Having been diagnosed with BPH several years ago, I have managed the condition with Tamsulosin. It has helped but over recent months the common symptoms of urgency and frequency started to recur. Then, in the process of pre-operative checks prior to an inguinal hernia procedure last November, I was found to have a small amount of blood in my urine. This led to further consultations with my GP and then to Consultant Nurse, Susan Nicol and eventually Consultant Urological Surgeon, Mr Thilagarajah, both of Essex Urology at Springfield Hospital.

Following a flexible cystoscopy, which was by no means painful or in any other way problematic, Mr Thilagarajah advised my suitability for either Green Light Laser surgery or for the newer UroLift System procedure. We discussed the options in some depth and I made other enquires before coming to the conclusion that the apparent advantages of UroLift are such that it is a far less invasive, potentially equally successful and offers a comparatively better recovery.

Just four days later, the procedure was carried out under general anaesthetic. When I came round I was catheterised, which was uncomfortable, but in less than an hour of consciousness and in the recovery area, that tube was removed. Back in on the ward, urine samples were required prior to discharge. Providing these was quite “uncomfortable”, with a bit of bleeding, but by no means “painful”. I was told to expect some discomfort along with “frequency” and “urgency” for a few days and perhaps a little more bleeding. I was advised not to drive for a week and not to lift, push or pull much weight for a couple of weeks, but that otherwise life could return to normal and I was discharged with antibiotics.