Postoperative GLL PVP
- Once the catheter is removed after GLL PVP, most men are able to void. A subset of men may not be
able to void if the bladder is not ready to go yet and may need the catheter replaced. You should
drink plenty of fluids during the day to promote increased production of urine. You can restrict the
amount of fluids you drink later in the day so that you do not have to get up as much at night to
urinate. - It will be normal to have burning and stinging with urination for the first two months. There may be
blood which will develop on an intermittent basis during the first several months as well. Additionally,
there may be a sense of material or “debris” which is passed during urination.
You should avoid strenuous activity during the first two weeks, which includes heavy lifting, bike
riding, treadmill activity, or riding a lawnmower. Avoid sexual activity for two weeks. You may
resume your normal daily activities. You may resume driving a car. - During the first several months, the primary milestone to look for is increased urinary flow. As a result
of the laser procedure, the material which was blocking the urinary pathway has been removed. The
bladder should now be able to empty with better flow, which you will notice as a more powerful urinary
stream. It is important to recognize that it may take a much longer timeframe for the frequency of
urination, particularly frequency of urination at night, to reduce. The bladder has been working
against obstruction for years. As the bladder has worked against obstruction, it has become thicker
and less elastic so that its storage capacity is diminished. After the laser procedure, the bladder is no
longer working as hard against obstruction. Some of the thickening of the bladder muscle will lessen
and the bladder will regain its elasticity. Its storage capacity will increase. When that occurs, there
will be less of the “gotta go, gotta get there”, but it may take anywhere from two to 12 months to
notice that improvement. It is important to recognize that it took years for the bladder to get thicker
and less elastic, and so it will take a period of time for the bladder to reverse those changes. - Office follow-up at three to four weeks is advised. Most men are asked to do a “flow study”. You
should come to the office with a full bladder prepared to urinate. You will be asked to void in a special
commode which allows measurement of the force of urinary flow to see if the force of urination is
adequate.
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