Aquablation therapy FAQ
Learn more about aquablation therapy, an advanced treatment option we offer for an enlarged prostate.
Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive, alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate. It provides proven, long-lasting relief to BPH by utilizing the power of water, delivered with the precision of a robot.
Am I a candidate for Aquablation therapy?
Aquablation therapy has proven to be safe and effective for men suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH, and can be performed on all sizes of prostates.
How does Aquablation therapy work?
The first step of Aquablation therapy is to create a surgical map. As the only BPH treatment that combines the standard camera (cystoscope) with ultrasound imaging, your surgeon is able to see your whole prostate in real time, mapping the parts of the prostate by identifying the parts to remove or avoid.
After the surgical map is created, a robotically-controlled, heat-free waterjet removes the part of the identified prostate tissue, minimizing human error.
Will Aquablation affect my ability to have sex?
The rate of irreversible complications, such as incontinence, ejaculatory dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, is very low for Aquablation therapy.
Does it hurt?
No. The treatment is performed under anesthesia in a hospital.
How long does it take?
The procedure takes close to an hour, and you will typically need to stay overnight in the hospital.
What are the benefits of Aquablation therapy?
Aquablation is the only procedure that allows the surgeon to see your whole prostate in real time, giving your surgeon the ability to create a surgical map of the prostate and identify the parts that are causing problems.
With Aquablation therapy, only the tissue causing the problems is removed. The prostate is reached via the urethra, so there’s no incision.
In clinical studies, men who had Aquablation therapy had low rates of irreversible complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction, and studies show the therapy provides long-term relief.
How quickly will I recover?
Typically, patients will stay overnight in the hospital.
When you wake up from your procedure, like all BPH procedures, you will have a catheter to help you relieve yourself while you heal. Before going home, your catheter will be removed and your doctor will ensure you can urinate on your own. You may be asked to stay an additional night if you have trouble urinating. However, you won’t have a catheter once discharged.
Once home, you may experience a slight burning while urinating for a few weeks that you can help relieve with mild pain medication.
When will I be able to return to my normal activities?
Ask your doctor about resuming to your normal activities.
Is Aquablation therapy covered by my insurance?
Most major insurance companies along with Medicare provide coverage policies for their patients. Contact your provider directly to check your coverage of Aquablation therapy based on your medical condition.