John Rawson of Davison, is celebrating much more than his seventy-third birthday this August. He also has reason to rejoice in his improved quality of life after undergoing a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny technology to relieve bladder infections, obstruction, and the constant urge to use the restroom. John is among the estimated 50 million men around the globe suffering from urinary issues due to an enlarged prostate.
John is one of the first patients in the region to have a procedure performed with the UroLift® System. His urologist, Samir Basata, MD, is the only area physician offering the treatment option at McLaren Flint.
Urologist Samir Basata, MD, shows patient John Rawson images of his enlarged prostate before and after having a new procedure called the UroLift® System.
“I was looking for help with my condition, so I contacted my longtime urologist, Dr. Basata,” states John. “I had a bladder infection because I could not completely empty it, and I was at the point that any kind of running water would trigger the need for me to use the restroom.”
Medication is often the first line of therapy in treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or in layman’s terms, an enlarged prostate not caused by cancer. Side effects of treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness, and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. Also, some patients do not respond to medical therapy. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts or ablates (burns away) prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. Fortunately, the UroLift System is now an option available to area men.
“The UroLift System involves bringing tiny implants up through the urethra by way of a delivery device,” explains Dr. Basata. “These permanent implants are delivered through a small needle that comes out of the device and into the prostate, holding its lobes apart like open curtains on a window, relieving compression on the urethra. This procedure provides fast and meaningful relief from BPH symptoms, improving overall quality of life for patients.”
John was able to return home from the hospital the same day of the procedure.
“Dr. Basata said I was the perfect candidate for the UroLift procedure,” adds John. “I highly recommend it. I immediately felt better, and it has changed my life in other ways. Now I can go and fill up my four gallon water jugs at the grocery store and have no triggers to run and use the restroom.”
Additional benefits of the implants are that they do not affect a digital rectal exam (DRE), as they are placed on the front side of the prostate, and the DRE is conducted on the back side of the prostate. The use of this treatment option lacks cutting and heating of prostate tissue, making the UroLift System the first and only BPH treatment that does not remove prostate tissue or negatively impact a man’s sexual function.