Time for a change

[heyitsme]

I’m 45 and had bad flow as long as I can remember. When I was about 29, I had to go to the ER w here it was diagnosed and not long after it was cut out i think. 14 years later, I was living in Denmark and had to do it again. Lasted for a while but now I”m back where I started.

Current symptoms…… frequent urination…. taking several minutes to get it all out…. Now i’m just now learning about this urethroplasty and I’m excited there might be a more permanent option. I yearn for the happiness I had after the previous procedures where it seemed like a firehose after the catheter was removed.

Tomorrow, I’m calling a local guy in NC who appears to get pretty good ratings. Hopefully, he can see me soon and we can get this party started soon. I’ll keep everyone updated and I”m sure I”ll have some questions.

[Clayton]

With the high success rates of today’s procedures, there really is no good reason not to get treated.

Keep us all updated on how you’re doing. The more people that contribute, the more helpful this forum is to everyone.

Clayton

[heyitsme]

Urethrogram scheduled for Monday. Will be interesting to see the results. I’ll update everyone afterwards.

[heyitsme]

Had Urethrogram today at Imaging Center. Doc visit is next Tuesday to interpret the results and determine next steps. Based on what I saw, I clearly have a classic bulbar urethral stricture. It looks to be only a few cm long but certainly very constricted down to what looks like a hairline diameter.

[heyitsme]

Saw doc today. He says bulbar urethral stricture, approx 1cm long. Recommends end-to-end Urethroplasty. Says it was in probably the best place to have it, high up in the bulbar region. Says he can do the procedure in 2 hours and it is his favorite procedure to perform. Says he would have me in a regular catheter for 2 weeks.

Unfortunately, he was not available for surgery until 21 June!!! Fortunately, the scheduling nurse had a recent cancellation she had not filled and pushed me to the front of the wait list. So, I am currently scheduled for 23 May.

I’m excited to get this over. Hurry up and wait.

[Clayton]

Its too bad you have to wait that long, but it sounds like great news otherwise. The success rate for a short end-to-end is extremely high.

Clayton

[heyitsme]

Received a call from the scheduling nurse this morning. I had previously asked her to consult w/ the doctor and see if he could refer me to anyone who could possibly do the procedure sooner. His reply to the nurse was to move it this Saturday! So I’m getting all setup to be there bright and early on Saturday morning and get this process started.

A couple of questions….
I’m doing this through outpatient surgery with no hospital stay. Once I am home, how long will it be before I can get up and down from the bed, move around, and do things for myself (get food / drink / walk upstairs / etc)

Thanks.

[heyitsme]

I am now 3 days into my recovery. I didn’t talk to the doctor but I assume everything went as planned. I am laying in bed taking it easy. Have swelling in my scrotum. The surgery site really not that painful. Some pain in my penis related to the catheter I’m sure. I took a shower today. No big deal. Biggest concern right now is when I am going to Poop. Hopefully soon and there will be no drama there.

Follow up visit is 20 April. Wish me luck!!!

[heyitsme]

In just 5 more days I will get the followup urethrogram and then consult w/ the doctor. Hopefully, everything looks good and the catheter comes out. Think everything has pretty much been text book thus far, similar to most other’s experience.

Only thing that I wasn’t expecting is that I feel kind of chapped where my leg connects to my trunk near my balls. I put some vaseline on but not really helping.

I’ll report back on Friday after my doc appointment.

[heyitsme]

Greetings everyone! I just returned from my voiding VUCG and follow up w/ my Urologist. First, let me say that I am home now SANS catheter and I AM PEEING LIKE A RUSSIAN RACEHORSE!!!!!! I’M GOING TO NEED TO START HOLDING THIS FIREHOSE WITH 2 HANDS!!!!! I feel ecstatic to have that damn foley catheter out and to be able to pee like a normal (or better) human being is truly unbelievable. I’m already moving around better and feeling more like my old self. This has been a difficult experience but in hindsight, it was an easy decision especially given the result. If you are out there like me and trying to decide if urethroplasty is the right move, I say it’s a no-brainer. Go for it!

Details from my visit

First, I went to radiology to get the VUCG done. Bottom line, it wasn’t too big of a deal. Worst part was pulling the catheter out but the nurse did it very fast and as soon as it was out, the pain was gone. It took me about 2 minutes to pee into the beaker they provided for the xray. It was interesting to see the xray and actually see the fluid leaving my body. Everything looked smooth w/ no leakage but still needed the urologist to confirm. Next, I went to see the urologist who confirmed everything looked good and I was free to leave sans catheter. My scar (perineum area) is still healing and the stitches have not completely dissolved. There will be NO followup unless I feel like it is needed. Doc says his success rate is so high that he doesn’t feel it is necessary.

Interesting tidbit

Before I left, I asked my urologist was the stricture due to natural causes or was it from injury. He advised that pathology of the stricture had come back as caused by Uretheral Lymphoangioma. This was the first case in his many years of urethroplasty where this was the underlying cause. He said it was extremely rare, so rare that he had to go read multiple medical papers to fully assess.

[Steve]

CONGRATULATIONS.🙂

[heyitsme]

Wrapping up my first day back at work. Been seated most of the day. While I was in some pain/soreness, it was manageable… 3 weeks post-op.

[heyitsme]

After a week of sitting in a training class all week, I’m still pretty sore. Anyone know if I can soak in a bath approx 4 weeks after surgery?

[Steve]

Hi Heyitsme,

On Monday I will see my doc and will ask him that question. I am two weeks out of surgery and I am still very sore. My instructions state no sit baths. They are worried about infections. I have been using a clean wet hot facecloth. This works for a while but the pain returns. Hot showers also work with a spray nozzle. Doc says that it is okay to run warm soapy water over stitch area.

Hopes this helps. I would think if your wound has healed completely then you could not get a infection.

My cath removal test is still two weeks away due to my age and diabetes. I still have a super public in place for a backup and will not have it removed unless I can pee regularly. Have had the super public for a year now and use to it. Do not want to have to have another put back in.

Please keep me updated on how you are doing.

Thank you,
Steve

[heyitsme]

Thanks Steve. I have been using hot showers w/ a spray nozzle. I tried some vaseline as well. I feel like the problem is partially the cut but it’s also this chapped feeling I have + when my scrotum brushes up against my legs as I walks. I’m not wearing a jock strap. The ones I was given were size L and I probably needed XL. The size they gave me felt too tight on my body. I’ve been wearing boxer briefs that are slightly too small to try and give similar effect. I”m now 4 weeks post-op and thought I’d be mostly through the annoying pain but I guess not. I feel like i’m at least another 2 weeks away from being at a point where it’s not a thing.

Good news is, I’m still peeing like a russian racehorse, especially when my bladder is full. It’s downright amazing. I hope you have a similar result.

[Author]

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