PVP has been around for a few years, but only in the past year has it
really taken off.  Although there have been more than 15,000
operations,  few doctors doing this procedure because 1) they are
resistant to change the method they are currently doing 2) they are
not trained to do PVP 3) they don't have the PVP equipment available
to them 4) they get better reimbursement with other methods.  I
believe this will all change in the next 6 months as PVP receives a
higher reimbursement from Medicare.  This will enable more hospitals
to justify buying the equipment and to train more doctors on the PVP
procedure.

As with any surgery, it's best to go with the doctor who you feel is
best trained and experienced, and with who you feel the most
comfortable. If you have to travel to attain this, then by all means,
do it.

When I was initially doing my research on PVP I was a little apprehensive
about it because there were so few facilities that have the equipment. It
occured to me that if this was so good, why were there not more locations
offering it. That was an answer I needed before committing. There are only
two uros in Colorado who do the procedure and I had to travel 5 hours to be
at a facility that has the equipment.

I asked the uro why there were not more trained in the procedure and he told
me it was a combination of the cost of the equipment and the nature of the
profession to not accept change. He learned about it when he attended a
convention at the Broadmoor (read world class golf course) and when he
attended a session on PVP his colleagues were on the links. He pursuaded his
hospital in Alamosa to purchase the machine. He has since moved to Pueblo
and the hospital there is dragging its feet on purchasing the equipment so
he is forced to meet with patients in Pueblo for pre-op visits but travels
to Alamosa once a week to perform the procedures.

I am now PVP + 40 days and could not be happier with the procedure or the
results. Believe me when I say that if the decision had to be made again
whether to get a PVP or one of the other procedures available, I would not
change a thing. Comparing my experience with PVP with those who report on
other procedures used, I am very satisfied.
Myron