[plikearacehorse]

I was initially afraid to go forward with this surgury because of the all the horror stories I had read on the net. My biggest concern was TURP Syndrome which is nasty. I finally agreed to have the operation done becuase I really didn't have a choice. My flow was down to a drip and lots of bloating and up many times at night. My bladder wasn't emptying. In pre-op I asked my doctor about the TURP syndrome and he said in med school and early TURPS it was a 1.5 hour procedure and TURP Syndrome is a function of how long the irrigation is taking place during the surgury. He said he'd be done with me in 20-30 minutes. I had a spinal (painless but a bit weird) and he WAS done is 25 minutes. I had ~20 bags of saline pumped through me via the garden hose catheter within 24 hours. They removed the catheter the next morning. I peed 200 cc and emptied my bladder (confirmed by ultrsound) and I was released even though the color of my urine was strawberry. They said it looked fine and normal. I had blood for a few days but it slowly diminished. I passed one large piece of the prostrate which was apparently still in the 'system' otherwise it has been fine. I'm following the doc's orders (no lifting) for 6 weeks and I would say my case is textbook. I would recommend it if you are having quality of life issues. It was no big deal and I indeed do 'pee like a racehorse' now. The most uncomfortable thing was the catheter.

[mrcoyote]

Thanks for posting your experience. I hope this allows others here to understand that the procedure is not the nightmare it has been made up to be.You were real lucky you didn't get a nasty bladder infection before your surgery when your urine would back up. Those are the WORST. I thought I knew pain until that happened to me. Wow. You are right about the catheter....it's not fun, but I was so happy to be able to do anything I didn't mind it. You may or may not find yourself peeing out other small pieces of the prostate as time goes on. It's a bit freaky, but harmless. My doc confirmed this. Good luck to you.

[plikearacehorse]

Appreciate your supporting response. I am fortunate that no infections were present. I was required to take an antibiotic for 4 days after the procedure as a precaution and I ended up having some reaction to the med (mid-body rash and itching). The med was Sulfameth/Trimeth.

I guess my only concern (having read some other posts here) is that there is still some pain upon intial urination start, probably from the site of the sphinter that controls the urine on/off switch, and it lingers a bit afterwards (particularly at night). I hope that subsides.

[mrcoyote]

I remember having the same symptom after the surgery.....I asked my doc about it and he said it was probably the catheter that causes what you are feeling now. Don't worry...it goes away. Give it a little time. As I remember, there is a pill you can take for that, but I myself wanted to just let it heal up by itself and not take one more med. if necessary. I wish you good luck and a great holiday season.