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HIFU Treatment Information |
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When you have a HIFU treatment, you can expect the following:
Before the Treatment
The night before you are scheduled for your procedure you will be given two enemas. These are to be administered two hours before you head in for the procedure. When you arrive at the treatment facility, you will be given a spinal anesthesia. This prevents the patient from moving during the procedure. Since it is so important that you do not move, you will also be given a light sedative through an IV.
During the Treatment
You will not feel any pain during the treatment. The small treatment probe is inserted through the rectum. The doctor uses this probe to capture real-time images of the prostate and the surrounding tissue. After studying these images, the same probe delivers the ultrasound waves directly into the prostate tissue. The treatment takes from one to three hours, depending on the size of the gland being treated. After you are done, you may find that your abdomen swells slightly. This is caused by the tissue that has been destroyed. You will wear a catheter while this swelling goes down, which usually takes between two to three weeks. This way your bladder can empty completely while your body is healing. You can resume all other aspects of your normal lifestyle, such as diet and recreational activities, soon after treatment. You will not have to stay in the hospital, and you will have no incisions to care for.
After Treatment
You will stay in the treatment facility for one to two hours immediately after the procedure while the anesthetic wears off. Then you will be released to recover at your hotel. You will take a mild antibiotic during your recovery time, which helps prevent possible infections. Your body may feel a little sore, but this will not last and is a normal result of the procedure. You may also have mild problems with your urinary system for the first two weeks after a HIFU procedure. These are also normal complaints and will resolve themselves as your body heals.
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