to this surgery I meet with several different Urologists to discuss options. During these discussions Retrograde Ejaculation (RE) was mentioned and I was told it was a “dry orgasm” in which the ejaculate would flow back into the bladder and not out of the penis as it normally would.
I asked how this would feel and was told it would feel about the same as it currently does. After my surgery I have discovered that RE is not anything like a normal orgasm. It is very unpleasant and it is very devastating to my emotional and mental outlook on my future life and sexual experiences. It is also permanent and cannot ever be reversed. I feel I have made a terrible decision and that my sexual pleasure for the rest of my life has been ruined. I do not know if I will ever adjust and comes to terms with this tragic event.
I realize that every patient responds and will adjust differently. However there are hundreds of comments in health forums all over the internet from men who feel as I do. Some want to take their life and others have actually killed their doctor. I only mentioned this to make a point about how devastating this “side effect” can be to some men. I feel the RE condition is downplayed way too much in discussions with the doctors.
Had I received more information regarding the possible feeling, adjustment to and outcome of this condition I would have chosen a different treatment option and not be totally devastated by my current condition?
It has been a long time since I checked into this forum but thought I would respond to some of the questions and comments above. Amy Krambeck performed a HoLEP procedure in Sept, 2012. She removed about 130 gr of a 150 gr prostate. Biopsy was negative - Yeah! For approximately two months I experienced mild discomfort for an instant when both starting and stopping flow but I did pee like the proverbial race horse. Also, during this two month period, I peed frequently with a flow duration of less than 10 seconds, typically about six seconds. Every once in a while I saw a little blood, especially the first few weeks, but nothing consequential. Within a few days, exactly two months after the procedure, these symptoms, none of which really effected my quality of life, spontaneously cleared up. Now, almost exactly one year later, I still pee with very satisfying flow and can even sit through a two plus hour movie or take a road trip without having to stop at every rest area. As predicted, I experience retrograde ejaculation. Sure, I wish I could still make a manly mess but in the big scheme of things it does not much matter. Orgasms are intense and sometimes even seem more intense than before but the feeling is somewhat different. Guys, stop complaining about this aspect of the procedure and man up to the fact that there is nothing anyone can do about it. The technology just does not exist to fix a large prostate and return us to factory new condition. Orgasms are still wonderful albeit inconsequentially different. I initially had some minimal leakage but nothing a small minimal pad could not handle. I gave up using pads after less than a month. The only problem with leakage I continue to have is when I fart. Sometimes I get a little squirt with the fart but again nothing that is going to effect your day. I had a choice, to avoid retention because of the size of my prostrate, between an open prostatectomey and HoLEP. One year later I clearly and truly know I made the correct decision. I cannot comment on this procedure without stating what an incredible institution the Mayo is. Their center shield represents "patient care" and their actions truly prove they do indeed put the partient first. This was clearly demonstarted by virtually everyone we encountered, including the non-medical staff. The Mayo has the magic of not only outstanding medical care but interacting with the patient in a respectful manner that no other institution seems to have mastered (including the Cleveland Clinic - as good as it is). I do not believe one can get better medical care anywhere else.
"Yes, but the Mayo requires 2 trips. Dr. Lingeman only requires 1."
The fact that Dr. Lingeman only requires one visit and the Mayo requires two is exactly why I decided to got ot the Mayo. In the spring of 2012, when I did my research, I called Dr. Lingeman's office. They told me I would meet for the first time with him in the morning and have the procedure in the afternoon. I contrasted this against the three day pre-visit to Rochester and definetly liked the much more conservative approach the Mayo took. Although I never heard anything negative about Dr, Lingeman, and everything I read is positive, he does have strong financial ties with the company that manufactures the equipment. Between these two factors, I decided convenience and a small saving in travel expenses was not worth taking any chances and I selected the Mayo.
Barry,
I am glad that it all turned out so well for you. I too was impressed by the Mayo and the treatment I received there. However, I was told the RE would feel the same but nothing would come out. If that were true I would be fine with it. What is missing for me is that endorphin rush and relaxed afterglow feeling after the Big-O that used to relax me so much and keep me calm for days. Now all I get is 1/2 of an orgasm. I would not care if the first half was felt lousy if I still got the relaxed calm after. As a result I am restless and "stuck in high gear". That to me is no small difference.
Had I known there was this chance I would have made a different decision. Maybe what is so important to me is not important to other men. Or maybe I was the only guy who felt like that. I don't know. Even my surgeon does not know why it is like this. So it must not be normal. I would be interested to know if other men still get that super calm relaxed feeling after their RE. And did they get it right away or did it take a while to return. I am still hoping it will return but it is doubtful.
I am now 3 and 1/2 weeks from my HoLEP surgery at with Dr. Richard David at Urology Specialists of Southern California. The first day after my HOLEP procedure was uncomfortably miserable - no pain, just the major discomfort of having a what appeared to be a larger than normal catheter and also an IV (I HATE IVs). I was discharged the following day and have experienced no pain whatsoever since leaving the hospital. My primary concern has been blood in urine and that has trickled down to almost nothing. My urine flow now is incredible and I am seeing no problems so far - from current progress, I expect to be fully recovered in just the next couple of weeks or so.
I had a very large prostate (around 200 grams) and Dr. David was able to extract all the material in a single operation. Apparently Dr. David has been doing HOLEP since its inception (15 years and literally hundreds of procedures). He has a very good office demeanor (seems to be a really good guy) and truly appears to be quite knowledgeable and skilled as regards HOLEP. I am not quite at the end game of recovery but am more than satisfied so far - I will post again in a few weeks when there are no longer any residual symptoms.
Anyone who would like to contact me to talk about my patient experiences with Dr. David can do so.
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David,
Thanks for your post. I would like to contact you. What was your condition prior to the surgery? Were you on rapaflo or avadart meds? Did you already have RE prior?
jwb43
Wow-there is some news--a Urologist in CA that performs Holep surgery. I could not find anyone in CA so went to Dr. Lingeman in Indiana (for which I am happy).
Who trained Dr. David?
After the blood in the urine subsides, at some later point I peed little 'scabs' from the healing prostate.
Best of luck.
I am going to search re: Dr. David
WILL INSURANCE COVER 20,000. HOW MUCH WOULD CO PAY BE? HAVE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD.
BCBS should cover 100% after your deductable is paid. Call them and ask.
Guest, Appreciate your and other helpful comments on this thread. Dr. Lingeman has apparently changed procedures. I telephoned his secretary this week she advised that they now require two visits. I asked whether I could use a workup from another Dr./hospital [specifically, Mayo Clinic] and she said no. First opportunity for an initial appointment in Indiana is December, with HoLEP probably scheduled in March or April. I made this call to Indiana as I was trying to expedite. I have had an initial consultation and recomendation at Mayo in Rochester, but cannot schedule the HoLEP there until January, and thought that perhaps I could get in earlier in Indiana. The procedure must be popular, or just a few Dr. doing it. Thanks for your discussions.
I just have to advise that the RE is not worth it. Ask if there is a way they can give the relief without RE. I would give anything to have not done it.
Interesting--Dr. Lingemand does require (or did require) two visits, but the 1st visit was the day before the surgery and was a consultation. The 2d visit--the next morning- was the surgery.
I would call them and clarify the "two visits".
His office also allowed me to fax in the pre-surgical blood work, ekg, etc. Perhaps things have changed with his office.
From the time I called and set up the surgery, it was about one month--may be they are really busy. I was surprised at how quick things went (so was the local urologist)
I am grateful to Dr. Lingeman and am back to 'normal'-- with RE-- but, 'hard' as a rock.
do you know names of doctors for the HoLep procedure in kentucky or Tennessee or indiana that are very experienced in that procedure