Rob--my frequency problem was mainly at night.  Daytime was fairly
frequent, but not a problem.  Now daytime is definitely no problem, and
nights are rapidly improving. Surgery on ONLY the median lobe was never
even discussed.  It was always understood that the median lobe and the
urethra were both going under the laser.  Doug

Thanks, Jack and Doug, for your detaled information.  This is very
helpful.

Doug, did you have a daytime frequency problem prior to your PVP?  And
has it been remedied?

And for both of you, was there any discussion about working ONLY on the
median lobe or is it standard practice to do the entire prostate?

Thanks again,

Rob

Rob:  I had PVP surgery for BPH completed on 7 June 2005.  I am
extremely pleased with the results.  Surgeon: Dr David Laub, M.D. of
Santa Barbara , CA (805 569-2462 --he has done well over 200 PVP
operations). I am grateful to this site for (1)alerting me to the PVP
procedure, and (2)for pointing me toward Dr Laub.  I only had to travel
from San Diego to Santa Barbara, but knowing what I know now, I would
cross the continent in the blink of an eye for this particular doctor's
services!

My history:  Age 73/prostate size approx. 60 cc./ intermittent weak
flow with the usual night time retention/ 3X up on a good night & 5 to
6 X on a bad night/ on low dosage coumadin as result of mitral valve
repair 7 years ago/ fairly large medain lobe protruding into bladder/
AUA score around 24 plus/ no cancer involvement/ diagnosed via
cystoscopy as TURP candidate!

PVP surgery was with a general anesthetic/ exactly one hour duration/
KTP laser vaporization of the prostate as well as the median lobe
protruding into the bladder, using 249,000 joules.  Catheter was
removed about 2 hours after surgery, and approx. four hours after
surgery I walked out of the hospital with no catheter and returned to
my motel! I returned to San Diego the next day. I went off of coumadin
one week before surgery, and resumed coumadin one week after surgery.
If I lived in snow country, I could now write my name in the snow!  I
have had no problem whatsoever, other than missing my daily swim for
the first two weeks per Dr Laub's recommendation.  For the first week,
I had pink-tinged urine.  After that, normal urine.  I get up 2 times
per night now, but mostly out of a long term habit which I am certain I
can easily break.  I anticipate that soon I will be making one trip
each night. No more starting and stopping! My return appointment with
Dr. Laub is at the three month point.

Rob--I hope this has answered some of your questions.  It goes without
saying that I recommend Dr. Laub without reservation.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who had a median lobe protruding
into the bladder or bladder neck and has undergone PVP surgery.

I am not blocked, but because my enlarged median lobe pushes into the
bladder, my uro tells me that is the cause of my frequency (due to
reduced bladder capacity).  My frequency need is at minimum a nuisance,
bordering on a minor handicap.  I'd like to do something other than
taking Proscar, which has arrested the enlargement but not reversed or
shrunk it. I'm 69 years old and feel I'm on a tether due to the
frequency.  I'm mistrusting of any professional who has an economic
stake in my decision.  Same applies to those promoting the procedure.
That's why I'd welcome first hand accounts.  I feel they're more
honest.

In replying, could you advise how the surgery has affected your
frequency and whether the surgeon worked ONLY on the median lobe or
sought to vaporize most of the enlarged tissue throughout the prostate.

Thanks,

Rob