TRUS transrectal ultrasound prostate volume assessment
Recovery length, catheter duration, urinary function return, and the ejaculation impact that most Korean clinic websites don't mention — all four major BPH procedures compared side by side at MenPower Urology.
For prostate 30–80mL: UroLift offers the shortest recovery (same-day, back to work in 1–2 weeks) with ejaculation preserved in ~80% of patients. TURP is cheaper but causes retrograde ejaculation in ~65% and requires 1–2 nights. HoLEP handles large prostates (>80mL) that other procedures can't. Rezum sits in the middle — same-day but with a 2–7 day catheter. All four are available at MenPower with written English recovery protocols.
| Factor | TURP | UroLift | Rezum Steam | HoLEP Laser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best prostate size | 30–80 mL | 30–80 mL | 30–80 mL | Any size (preferred >80mL) |
| Mechanism | Resects tissue | Lifts lobes with implants | Steam ablates tissue | Laser enucleates lobes |
| Anesthesia | Spinal / General | Local + IV sedation | Local + IV sedation | Spinal / General |
| Hospital stay | 1–2 nights | Same-day | Same-day | 1–2 nights |
| Catheter duration | 1–3 days | 0–1 day (optional) | 2–7 days | 1–2 days |
| Return to work (desk) | 4–6 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
| Return to physical work | 6–8 weeks | 3–4 weeks | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Retrograde ejaculation risk | ~65% | ~20% | ~18% | ~70% |
| IPSS improvement (pts) | 12–16 | 11–14 | 10–14 | 14–18 |
| MenPower all-in USD | $3,200–$4,100 | $3,800–$4,600 | $3,500–$4,300 | $4,200–$5,500 |
UroLift is the most requested prostate procedure by MenPower's foreign patients due to minimal downtime and ejaculation preservation. Here is the full recovery calendar.
Light IV sedation; local anaesthetic injected into the prostatic urethra. Prostatic lobes retracted with permanent implants placed via cystoscope. No incision; no general anaesthesia required. Most patients pass urine before leaving the clinic. Mild urgency and burning on urination expected this evening.
Urinary frequency and urgency often worsen in days 1–3 as the prostatic urethra heals around the implants. This is expected tissue response — not a sign of failure. Increase fluid intake to 2.5–3L/day. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods. OTC ibuprofen for discomfort.
Most patients notice measurable stream improvement starting day 4–7. Burning on urination resolves. Occasional urge incontinence may persist through week 2. Resume normal diet. Light walking encouraged.
IPSS symptom score re-measured via video consultation — typically 5–8 points improvement at 2 weeks. Office work, driving, and light travel permitted. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and long-haul flights.
Full symptom improvement plateaus at 4–8 weeks. Average IPSS improvement in published trials: 11–14 points. Ejaculation preserved in ~80%. Sexual activity permitted from week 3–4. Full gym activity at week 4.
MenPower conducts a 12-month video review of IPSS scores and uroflowmetry results (performed by a local urologist in your country). Approximately 95% of UroLift patients avoid needing repeat treatment at 5 years.
Choose UroLift if you are:
Choose TURP if you are:
With these results Dr. Kwon can give you a specific procedure recommendation and price quote before you book travel.
Yes, BPH can recur because neither UroLift nor Rezum removes prostate tissue — they reduce obstruction by a different mechanism (UroLift by mechanical retraction; Rezum by ablating tissue with steam). Published 5-year data shows approximately 95% of UroLift patients and 91% of Rezum patients avoid retreatment. TURP and HoLEP have lower retreatment rates because they physically remove obstructing tissue. Dr. Kwon discusses long-term durability data based on your specific prostate characteristics at the consultation.
Not always. Most UroLift patients pass urine before leaving the clinic and do not require a catheter. Rezum patients typically wear a catheter for 2–7 days while swollen prostatic tissue contracts. TURP and HoLEP patients have a catheter for 1–3 days post-operatively. A catheter is never permanent and is removed by nursing staff — we provide English-language instructions for catheter care if you travel back to your accommodation with one in place.
Video follow-up with Dr. Kwon is included for 90 days. Symptom recurrence in the first 4–8 weeks post-UroLift or Rezum is often normal healing fluctuation — not failure. We reassess using the IPSS questionnaire by video. If symptoms indicate retreatment is needed, we coordinate with a urologist in your country. Full clinical notes and operative records are provided in English for this purpose.
Send your TRUS volume and IPSS score and Dr. Kwon will give you a specific recommendation and price quote by email — before you book travel.
Send Records for Free Assessment →Procedure Comparison
Every factor that matters to a foreign patient. Dr. Kwon publishes this before you enquire.
| Factor | UroLift | Rezum Steam | TURP | HoLEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ejaculation preserved | ✓ 100% | ✓ ~92% | ✗ ~65% | ✗ ~50% |
| Anaesthesia | Local / sedation | Local / sedation | Spinal / general | Spinal / general |
| OR time | 30–45 min | 10–20 min | 60–90 min | 60–120 min |
| Hospital stay | Day surgery | Day surgery | 1–2 nights | 1–2 nights |
| Catheter duration | Day 0–1 | 2–3 days | 5–7 days | 1–2 days |
| Minimum Busan stay | 4–5 days | 4–5 days | 8–10 days | 8–10 days |
| Short-haul flight | Day 4–5 | Day 4–5 | Day 8–10 | Day 8–10 |
| Symptom relief onset | 1–2 weeks | 3–6 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Peak symptom relief | Month 3 | Month 3–6 | Month 2–3 | Month 2–3 |
| 10-year retreatment risk | ~13–20% | ~10–15% | ~5–7% | ~2–4% |
| USD at MenPower | $4,200–$5,400 | $3,800–$4,800 | $3,200–$4,200 | $4,000–$5,200 |
| USA equivalent | $8,000–$14,000 | $7,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$20,000 | $14,000–$22,000 |
Dr. Kwon's selection criteria: IPSS score ≥ 20 + prostate volume determines the primary procedure. UroLift is preferred for prostate ≤ 80mL with lateral lobe obstruction and ejaculation preservation is prioritised. TURP or HoLEP for prostate > 80mL or prior UroLift failure. Rezum for mixed median lobe involvement. Final recommendation at video pre-consultation.
Recovery Timelines — Per Procedure
| Milestone | UroLift | Rezum | TURP | HoLEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leave clinic | Same day | Same day | 1–2 nights | 1–2 nights |
| Catheter removal | Day 0–1 | Day 2–3 | Day 5–7 | Day 1–2 |
| Pink urine resolves | Day 2–3 | Day 3–5 | Day 5–10 | Day 3–5 |
| Urgency / frequency peak | Day 1–7 | Day 7–21 | Day 1–10 | Day 1–7 |
| Urgency / frequency resolved | Week 3–4 | Week 6–8 | Week 3–4 | Week 3–4 |
| Short-haul flight | Day 4–5 | Day 4–5 | Day 8–10 | Day 7–9 |
| Long-haul flight | Day 6–7 | Day 6–8 | Day 10–14 | Day 10–14 |
| Return to desk work | Day 2–3 | Day 2–3 | Week 2 | Week 2 |
| Return to physical activity | Week 2 | Week 2 | Week 4 | Week 4 |
| Assess IPSS response | Month 3 | Month 3–6 | Month 2–3 | Month 2–3 |
IPSS Self-Check
The IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) is the validated tool Dr. Kwon uses to grade BPH severity and track recovery. Score your symptoms before consultation. Send the total to Dr. Kwon with your TRUS prostate volume for a preliminary recommendation within 24 hours.
| IPSS Score | BPH Severity | MenPower First-Line | Ejaculation Impact? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–7 | Mild | Watchful waiting + lifestyle | None |
| 8–19 | Moderate | Alpha-blocker medication trial → UroLift / Rezum | Preserved |
| 20–35 | Severe | UroLift (≤80mL) / TURP or HoLEP (>80mL) | Depends on procedure |
| Post-treatment 3-month retest | Goal: IPSS < 8 | Dr. Kwon reviews at 3-month video | Response confirmed |
TRUS (trans-rectal ultrasound) is the standard measurement tool used at MenPower. If you have had a recent PSA test or ultrasound at home, send the report via WhatsApp. If not, TRUS is performed on arrival day at MenPower within 30 minutes.
| Side Effect | UroLift | Rezum | TURP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dysuria (burning urination) | ~40% | ~60% | ~50% |
| Haematuria (bloody urine) | ~30% | ~40% | ~80% |
| Retrograde ejaculation | 0% | ~8% | ~65% |
| Urinary retention (temporary) | ~5% | ~8% | ~3% |
| UTI post-procedure | ~3% | ~4% | ~5% |
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