Finding Relief: One Patient’s Experience With Aquablation Therapy

Ray felt like his health concerns were stuck on “repeat.” Since 2004, he’d struggled with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and undergone multiple procedures. Still, his BPH symptoms kept coming back. That’s when his primary care doctor suggested he be referred to a urologist.

“I’d had PSA tests in the past and ended up with severely troubling procedures,” says Ray, a retired military veteran in his mid-70s. “When more tests and surgeries seemed inevitable, I was nervous.”

Ray worried another procedure would result in more of the same, but he was immediately relieved when he met urologist Fernando Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, in Riverview.

A Problematic Prostate History

Off and on for more than 20 years, Ray experienced urinary symptoms linked to his enlarged prostate, including urgency and urinary incontinence, which often interfered with his daily activities.

“Being incontinent has a significant impact on your life,” he says. “You don’t want to travel, and it’s worrisome to even leave the house. Making sure you know where the bathroom is, for instance, is literally something you have to think about wherever you go.”

Initially, to treat these symptoms, Ray went through two transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP) in less than two years. During the resections, doctors inserted a specialized tool through the urethra to scrape away prostate tissue that blocks urine flow. Recovery was painful for Ray, required a temporary catheter and lasted several weeks each time.

So, when Ray’s symptoms reappeared last year — and he had blood in his urine— he knew he wanted a different treatment that offered a quicker recovery.

Aquablation: An Advanced, Less Painful Procedure

Ray went to his first appointment with Dr. Kim, feeling worried because he’d had multiple unsuccessful procedures in the past. “I was scared, didn’t know what was happening with my symptoms and dreaded another surgery, knowing how painful my other procedures had been,” Ray says.

But he was relieved when Dr. Kim suggested Aquablation, a new procedure that uses a high-velocity waterjet to target and remove excess prostate tissue. Since Ray would be the hospital’s first Aquablation patient, he admits he was still a bit uneasy. “But Dr. Kim said he’d give me and my prostate a 350,000-mile warranty,” says Ray. “He had a way of assuring me that everything would be fine.”

How Aquablation Works

Aquablation can be effective for most men who experience urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. It’s a quick 20-minute procedure with excellent outcomes. Using ultrasound imaging to create a precise outline of the excess prostate tissue, doctors carefully thread a heat-free, robotically controlled waterjet through the urethra to the prostate. The waterjet uses the outline as a guide, removing only excess tissue.

“It’s a fast process that’s very much like a pressure washer. It’s potent, and we have great control over the depth and reach of the water,” says Dr. Kim. “There’s very little bleeding, and the patient’s symptoms disappear almost immediately afterward.” Patients typically stay overnight in the hospital after the procedure. A full recovery usually takes a week, and nearly all men experience long-term symptom relief without sexual side effects.

Ray’s Long-Awaited Relief

Ray says he considered Aquablation his birthday gift this year since it was scheduled the very next day — and he’s pleased to report that the results were better than he’d hoped. “After the procedure, I stayed overnight in the hospital and was shocked I didn’t feel one iota of pain,” he says. “And when I came home, I took no pain medication but was still able to get back to my normal life within a day or two. There were absolutely zero side effects.” Dr. Kim says most men who undergo Aquablation can expect similar results.

The Power of Whole-Person Care

Ray says Dr. Kim’s expertise put him at ease about being the first to try a new procedure, and that knowing AdventHealth has a dedicated Aquablation program with the most advanced equipment and technology gave him even more confidence. But beyond that, Ray credits his supportive care team for his positive outcome. “Every nurse I worked with showed a really caring attitude,” he says. “They listen, take time with you and truly treat you like your family.”

Helping You Reclaim Your Life

For Ray, Aquablation therapy meant getting back to living life on his terms. If you’re experiencing disruptive symptoms from an enlarged prostate, know that we’re here to help. Our expert urologists at AdventHealth Riverview offer dedicated Aquablation therapy to help you heal. Together, we can take the next step toward feeling whole.