Aquablation Therapy For BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, leads to weak urine flow, stopping and starting, and long nights of getting up to use the bathroom. Medication helps many men, though some still live with strong symptoms or side effects.
At Riverstone Urology Specialists, Dr. Russell Libby offers Aquablation therapy as one option for men with bothersome BPH. Aquablation uses a robotic system and a heat free waterjet to remove extra prostate tissue through the urethra, with no external incisions.
What Is Aquablation Therapy
Aquablation Therapy Treats BPH By Removing Prostate Tissue That Blocks Urine Flow. The System Combines Three Elements.
- Real time ultrasound imaging
- A tiny camera in the urethra
- A robotic arm that directs a heat free, high pressure waterjet
Dr. Libby creates a treatment map on a screen. The robot then follows that map and removes only the prostate tissue in the planned area. The goal is strong symptom relief with careful protection of structures that control continence and ejaculation.
Aquablation reaches the prostate through the urethra, so no incision appears on the skin.
Who Dr. Libby Considers For Aquablation
Aquablation Is One Tool In A Larger BPH Toolbox. Dr. Libby Tends To Think About It For Men Who:
- Have moderate to severe urinary symptoms from BPH
- Feel limited by side effects or incomplete relief from medicine
- Prefer a surgical option with a strong focus on preserving sexual function
- Have a prostate size or shape that creates trouble for other procedures
Clinical studies support Aquablation for prostates across a wide size range with durable symptom improvement and lower rates of ejaculatory problems compared with some heat based procedures.
Not every man with BPH needs Aquablation. Some do best with medicine, Urolift, GreenLight laser, or continued observation. The decision depends on symptoms, anatomy, health history, and goals.
How Aquablation Works Step By Step
Dr. Libby Explains Aquablation As A Two Stage Process Carried Out During One Operation Under Anesthesia.
Step 1, Planning
- A cystoscope (tiny camera) and an ultrasound probe work together to show the prostate in real time.
- On a screen, Dr. Libby outlines which tissue to remove and which areas to protect, such as the urinary sphincter and structures involved in ejaculation.
This planning step matters because it links symptom relief to protection of function.
Step 2, Robotic Waterjet Treatment
- The robotic arm directs a heat free waterjet through the urethra.
- The system follows the planned map and removes the targeted tissue.
- The goal is a smooth channel through the prostate with a consistent result from case to case.
After the treatment, Dr. Libby checks the result, controls any bleeding, and places a catheter before you leave the operating room.
Potential Benefits Of Aquablation
Every Procedure Has Tradeoffs. The Reasons Dr. Libby Keeps Aquablation In His Toolkit Include:
- Strong symptom relief: Studies show large drops in IPSS symptom scores and better flow rates after Aquablation.
- Heat free tissue removal: The waterjet removes tissue without heat, which helps spare nearby nerves and structures.
- Broad prostate size range: Data support use across a wide range of prostate volumes, including larger glands that challenge other options.
- Sexual function profile: Published outcomes show high rates of preserved continence and erections, with lower rates of ejaculatory dysfunction than many traditional resection methods.
These points do not guarantee a result for one person, though they help shape expectations.
Risks And Limits
Aquablation Remains Real Surgery With Real Risk. Possible Issues Include:
- Bleeding that sometimes needs transfusion
- Infection
- Temporary trouble with urination once the catheter comes out
- Irritative urinary symptoms during healing
- Need for repeat treatment over time
- Rare injury to nearby structures
Long term data look promising, though the method remains newer than TURP and some laser procedures, so evidence continues to grow.
Dr. Libby walks through these risks in detail before anyone signs a consent form.
How Aquablation Compares With Other BPH Treatments
Dr. Libby Often Lays Out Treatment Choices Side By Side, So Men See How Aquablation Fits In.
Medicine
Alpha blockers and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors often serve as first line help. They relieve symptoms for many men, though side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, and sexual changes sometimes limit their use. Aquablation enters the picture when medicines no longer match the level of bother.
Urolift
Urolift lifts and holds prostate tissue away from the urethra with small implants rather than removing tissue. Recovery tends to run short, with light symptom relief for many men with smaller glands and favorable anatomy. Aquablation removes tissue and suits a wider range of prostate sizes, at the cost of a more involved procedure.
Green Light And Other Laser Options
Laser therapies vaporize or remove tissue with heat. They work well and have long track records. Heat exposure around the ejaculatory ducts sometimes raises the risk of dry orgasm. Aquablation uses a heat free jet and a planning step that focuses on sparing these structures.
TURP
TURP remains a standard reference procedure. Symptom relief is strong, and experience spans decades. Aquablation aims for similar symptom gains with a shorter resection time and lower rates of some sexual side effects in head to head studies, though long term retreatment data continue to develop.
No single option wins every comparison. The best choice depends on your priorities.
What To Expect Before And After Aquablation
Dr. Libby Explains Aquablation As A Two Stage Process Carried Out During One Operation Under Anesthesia.
Before The Procedure
You meet with Dr. Libby to:
- Review your symptom score, history, exam, and imaging
- Confirm that BPH drives your symptoms, not another condition
- Talk through options and decide together on Aquablation
The team then:
- Coordinates lab work and any needed medical clearance
- Gives written directions on fasting and medicine adjustments
- Schedules a surgery date at an affiliated hospital or surgery center
Day Of Surgery
- You arrive several hours before the planned time
- Staff review your history and place an IV
- You meet anesthesia and Dr. Libby again before heading to the operating room
- After surgery, you wake up in recovery with a catheter in place
Most men stay in the hospital overnight, though local protocols guide that detail.
Recovery
General patterns include:
- A catheter for one to a few days, depending on bleeding and urine flow
- Burning and urgency that fade over days to weeks
- Light activity at first, then gradual return to work and exercise as advised
Follow up visits track symptom scores, side effects, and any need for further support.
How Dr. Libby Talks About Aquablation With Patients
In Clinic, Dr. Libby Often Frames Aquablation With Three Main Questions.
How Much Do Symptoms Limit Daily Life
If BPH symptoms interrupt sleep, work, and travel, a more definitive option makes more sense.
What Matters Most To You Long Term
Some men care most about rapid relief. Others place top priority on preserving ejaculation or limiting time off work. Aquablation becomes attractive when a man wants strong relief and a sexual function profile that looks favorable in current data.
Does Your Anatomy Support That Choice
Prostate size, shape, and prior surgery guide the final decision.
If Aquablation aligns with all three points, it sits near the top of the list. If not, another option may fit better.
Aquablation For Men In Cypress And The Woodlands
Riverstone Urology serves men with BPH fromNorth Houston, Cypress, The Woodlands or a nearby community. Aquablation therapy gives Dr. Libby one more way to match treatment intensity with symptom burden and personal goals.
If you live in this area and recognize the classic signs of BPH, such as slow stream, straining, and long nights in the bathroom, schedule a visit. The first step is a clear diagnosis and an honest talk. From there, you and Dr. Libby decide whether Aquablation, another procedure, or continued medicine makes the most sense for you.