Private Scuba › Diving › Health and Safety › UroLift Procedure
There is a minimal invasive surgical solution for scuba divers to get rapid improvements of BPH symptoms. In most cases, it can take place without the need for inpatient invasive surgical intervention.
The medical guidelines in this section explain how long it takes to recover from a UroLift BPH procedure, and what restrictions you may face before you can dive again.
UroLift is recommended for patients who prefer not to take medications for BPH symptoms.
It's also a good option for individuals who may be affected by some of the side effects of BPH medications.
For example, some of the benefits of the UroLift system include:
Note: An enlarged prostate (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia) affects around 500 million men worldwide. It is a condition that causes urinary symptoms that become more common and bothersome in men as they get older.
Because it can take place under local anaesthesia, the entire surgical procedure of moving "enlarged tissue" out of the way takes about thirty (30) minutes to complete.
In fact, most patients respond well to the UroLift system - depending on the size of their prostate. But, some will require a bladder catheter for up to three (3) days after the procedure.
The system works by lifting and pinning back the enlarged prostate tissue. Doing so helps to stop it blocking the urethra and reduces obstruction to the normal flow of urine.
Surgeons use solid materials for UroLift implants. In other words, they're unlikely to be problematic during scuba diving activities (excluding any major complications).
However, the following medications may exacerbate the normal symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for some scuba divers:
Some of these medications might tighten the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck. As a result, the diver may experience some difficulty with urination.
The inability to urinate is important for several reasons. But, the main one is that it poses a diagnostic challenge as a symptom of serious decompression sickness (DCS).
Plus, any ongoing medication following a UroLift BPH procedure may lead to extra medical considerations as being direct contraindications for scuba diving.
Most patients will be able to go home without any major complications after having the UroLift system procedure.
But, if you need to have a catheter removed, you should be able to make a full return to regular activities within a few days.
Pro Tip: As with all medical procedures, Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends getting cleared by your treating physician before participating in full and unrestricted activities, including making a return to scuba diving after a UroLift BPH procedure.