Prostate Enlargement

Editor, Times-Union:
Forward: About half of all men over 50 have benign prostate enlargement (BPE/BPH). The prevalence rises steadily with age, reaching ~50% between ages 51–60, ~70% between 60–69, and ~80–90% in men over 70. Source: Harvard and Yale Health.
The following is what I did after suffering all of 2025 with excruciating pain in the pelvis region and upper legs. Following is the experience of DeVon C. “Dan” Lee, of Warsaw, relayed here with the hope it helps someone.
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“Made it through TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) surgery with flying colors. Very painful post-op until they have the pain medications (4) injected into my IV.
I did a great deal of research so I would know what to expect before and after. There is much on line from physician associations in the urology section of medical practice. Everything was exactly as I expected. I should note that not all men with BPE will have a serious problem requiring surgery, but weak flow and some occasional pain is all but a sure thing. Medications like Flomax can help reduce the size of the swollen prostate. The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut located at the opening of the male bladder.
Men, you will not like even the thought of what they do to alleviate some of the pain in the future. Regardless of what you do, the chances you will have BPE is very good, up to 90% of you over age 80.
The TURP surgery is considered the "gold standard" to end urinary issues because of an enlarged prostate. Incontinence can also be a problem. TURP has a nationwide 90% success rate with no complications. It can also address insufficient bladder emptying, which was my problem with a bladder twice normal size.
Oversimplified, the surgeon inserts a special instrument down your urethra and cuts a larger prostate pathway into the urethra for urine to flow. There is no cutting of tissue elsewhere; its all done within the urinary tract. Of course, you are completely asleep and unaware. It’s a simple but major surgery.
Post-op recovery depends, but can be six weeks or more. Because the bladder primarily caused my year-long pain, that pain is besides any caused by the prostate. That could mean I may not get 100% results. But anything after a year of debilitating pain is a win for me. Because nerves of the urinary tract and bowels are so close to one another, problems in one area can directly affect the other.
Above all, do not ignore a urinary problem. Go see your local urologist … sooner, rather than later. Delay could mean more serious issues.
My surgery was at Lutheran Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne and covered by Medicare. Dr. Michael Rudoff was my surgeon.”
Devon C. “Dan” Lee
Warsaw, via email