UroLift for BPH
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This minimally invasive procedure is for men with BPH (enlarged prostate). It involves no cutting, heating, or removal of prostate tissue and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
The UroLift™ procedure can be performed as a same-day outpatient procedure under sedation or local anesthesia (pain is blocked but you remain awake). Patients typically return home with no overnight stay and usually no catheter is required after treatment.
How It Works
An enlarged prostate has extra tissue that can narrow or even block your urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms.
Your doctor goes through your urethra with a small scope to perform this procedure. Tiny implants are permanently placed to compress and hold your enlarged prostate tissue out of the way to increase the opening of the urethra. Learn more about the procedure. Once the implants are in place, urine flow through the urethra is improved, providing lasting BPH symptom relief. This relief may take a few weeks following the procedure.
Compared to some other BPH treatment options, UroLift patients have less recovery time and experience very few, if any, side effects, especially in terms of sexual function.
What to Expect
You may experience urinary discomfort during the recovery period, especially for the first few days after surgery.
The most common side effects may include blood in the urine, some pain or discomfort when urinating, some increased urge to go, more frequent urination, and mild discomfort in the pelvis. These symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.
Your urologist will talk with you about how quickly you can return to your daily activities.
The implants are intended to be permanent but can be removed if necessary. They are made up of standard surgical implantable materials: a nitinol capsular tab, a stainless-steel urethral tab, and polyethylene suture that holds the two tabs together. Please tell your provider if you have a nickel allergy, as there is some nickel in one of the pieces of the implant.
