Mayo Urology Centre, Taree

From: M. Coggan

Date: 19^th August 2009

I have been having consultation with Dr Nagaonkar re my enlarged prostate over the past 6 months, and was initially prescribed medication (tablets). We discussed various surgical options. At my last visit it was decided that GreenLight laser therapy may be a better option. My stay in the Mayo hospital was 24 hours (overnight) and the outcome of the operation has been very positive. Previously I had been going to the toilet 5-6 times per night. Within 1 week this had subsided to approximately 3 times and I felt well physically. I did pass small amounts of blood and was having a mild burning sensation and that lasted for a few days. Currently, 21 days from the operation, there is no blood, no burning, and I am now only going to the toilet once or twice a night. After speaking to Dr Nagaonkar today I feel this operation has been very successful.

From: Mr Frederick King

Date: 22^nd September 2009

I recently had a GREENLIGHT LASER prostate operation performed by Dr Santoshi Nagaonkar. I was not looking forward to this procedure as I am a devout coward when it comes to pain and discomfort. To my amazement and great relief it was absolutely painless and trouble free. An overnight stay in Hospital, catheter for short time, home the next day, no discomfort. I am now 100% OK in that department. I would thoroughly recommend this procedure to any man who is experiencing a Prostate problem and would urge all men to go to their doctor for a prostate check up and see the GREENLIGHT, should you need to.

From: Robert, Tinonee

It’s been about 90 days since my Green Laser prostate reduction surgery and all is back to normal, well almost back to normal.

Enlarged prostate or BPH – benign prostate hyperplasia or trouble pissing has bothered me for about 7 years. It started off just subtle changes in urinating and urinating again and again, no real problem just urinating often. Then for the last couple of years I seem to be around the toilet more often and urinating more frequently. Spent most of the morning pissing and never felt I’ve completely emptied out. Not to mention the three or four times at night.

My Urologist gave me a biopsy of the prostate and all was ok – cancer free which was a relief to me, read so much about cancer, not a nice thing to have. I then had an ultrasound of the bladder, had to drink two litres of water 2 hours before the ultrasound and hold it for the ultrasound. That was not a good experience for me, I felt I was going to pee myself before the test was over and when I did have a pee only a little bit came out, it took three goes to pee out enough to feel  slightly comfortable. The ultrasound test did not go well fluid was backed up to my kidneys and I was still urinating.

Surgery looked to be the only way out of this situation. I’ve read about TURP surgery and all the complications that come with it, at 56 I was too young to have erectile problems and incontinence which was almost certain with TURP, and I’ve heard from friends and friends of friends that it happened to them.

Luckily for me the Mayo Hospital in Taree had just acquired a Green Laser unit for prostate surgery about four weeks earlier.  I made my decision that’s the way to go. I booked for the surgery and was able to get in about three weeks later. I’ve never had surgery before apart from the biopsy but I was well informed from what the Urologist told me and from all I’ve read on the internet.

Surgery was a breeze can’t remember a thing, they tell me it took nearly two hours. When I came to I noticed I had a catheter in me which felt uncomfortable or maybe it was the operation that was uncomfortable but bearable. I was told to drink lots of water which I did and I never had to leave the bed for a pee.

The catheter was removed next morning, had to drink more water and the pee was measured and I was given an ultrasound and when the result was less than 50ml remaining in the bladder on three consecutive efforts I was discharged from the hospital after lunch.

In the first few days my urine was tainted with blood and blood clots and a stinging sensation when I urinated. A dull pain lasted for a week or so. In the days and weeks to come I wore pads for the fear of wetting myself but I found after everything settled down I had control and I stopped using the pads. Erectile function is ok and unaffected, ejaculation is mostly retrograde sometimes more than others. My equipment works differently to what it used to and I’m learning its quirks like making sure the tube is drained of urine before putting it back and doing the pelvic floor exercises to stop any leaks.

All in all the Green Laser surgery has improved my life and I’m not chained to the toilet anymore, I have a strong stream and can empty out in one go.

Thank you to Dr. Nagaonkar and the Green Laser team at the Mayo Hospital Taree.

From: Peter, Port Macquarie

Date: 6^th August 2010

Three months ago Dr Santoshi Nagaonkar used the Greenlight Laser to reduce the size of my enlarged prostate. My prostate was enlarged to the extent that for two years I needed to use a catheter to empty my bladder. In addition, my bladder had become enlarged to the extent that it lost its elasticity, sensation and normal function. Four urologists had offered the opinion that my bladder would never recover or was highly unlikely to recover, meaning that I would most likely have to use catheterisation for the rest of my life. This was not a welcome prognosis for an otherwise fit and healthy 58 year old!

Over the two years prior to my prostate surgery I researched the various methods of dealing with an enlarged prostate. As I regarded surgery as an unpalatable option I tried various alternative methods to reduce the size of my prostate – medications, herbs, chiropractic, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine. Unfortunately none of these worked. This left me no alternative but to try surgery even though there was a risk of incontinence and sexual dysfunction with the distinct possibility that I would still need to catheterise following surgery.

I then researched the various surgical options including Greenlight Laser and the traditional TURP, regarded as the “gold standard”. I also consulted with four urologists before finally deciding upon Dr Nagaonkar and Greenlight Laser.

My surgery was performed on a Friday afternoon at the Mayo and my catheter was removed early on Saturday morning. It was with quite a lot of trepidation that I went into the bathroom for my first pee. Would I be able to pee at all, and if I could how much would come out, and how much retention would there be? Well I need not have worried as my flow was fine with little retention at the end. I checked out of hospital the same afternoon, one day earlier than planned.

Full healing took some time, but now three months later my bladder function is fine, there is no discomfort, incontinence nor sexual dysfunction, and my stream is stronger that it has been for at least twenty years. My health is great and I can easily undertake strenuous bush walks, mountain biking and kayaking.

I found the whole experience virtually pain free and with very little bleeding post op. I was particularly impressed with Dr Nagaonkar who spent a considerable amount of time with me at each of my consultations and fully explained every part of my procedures. He was also available to answer all of my questions and to alleviate my concerns.

I strongly recommend Dr Nagaonkar, the Mayo Hospital and the Greenlight Laser.