Aquablation: 8 Myths and the Facts
By Dr. Ahmed Ali Alnaimi, Consultant Urological Surgeon
Aquablation is still new to many people, so misunderstandings are common. Here are the questions patients raise most often.
Myth 1: It is just a water spray, so it cannot be very effective
Fact: Aquablation uses a precisely controlled, high-velocity waterjet guided by a robot and planned on live ultrasound. In a randomised trial, symptom improvement was comparable to TURP, the long-standing standard operation.
Myth 2: It only works for small prostates
Fact: Aquablation has been studied specifically in men with large prostates and can treat a wide range of sizes.
Myth 3: The robot does the operation on its own
Fact: The surgeon plans the treatment, checks it, starts it and watches throughout. The robot carries out the plan precisely but makes no decisions.
Myth 4: All prostate surgery ruins your sex life
Fact: Several traditional procedures commonly cause retrograde ejaculation. Aquablation is designed to protect the areas linked to ejaculation, and most men keep their sexual function.
Myth 5: Heat-free means there is no bleeding
Fact: Bleeding is still the main risk to discuss. Controlling it at the end of the procedure is an important step, and your team will explain how it is managed.
Myth 6: You will be in hospital for a week
Fact: Most men stay around one night, and the catheter is usually removed within a few days.
Myth 7: It is experimental
Fact: Aquablation has been studied in randomised trials with five years of follow-up and is used in hospitals in many countries.
Myth 8: If tablets still help, a procedure is out of the question
Fact: Some men choose a procedure because they do not want long-term medication or its side effects. That is a valid reason to discuss your options.
The bottom line
Aquablation is a well-studied option, but not the right one for everyone. Dr. Ahmed Ali Alnaimi can assess your prostate and tell you honestly whether it suits you.
Every prostate, and every patient, is different. A consultation gives you a clear picture of your own options.
What Is Aquablation? A Heat-Free Approach to Enlarged Prostate