The UroLift® System is a minimally invasive procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. It is a proven option for patients looking for an alternative to medications or major surgery. It is the only leading enlarged prostate procedure that does not require heating, cutting, or destruction of prostate tissue.
What Is an Enlarged Prostate?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older. Over 40% of men in their 50s and over 70% of men in their 60s have BPH. While BPH is benign and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can affect a man’s quality of life.
As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
Frequent need to urinate both day and night
Weak or slow urinary stream
A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
Difficulty or delay in starting urination
Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
A urinary stream that stops and starts
How the UroLift® System Works
The UroLift® Delivery Device is placed through the obstructed urethra to access the enlarged prostate. Small Urolift implants are permanently placed to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra. The permanent implants are delivered through a small needle from the UroLift® Delivery Device and into the prostate. The UroLift® System treatment provides quick symptom relief by opening the obstructed urethra.
Advantages of UroLift®
Safe and effective
Risk profile better than reported for procedures such as TURP
Rapid symptom relief, better than reported for medications
Shown to not cause new and lasting sexual dysfunction
Several Georgia Urology physicians have been designated as UroLift® Centers of Excellence. The designation recognizes that these physicians have achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH symptoms. The physicians at Georgia Urology have completed over 5,000 UroLift® procedures to date. The UroLift® Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists committed to educating their patients about BPH and the UroLift® System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.
What Should I Expect During the UroLift® Procedure?
If the UroLift® System is right for you, a trained physician at Georgia Urology will provide you with detailed information relating to the procedure.
The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia in a doctor’s office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital
The physician introduces a thin tube through the urethra and places implants into the prostate until a sufficient opening for urine to pass easily is achieved
What Should I Expect After the UroLift® Procedure & What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Most patients do not require a catheter after having the UroLift® System procedure.
Possible side effects are temporary and include:
Painful urination
Blood in urine
Pelvic pain
Urinary urgency and/or the inability to control the urge
Rare side effects, including bleeding and infection, may lead to serious outcomes and may require immediate intervention.
Most symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine if I may be a candidate for the UroLift®System Procedure?
Speak to your trusted Georgia Urology physician to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure. You may be a candidate if you are male, 45 years of age or older, and have symptoms relating to BPH.
Where is the UroLift® System procedure performed?
The UroLift® System procedure can be performed in an office, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital. Please speak with your Georgia Urology physician to understand your options and decide which is best for you.
How long will my results last?
The UroLift® System procedure is intended to be a long-lasting solution for BPH/LUTS that utilizes a permanently placed implant. Clinical studies have proven durability for up to five years. Individual results may vary.
Will my prostate continue to grow even after I get a UroLift® System procedure? What if I need another procedure?
Your prostate may continue to grow after the procedure; however, receiving the UroLift® System treatment does not preclude subsequent treatment with a UroLift® System, laser, or TURP procedure.
How quickly can I expect to have symptom relief?
Patients can experience minimal downtime post-treatment and symptom relief as early as two weeks.
What should I expect after the procedure?
Some men may experience discomfort after the procedure. You may have soreness in the lower abdomen, and sitting may be uncomfortable. You may experience the need to urinate more frequently and with greater urgency. You may have some blood in your urine, including passing an occasional blood clot. These are all normal reactions to the procedure. Many of these symptoms will resolve in a week or two, but some may last up to four weeks — this is normal.
When can I resume my usual activities?
Many men experience rapid recovery in the days following the procedure. Your physician at Georgia Urology will discuss any restrictions and your specific situation after your procedure.
Will I need to continue taking my BPH medications after the procedure?
The goal of the UroLift® System procedure is to provide the relief you need to discontinue your BPH medications. Your physician will decide if continued use of BPH medication is necessary.
Will my sexual function be affected by the UroLift® System procedure?
Clinical studies have shown that the UroLift® System procedure does not cause instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction. The same cannot always be said of other BPH therapies such as TURP, laser, and even medication.
What happens if the implants need to be removed?
The implants are intended to be permanent. The implant comprises standard surgical implantable materials: a nitinol campsula tab, a stainless steel urethral tab, and a polyethylene terephthalate suture that holds the two tabs together. Your Georgia Urology physician can remove the urethral tab if needed. The suture can be cut, and the urethral tab can be retrieved with standard grasper. The capsular tab and part of the suture will remain in place inside your body.
I have read that many men don’t need a catheter after the UroLift® System procedure. Is this true?
Most patients do not require a catheter after the UroLift System Procedure. Your physician will determine if you need one. If one is placed, it is typically only overnight and removed the next morning.
Does insurance cover the UroLift® System?
When medical criteria are met, the UroLift® System is covered by Medicare, national, and commercial plans, including all independent Blue Cross Blue Shield Association licensees. Please get in touch with your insurance provider for your specific coverage information.
