My stricture was found by accident. I had no idea that I had a weak stream or any other indications until a nurse went to place a catheter and ended up traumatizing my urethra, and ultimately obliterating it completely. As horrible as it was, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise though, because without it I never would have found out that my stricture had been there my entire life, and was slowly but surely wearing out my bladder. Eventually my bladder would have given out, forcing me to live with a suprapubic catheter for the rest of my life.
The surgery isn’t exactly fun, but in the hands of a seasoned surgeon it’s not only highly successful, but it’s also not as bad as you’d imagine. I can’t tell you one way or the other, but I don’t regret having my surgery, even if mine was ultimately a little different from the one you’re facing.
Clayton