GreenLight™ Laser Therapy option provides rapid relief of symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In many cases, GreenLight™ Laser Therapy also offers a shorter hospital stay, less catheterization time, less bleeding, and a faster recovery than traditional surgical options.
The urologists of Northeast Georgia Urological Associates commonly perform the GreenLight Laser surgery in our Ambulatory Surgery Center. The procedure is our method of choice because of the excellent results, safety, less chance for bleeding, and shorter time of requiring a catheter.
The Day of the Procedure
On the day of your procedure, you will come to the treatment center. You should have someone drive you home since this is an outpatient procedure. Keep in mind that different patients may require a different treatment regimen. Here is a general description of the procedure and what to expect:Before treatment, your physician may give you medication to help you relax during the procedure. You may also receive medication to help you avoid infections.You may be asked to empty your bladder.You will be brought into the procedure room and moved into the treatment bed where you will lie on your back. You will be provided anesthesia that will allow you to sleep through the entire procedure. Depending on the treatment center, other types of anesthesia may be used, including spinal block or a nerve block.Once you are asleep or the anesthesia block takes effect, your physician will insert a cystoscope through your urethra.The laser fiber is introduced through the cystoscope and advanced into the urethra at the location of the prostate.The physician systematically vaporizes the enlarged prostate tissue until the obstruction is removed.At the end of the procedure, the physician may insert a temporary catheter to let urine drain from your bladder.
You may experience mild discomfort, such as slight burning during urination, and trace amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Also, depending on the condition of your bladder, you may experience a greater urination frequency and urge to urinate. This will resolve over time as your bladder adjusts to removal of the obstruction in your urethra.
Following the GreenLightTM procedure, you will likely experience immediate improvement in flow and symptoms, but will possibly have mild short-term urgency and frequency or mild pain during urination. Blood in the urine occurs less frequently; however, retrograde or diminished ejaculate volume is common. You may require a catheter for a short time, which is dependent on the physician’s discretion.
Patient Information Video
After the Procedure
Because this is an outpatient procedure, you will typically go home within a few hours of treatment. You should have someone drive you home after the procedure.
If a catheter was placed in your bladder at the end of the procedure, it will typically be removed within 24 hours. However, patients with compromised bladder function or those who require prolonged catheterization as a result of severe urinary symptoms may require a catheter for a longer period of time.
Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and a dramatic improvement in urine flow. This typically occurs within 24 hours of the procedure. However, medical history, health condition, and other factors can influence treatment recovery. You may experience mild discomfort, such as slight burning during urination, and small amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Also, depending on the condition of your bladder, you may experience greater frequency and urge to urinate. This will resolve over time as your bladder adjusts to removal of the obstruction in your urethra. You may be given an antibiotic to help you avoid infection. For discomfort, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are options. Typically, you may return to normal activities 2 to 3 days after the procedure. You should not engage in sexual activities for about 2 weeks following the procedure. Activities that may lead to blood in the urine, such as strenuous exercise (including heavy lifting, bike riding, or running on a treadmill) and working with vibrating equipment (sitting on lawnmowers or snow tractors), must also be avoided for at least 2 weeks. Mild episodes of blood in urine are possible 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure, for which anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed.
Below is a live end-result video of a GreenLight performed by Dr. McHugh.
Our physicians are the most experienced urologists in Northeast Georgia in performing the GreenLight laser. The procedure is routinely performed in our accredited ambulatory urological surgery center. Anesthesia is provided by a board certified hospital based anesthesiologist.
If you are a male and have difficulty voiding, call today for an appointment-770-535-0001
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