Laser prostate surgery aims to alleviate severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. In this excerpt, you will learn what to expect during laser prostate surgery.
When should you consider laser prostate surgery?
The primary symptoms of an enlarged prostate are the frequent urge to urinate and difficulties when urinating. Once detected, your doctor will recommend a variety of medications to relax prostate muscles and shrink the prostate gland. If the medicine does not relieve the symptoms, then you should consider laser prostate surgery. The primary advantage of the procedure is its ability to reduce symptoms within a short period.
Risks of laser prostate surgery.
Below are a few risks of the procedure:
Preparing for surgery.
Before surgery, you will need to meet with your doctor. The doctor might recommend that you stop taking blood thinning medication and other non-prescription drugs. You need to fast before the surgery. Ask a close friend or family member to drive you to and from the hospital.
The surgery.
To reduce sensation during surgery, your doctor will give you a spinal or general anaesthetic. Once the anaesthesia takes effect, the doctor will insert a hollow scope in your urethra to the prostate. The prostate is cut or vaporised using a laser that the doctor inserts in the scope. After cutting the prostate, the doctor pumps irrigation fluid through the scope to flush out blood and prostate particles. Finally, the doctor inserts a catheter to help drain urine and blood clots.
After surgery.
The catheter is usually removed within a day. You might need the catheter for longer if you are unable to urinate after removing the post-surgery catheter. Most patients experience blood in their urine and irritation while urinating; however, these symptoms wear out within a few days. Your doctor might ask you to hold off sex and heavy exercises until you are fully healed.
Laser prostate surgery is an effective method of managing an enlarged prostate. It is vital that you take the prescribed medication to avoid complications after the surgery.
Share19 March 2019
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