Last month I wrote about my first uroflow (or “uroflowmetery”) test. You can read that post here: Results Of Uroflowmetry Test. Today, which is about 10 weeks after the surgery) I had a full post-surgery (end-to-end urethroplasty) follow-up with my surgeon, which included another uroflow test.
The doctors are still impressed with my “excellent water pressure.” As I mentioned in the post after the first flow test, I’m still in the top 10% of all men now, measuring 38 mL/sec. This is actually in the range they call “superflow.” So I have a super power. Hurray! Now if I can only figure out how to fight crime with it, I’d be all set;).
Since I also still (yes, frustrating) have testicle and scrotum pain, I was able to get not one, but two urologists – actual doctors – to examine me down there. My primary surgeon was one of them and he was very thorough, looking and examining from front and underneath to check the incision site (the perineum). The verdict is that the testicles and epididymis were all normal. That was the good news. The bad news was that I was having pain and they really couldn’t say why, though since it had been getting better – though VERY slowly, it was concluded that it was just still healing up from all the damage done to the tissues during the surgery. I was told 3 weeks ago that it could take up to a year for things to completely heal up. Their advice was to try wearing an athletic supporter (jock strap) to help speed things up. I bought one today. I guess I should start wearing it, maybe tomorrow;).
So for all you guys out there who have had, or are about to have a urethroplasty, you may well not be warned about the possibility of pain for months to come. But from the various guys I’ve spoken to via the interwebs who have gone before me in this surgery, it is actually fairly common. If you get to the 5 week point and beyond and still have pain, you should take comfort in knowing that it’s probably nothing to worry about. But you should still see your doctor to make absolutely sure.
And I’d love to know what your uroflow peak flow number is!
Cheers,
Ken
Great news Ken! Thanks for posting. I am noticing that you have a lot more follow-up than I am having. Guess it is a different approach of the docs.
I have my 4 month visit on Nov. 25. Looking forward (nervously) to that visit.
Yes, I still have sensitivity of the scrotum too. Sometimes itchy, sometimes a little like needles.
The theme still continues – slow, but recovering.
All the best to you,
C
Thanks Chris! Yeah, it turns out that last uroflow appointment was not part of their normal follow-up. When my surgeon took out the catheter on August 2nd, he said the uroflow and follow-up would be in 2 months. But when the appointment wasn’t showing up on my schedule after 2 weeks, I called and made an appointment myself, and they said to come in like the next week. So it ended up being a month early. Oops:-P. I was a bit impatient (or “proactive” would be another word). Plus it was only due to my constant pestering of the nurses about my pain that allowed me to speak with the co-surgeon at that aforementioned appointment “just while I was there.” The same is true about speaking with him on the phone a couple of weeks earlier.
So yesterday’s appointment was really only the 2nd appointment that I was supposed to have since the July 16th surgery, the first one being the actual removal of the catheter and test of the urethra seal.
Weren’t your supposed to have your uroflow sometime soon? 38 is the number to beat;).
Good luck!
Ken
ps – Oh, I forgot to mention that the doc said to start wearing a jock-strap, so today is the first full day of THAT. I’ll report back on how well, if at all, that works to reduce the pain.
Yes, Nov. 25th is my test time. I am studying!
I hope that I can come close to 38. You and your superpowers. Wow!
Thanks Ken.
c
Chris,
Just checking in. Are you still having scrotal pain and/or the swollen feeling up inside the perineum? I am still feeling both those things. I have a meeting with a new surgeon – the one fixing my inguinal hernia – tomorrow. He sent me for a scrotal ultrasound Friday and will, hopefully, be able to tell me why I’m having pain down there. My hernia surgery is Tuesday. I’m hoping that will help.
Anyway, I hope you’re doing well.
Ken
Good to hear your both recovering nicely. I, on the other hand, think I’m in that 10% who are not successful. My steam is nowhere near as strong as yours. It’s stronger than it was, but not as strong as it should be. I go back to the doc for my first official follow up in December, and I expect I’ll need another one next year.
Chris, I also have the same odd feelings in the scrotum at times, but that’s almost back to normal.
Ken, did they give you any reason you would still be having pain?
This probably belongs in the forum, but I haven’t created an account yet.
Josh,
I’m sorry to hear things are not working out as well for you as they should. About the scrotum pain, he couldn’t say for sure. But he suspected that it was due to the retraction during the surgery. Plus just a lot of trauma happens in the area. He examined me pretty thoroughly and said there was no unusual swelling in the epididymis or testicles. So they just said to wear a jock strap to help prevent things from pulling and it should get better with time.
I hope he’s right.
Good luck with your situation, Josh!
Ken
Hi Josh,
Hopefully you`ll read this sometime over the next couple of weeks. I remember reading another post of yours, can`t find it, were you mention that Dr. Santucci treated your stricture. I am curious to know how you are doing and if DMC provided you the care and professionalism you were expecting? I am probably getting my proximal bulbar stricture treated there with him in December. In another post you mention your stream improved but not as much as you may have been expecting, how long was your stricture and where was it located? I am convinced that even though my stricture is smaller than 2 cm BMG urethroplasty is a good choice….any insights would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Dan
I am 2 weeks away from my procedure. I’m 33 years old. Had 5 DIVU’s starting when I was 16. 2 of them were this year. Both failed within 2 weeks. Other than being a strange mix of terrified and excited, I have some questions. My family and I have a vacation scheduled for what should be 4 weeks after the cath comes out. My vacation includes an 8 hour drive each way. Do you think that will be too much of a drive that soon after the procedure? My stricture is short, not sure exactly, maybe under 2.5cm, but my urologist is going to do a bm graft regardless.
Thanks, and I will probably post more later. I am feeling fairly overwhelmed at this point.
Hi Kurt. 4 weeks after your catheter comes out should be OK. A fair number of guys have residual pain in the scrotum that long after the actual surgery, but my urologist, as well as 3 other docs and a scrotal ultrasound all said there was no evidence of any cause. Everything was fine as far as any test could tell. But I still had the pain. Looking back now, I could have made life easier on myself if I’d known that sitting on that donut pillow I was using actually made things worse! I ended up with a pretty big hemorrhoid problem that I thought was swelling from the surgery. After I started using Preparation H and stopped sitting on a donut pillow, things got much better. So (keeping in mind I am not a medical professional), I recommend sitting on a regular cushion as soon as you can after the surgery. You probably won’t have this seemingly phantom-type pain (the docs were all surprised and confused). So 4 weeks after the catheter comes out, which should be 6-8 weeks after the actual surgery, things should be OK for your long drive. If you do have the same pain I did, it might help to be the passenger so you can shift your position often. But even then, it won’t be much more than an annoyance. Odds are you’ll be just fine.
Hang in there! Things get so much better!!
Ken
ps- I’m assuming you’ll be having the perineal approach surgery. If not, then my experience won’t be as much help.
-K
My doctor has spoken about “neurogenic pain”. My understanding is that this is “phantom”pain that is caused by repeated jangling of the nerves in the general area over many years. The consequence is that I have acute pain from time to time with no apparent cause. I’m told that this pain will possibly eventually subside after stage 2 of my BMG surgery (,which sadly won’t be till next January).
Thanks for that, Tommo. I suspected as much myself, especially since none of my doctors (and up to 5 have done thorough exams) could find a cause for the scrotal pain. But it usually does subside with time – just more time than most people are used to having to wait for something to heal.
Good luck on your stage 2!
Ken
Had my first flow test today 10 weeks following my end to end surgery to repair my stricture. The results were great 32 ml/s. I’m 50 years old so that is fantastic. I still have scrotal pain and sitting is a real challenge. I also have random pain at the underside of my penis head which the doctor said some men get because the urethra is a little shorter and should get better with time. I hope everyone is doing great and pray that anyone just now going through this has a speedy recovery.
Thanks for the report, Jeff! So glad everything worked out so well. Sounds like you’re well on your way to a complete recovery. I’m also 50 (which I can’t believe!). So happy birthday – whenever that was:). One thing about this whole experience that made me happy was to find out that my flow problems were NOT “old man disease” – the enlarged prostate – like they had thought. they kept saying “well, men of your age….frequently….” Ha! Not so:). I have the prostate of a 12 year old:-P.
Anyway, good luck on your continued healing. And thanks again for sharing your success story!
Ken
Good day ken im 8 weeks post urethroplasty mine with graft i testicular pain still i have pain top my penis coming and going like itcing
mine wase on perineal area
My flow is great but when i read your flow i suppried did you mean your avarge flow 38 or max flow 38
Mine avarge 15 max 20 doc told me is fine im 40 years old
Hi Naser. Sorry for the late reply. My flow has gone back to normal now. According to this – https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/health-ency-multimedia/1/003325.htm#:~:text=Normal%20Results&text=Ages%204%20to%207%20%2D%2D,males%20is%2012%20mL%2Fsec, average flow for males up to the age of 45 is 21, dropping to an expected average of 12 when you turn 46. So it sounds like you’re pretty close to average, considering ranges like these vary, depending on who you talk to. I say trust your doctor on this. BTW, my 38 was max, not average.