Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP)
Surgery for an enlarged prostate to relieve urinary difficulties.
Available from £8,399
Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP)
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At Wells Health, our consultants provide surgery for an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) to relieve urinary difficulties.
Symptoms are caused by the enlarged prostate pressing on your urethra and bladder. Your consultant can treat this by removing or destroying prostate tissue.
Sometimes also called
- Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP)
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Transurethral water ablation.
The procedures listed are examples only and your consultant will discuss the best option for your treatment with you.
What to expect with your treatment
At Wells Health, we take pride in providing outstanding care you can trust, with appointments that work around you.
Our expert consultants provide treatment and recovery plans tailored to your needs. We offer fast access to diagnostic tests and scans and consultations, so you won’t have to wait long to find out if surgery is right for you.
- Typical hospital stay
1-3 days - Procedure duration
45-90 minutes - Type of anaesthetic
General, spinal, epidural or local - Available to self-pay?
Yes - Covered by health insurance?
Yes
Procedures offered for prostate surgery
Your consultant will assess the condition of your prostate, your general health and your intended outcome in order to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Our consultants offer a variety of treatments for benign prostate enlargement.
The type of anaesthetic recommended depends on a number of factors and the type of procedure. These include:
- A general anaesthetic – like being in a deep sleep during surgery so you won’t feel pain, move, or remember the procedure.
- A spinal or epidural – an injection into your lower back that numbs the lower half of your body. You may be awake, or request sedation to relax you further. You will not feel anything during the procedure.
- A local anaesthetic – an injection to numb an area of your body. You will be awake, but won’t feel pain in the area being treated.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- A special instrument is passed through your urethra and a small, electrically-heated wire is used to trim small pieces of prostate tissue
- Performed under general anaesthetic
- You’ll need a urinary catheter for around one to three days after the operation
Laser prostate surgery
- A specialised tool is passed through your urethra and a laser (e.g. a HoLEP Holmium laser) which generates intense heat is used to trim small pieces of prostate tissue
- Performed under general anaesthetic
- You usually need a urinary catheter for around one to three days after the operation, but it may be for a shorter time than with a TURP.
Your consultant will explain the potential benefits and complications of each procedure before you decide to go ahead.
Preparing for prostate surgery
Getting here
We're at Wells Health Fordcombe in Kent, six miles from the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the nearest station is Tunbridge Wells. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.
Your consultation
You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our private consultation rooms. They’ll discuss:
- Your symptoms and any particular urinary problems you’re having
- What the treatment options are, including alternatives to surgery such as medication and lifestyle changes
- Whether you need any tests or scans to help your consultant plan the next steps
- The potential benefits and risks of treatment.
You'll also need a pre-operative assessment with one of our specialist nurses to check your fitness and overall health before admission.
Prostate surgery: your procedure
The procedure takes about an hour. If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait while you have your operation.
You’ll usually need at least an overnight stay – most patients stay for one to two nights.
After your procedure, you may have a urinary catheter in place to help you pass urine. This is because your urethra will be swollen following surgery, which can make urinating difficult. It will be taken out when you’re ready to leave hospital.
Your recovery after prostate surgery
[Title] Prostate surgery: your recovery
Our pharmacist will provide you with medication to help you manage any pain following your operation. They’ll also give you advice about over-the-counter medications you can use while at home, and anything you should or shouldn’t do.
Your recovery time will depend on the procedure you've had and your overall health. Although everyone’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical timeline:
- 1-3 days: catheter is removed and you can leave hospital
- 1-3 weeks: driving and gentle walking
- 3-4 weeks: back to desk-based job and sex if you’re comfortable enough
- 4-8 weeks: full recovery.
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions with them.