Urology
Facey urologists offer comprehensive treatment for a broad range of urological conditions affecting men and women. Our services and quality surgical care treat conditions mostly affecting the kidneys, bladder, urethra, male reproductive organs and prostate. When surgery is necessary, it is performed in a compassionate setting utilizing the latest technological techniques.
Our physicians are trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgery options for several of the above conditions, including: nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, sacrocolpopexy, bladder neck suspension, adrenalectomy, prostatectomy and many more. Contact our offices to learn about your options and schedule a consultation.
- Bladder infections, cancer and hematuria
- Continuous urinary tract infections
- Enlarged prostate (BPH)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Female incontinence and prolapse
- General urology
- Hypogonadism
- Incontinence, overactive bladder
- Kidney stones, cysts and cancer
- Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
- Peyronie’s disease
- Prostate cancer and elevated PSA
- Renal and ureteral reconstruction
- Testicular cancer
- Urethral stricture
- Voiding dysfunction
BPH is very common and typically affects men ages 50 and older. In fact, more than 70 percent of men in their 60s have symptoms of this condition. These symptoms include:
- Frequent need to urinate both day and night
- Loss of stream force (weak stream)
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Delay or need to pressurize the stream to start urination (“hesitancy”)
- Urgent need to urinate
- Stream that stops and starts (“intermittent stream”)
- Dribble at the end of urination
While BPH is a benign condition, it does have an enormous impact on patients and their families:
- Psychologically (depression)
- Economically (lost work productivity)
- Quality of life (living in the bathroom and experiencing sleep deprivation)
The Urolift System is among a wide variety of procedures and treatments available for our patients at Facey Medical Group. This particular procedure has many benefits for patients. There are no sexual side effects, it doesn’t involve cutting or heating the prostate, and it can be performed either in the office or in the operating room. Men can expect a recovery period of one to two weeks, during which there are no dietary or physical restrictions. Patients can return to work quickly, and rarely are catheters required.
As we explain to our patients with BPH, the prostate is a key component in the male reproduction system and produces the majority of fluids that create semen. The prostate begins to grow during puberty and plays an important role in men’s sexual and reproductive health.
But the prostate’s growth doesn’t stop after puberty is completed. Instead, there is a slow and steady nonstop enlargement process. At around age 50, the prostate begins to block the urethra as the growth pushes inwardly (as illustrated below), resulting in a constellation of frustrating symptoms for men and their partners.
The Urolift System gained FDA clearance in 2013, following level 1 evidence – with improvement based on a randomized controlled clinical trial – demonstrating significant reduction in urinary symptoms from BPH. Follow-up studies have underlined the durability and effectiveness men can expect after the procedure.
The Urolift System procedure is performed by urologists who have undergone a rigorous training program including proctored cases, online modules and simulators. Participating urologists receive the highest level of training, and the procedure has demonstrated very positive outcomes.
During the procedure, the urologist uses the Urolift System device to lift and move the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way of the urinary stream so that the prostate no longer blocks the urethra. Tiny implants are placed to hold the tissue in place in this new unobstructed position, similar to tiebacks on a window curtain.
These implants are inert, they don’t react with human tissue and patients can’t feel them. Because they’re made of tiny amounts of stainless steel and nitinol, the implants don’t set off metal detectors. Once the Urolift System procedure is completed, the tissue is compressed and moved out of the way. The result is an open path for the urinary stream.
Men with BPH typically are still in the work force and are physically and sexually active. They often are concerned with the side effects and costs of medications to treat their BPH. Transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, and other surgeries that burn, microwave or cut away the prostate growth also can cause permanent issues such as leakage, erectile dysfunction or urethral stricture. In addition, these interventions can have a lengthy recovery time (six to eight weeks), may be costly, and sometimes require a post-op urinary catheter. For these and other reasons, patients may be wary of these interventions.
As a result, physicians have an inconsistent track record in treating BPH while meeting men’s expectations for a successful, minimally-invasive, cost-effective therapy with few side effects, and little or no long-term risk/complications.
Half of men in their 50s suffer benign prostatic hyperplasia – enlargement of the prostate gland – a condition that is progressive, initially annoying and frustrating, but can lead to significant lifestyle alterations.If left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. Surgical treatment options often force men to choose between symptom relief and irreversible complications including sexual and urinary dysfunction.
Facey urologists are some of the first in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities to provide a therapy called Aquablation®, a state-of-the-art procedure to treat men with enlarged prostates. Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a powerful water jet – nearly the speed of sound. Using a combination of real-time ultrasound and direct vision through a tiny camera inserted through the urethra, the robot controls the removal of the excess prostate tissue. Studies show the procedure is safe and highly effective, results in minimal bleeding and guards against complications including sexual side effects and incontinence. Most cases are covered by Medicare.
Our team performs the minimally invasive therapy using the AquaBeam Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared, surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms related to problems with your bladder, prostate or urethra. It combines real-time, multi-dimensional imaging, automated robotic technology and waterjet ablation technology for targeted, controlled and immediate removal of prostate tissue. Aquablation therapy is effective regardless of prostate shape or size.
Because of its success, Aquablation is in demand by men who have tried medication but are looking for a lasting solution with a very minimal risk of irreversible complications. Our partner hospital, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, is among the few in the region that have obtained the technology and training.
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