My prostate operation hasn't worked

Do I have a prostate infection?

My father has had removal of the postate and a hernia

Prostate problems

Prostatitis

Sex and prostatitis

What are the symptoms of prostate trouble?

Worried about prostate problems

Question
I had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) operation two weeks ago because of very high urinary frequency.

So far there has been no improvement in frequency. Is there a general time lapse in cases like mine before I will see improvement?

Answer
Don't worry too much about the frequency of passing urine so soon after your prostate surgery. The majority of men complain of discomfort on passing urine associated with a degree of urgency for several weeks after the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) operation.

It is worth your while having a mid-stream sample of your urine tested at the local pathology laboratory to exclude infection.

Although any obstructive symptoms you may have had before surgery (eg slow flow) will have improved, sometimes the bladder can remain weak and relatively unstable, taking time to regain muscle tone and control.

Therefore, although high frequency was your most troublesome symptom, it may be the last one to improve after surgery.

Remember that the TURP operation is designed primarily to relieve obstructive symptoms rather than the irritative symptoms such as getting up at night to pass urine or going to the toilet frequently.

Whether the latter are improved following surgery will depend upon the condition of the bladder muscle once the obstruction has been relieved.

As a general rule, I would recommend that you drink no more than 2 litres of fluid a day.

Your kidneys are more productive of urine if you have caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol. So try decaffeinated tea and coffee and juice or squash instead.

As a last resort you could try to cut back on alcohol!

Having excluded infection, I would let things settle naturally for the moment. If there is no improvement in your frequency after 6 to 12 months, consider having a hospital review, which may involve further tests.

Yours sincerely

Dr John Pillinger, GP

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