Prostatic urethral lift is a procedure to treat urinary issues caused by an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small organ just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body through the penis.

When a prostate gland becomes enlarged, it’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. As your prostate gets bigger, it may squeeze or partly block the urethra. This often causes problems when you urinate.

During the procedure, you will be given medicine to relax you and make you sleepy. Your doctor will put a thin, lighted tube into your urethra. This is called a cystoscope, or scope. It goes in through the opening in your penis. Next, the doctor guides a special device through the scope. Your doctor uses the device to place small implants in the prostate tissue. The implants lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra. This helps make it easier for you to urinate.

Most people get two to six implants. The implants will stay in your body long-term. This procedure can be done in a doctor's office. Or it may be done in a hospital. You can go home after the procedure.

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your procedure. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco and nicotine products. These things increase procedure risks. Your doctor may require that you quit for a period of time before and after the procedure. You have the best chance for a healthy recovery if you quit completely. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your procedure. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

• Bring a picture ID.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You may get medicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.
• The procedure will take about 15 to 30 minutes.
• You may stay at the doctor's office or hospital for 1 to 2 hours until the medicine you were given wears off.