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Laser Vaporization Of Prostate Surgery- A Catheter Nightmare By: Dr. Clarence A Grasty
This is the sixth article in a series of articles that is concerned with the prostate gland and with laser vaporization of prostate, because of an enlarged prostate [BPH]. The first five articles focused on seeing the urologist, getting a diagnosis, selecting the best treatment for BPH, laser vaporization of prostate surgery and with the three month recovery, which included having the first catheter removed. One would think that after prostate surgery everything should return to normal and that ones internal plumbing would be good as new. This article will completely paint a far different picture with respect to prostate surgery. Moreover, this article contains real facts with an "Operative Report" written by the surgeon.
Recovery from my first laser vaporization of prostate surgery was going well and the bleeding had all but stopped. There was a stinging sensation when urinating, but the medication took the edge off of the pain. The flow rate of the urine had increased and for once in a long time I felt as though I could empty my bladder completely. That feeling/relief that one feels is the same as being young again, able to urinate over a wall. Drinking several glasses of water a day and not consuming any alcohol were at this time keys to my recovery and a return to golf.
However, after three months, the flow of urine began to decrease and it was more difficult to go. This continued for about two weeks into April 2006. My first operation was on December 29, 2005. I began to feel very depressed about my situation and my sex life took a turn for the worse. Finally, I returned to my urologist for an examination. At that time the nurse tried to insert the cystoscope into my urethra [penis head] and she could not get it to go in. The urologist tried but failed to get the cystoscope to work for me. His diagnosis was "obstruction uropathy". In other words, tissue had begun to fuse or grow together in the urethra, which was causing a reduced urine flow. A second laser vaporization of prostate surgery was scheduled for April 25, 2006. I would again, have to wear the catheter for another six to seven days after the surgery.
The doctor's narrative was as follows:
"BRIEF HISTORY: Mr. Grasty is a 62-year old with prostatic outlet obstruction who underwent laser prostatectomy and was doing well and unfortunately had some obstruction uropathy. He was scoped in the office and found to have a contracted prostatic fossa and the cystoscope was unable to be traversed through this prostatic fossa stricture. He was counseled in the office regarding laser prostatectomy in order to open his prostatic fossa. He present to the operating room today for the same procedure."
The second laser surgery of my prostate was performed with no complications. However, there were many questions that were not answered by the doctors. Why had this prostatic fossa (tissue) grown back to restrict my urine flow? Was I allergic to latex, because the surgical team used latex gloves and the equipment was latex coated? Was I allergic to the laser burning tissue inside my body? Did my body heal too fast due to the laser-generated heat? Was there damage to tissue? These are some of the questions that I should have asked before the surgery. The doctors were very confident in this surgical technique, but had never treated a patient whose body had rejected this invasive surgery. In retrospect, I should have gotten a second opinion.
The post operation recovery was similar to my first surgery. The catheter was removed six to seven days after the surgery in the doctor's office. Again, I had to drink water and urinate in the office.
Postoperative healing was on scheduled and I resumed my daily routine with some restrictions. The depression, because of the repeated surgeries, passed and life was good.
I was relieved that it was over. However, two more prostate surgeries would follow and I would be returned to the catheter nightmare for an additional fourteen days.
The next article will complete my odyssey through four-laser vaporization of prostate surgeries, which successfully ended when I secured a second opinion from Dr. David I. Lee-Assistant Professor of Surgery-Chief of Urology-Penn Presbyterian-Department of Surgery-Division of Urology
His office is located in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Clarence A Grasty
For more articles,videos,and products, please click on the link below:
Prostate Laser Surgery and the Catheter
Recovery from my first laser vaporization of prostate surgery was going well and the bleeding had all but stopped. There was a stinging sensation when urinating, but the medication took the edge off of the pain. The flow rate of the urine had increased and for once in a long time I felt as though I could empty my bladder completely. That feeling/relief that one feels is the same as being young again, able to urinate over a wall. Drinking several glasses of water a day and not consuming any alcohol were at this time keys to my recovery and a return to golf.
However, after three months, the flow of urine began to decrease and it was more difficult to go. This continued for about two weeks into April 2006. My first operation was on December 29, 2005. I began to feel very depressed about my situation and my sex life took a turn for the worse. Finally, I returned to my urologist for an examination. At that time the nurse tried to insert the cystoscope into my urethra [penis head] and she could not get it to go in. The urologist tried but failed to get the cystoscope to work for me. His diagnosis was "obstruction uropathy". In other words, tissue had begun to fuse or grow together in the urethra, which was causing a reduced urine flow. A second laser vaporization of prostate surgery was scheduled for April 25, 2006. I would again, have to wear the catheter for another six to seven days after the surgery.
The doctor's narrative was as follows:
"BRIEF HISTORY: Mr. Grasty is a 62-year old with prostatic outlet obstruction who underwent laser prostatectomy and was doing well and unfortunately had some obstruction uropathy. He was scoped in the office and found to have a contracted prostatic fossa and the cystoscope was unable to be traversed through this prostatic fossa stricture. He was counseled in the office regarding laser prostatectomy in order to open his prostatic fossa. He present to the operating room today for the same procedure."
The second laser surgery of my prostate was performed with no complications. However, there were many questions that were not answered by the doctors. Why had this prostatic fossa (tissue) grown back to restrict my urine flow? Was I allergic to latex, because the surgical team used latex gloves and the equipment was latex coated? Was I allergic to the laser burning tissue inside my body? Did my body heal too fast due to the laser-generated heat? Was there damage to tissue? These are some of the questions that I should have asked before the surgery. The doctors were very confident in this surgical technique, but had never treated a patient whose body had rejected this invasive surgery. In retrospect, I should have gotten a second opinion.
The post operation recovery was similar to my first surgery. The catheter was removed six to seven days after the surgery in the doctor's office. Again, I had to drink water and urinate in the office.
Postoperative healing was on scheduled and I resumed my daily routine with some restrictions. The depression, because of the repeated surgeries, passed and life was good.
I was relieved that it was over. However, two more prostate surgeries would follow and I would be returned to the catheter nightmare for an additional fourteen days.
The next article will complete my odyssey through four-laser vaporization of prostate surgeries, which successfully ended when I secured a second opinion from Dr. David I. Lee-Assistant Professor of Surgery-Chief of Urology-Penn Presbyterian-Department of Surgery-Division of Urology
His office is located in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Clarence A Grasty
For more articles,videos,and products, please click on the link below:
Prostate Laser Surgery and the Catheter
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