Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) for Benign Prostate Disease in Grand Rapids, MI

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common surgical procedure used to remove part of the prostate gland. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, TURP is one of the most frequently performed operations for men with benign (non‑cancerous) prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Men in Grand Rapids may have TURP at major hospitals and urology centers, including Spectrum Health (Corewell Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as independent urology practices throughout Kent County.

Understanding the Prostate and BPH

The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The prostate helps produce semen.

As men age—especially in Michigan where the population is aging—this gland often becomes enlarged. When the inner part of the prostate grows, it can squeeze the urethra and block urine flow. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not prostate cancer, but both conditions can occur in the same gland.

Common Urinary Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

If the enlarged prostate obstructs the urethra, it can irritate the bladder and cause urinary symptoms such as:

  • Trouble starting urination
  • Weak or interrupted urine stream
  • Needing to strain to urinate
  • Feeling that the bladder does not empty completely
  • Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
  • Sudden, strong urge to urinate (urgency)
  • Leaking urine after finishing (dribbling)

Around one in three men over age 50 experience some urinary symptoms. In Grand Rapids and the broader Michigan region, many of these men are evaluated by primary care physicians and urologists at local health systems and clinics.

While BPH is a leading cause of these problems, other conditions (such as infection, overactive bladder, or prostate cancer) can cause similar symptoms. A proper evaluation by a urologist in Grand Rapids is essential.

What Is TURP?

TURP is sometimes informally called a “rebore.” It is performed through the urethra—no external incision is needed.

How TURP Is Done

  • A slender instrument (resectoscope) is inserted through the urethra into the prostate.
  • Using an electrical loop or similar device, the surgeon shaves away and removes small pieces of prostate tissue.
  • Only the middle part of the prostate is removed, which opens the urinary channel and relieves the blockage.

TURP is most often used for non‑cancerous enlargement (BPH), but in some cases it may be done to relieve blockage in men with prostate cancer.

In Grand Rapids hospitals, TURP is typically performed under general or spinal anesthesia by a urologist. It remains the most common form of surgery for BPH (around 95% of surgical procedures for enlarged prostate).

Benefits of TURP

For many men in Grand Rapids with moderate to severe urinary symptoms, TURP can:

  • Improve urine flow
  • Reduce or eliminate nighttime urination
  • Decrease urgency and frequency
  • Reduce the need for long‑term medications for BPH

Most men notice significant improvement in symptoms within weeks after the procedure.

Hospital Stay and Recovery in Grand Rapids

The average hospital stay for TURP in Grand Rapids is about 3–4 days, depending on your overall health and how quickly you recover.

Immediately after surgery:

  • Nurses will monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level).
  • You may receive oxygen for up to 24 hours.
  • You will likely be given antibiotics to help prevent infection.
  • A catheter (a thin tube) will be placed in your urethra and bladder, often with a continuous bladder irrigation (wash‑out) to prevent blood clots from blocking urine flow.

If you undergo an open prostatectomy instead of TURP (for a very large prostate), you will have an abdominal incision with a dressing and a drainage tube. The tube is typically removed after several days. The average hospital stay for open surgery is 7–10 days.

Pain after TURP is usually mild and managed with tablets or injections. Severe pain is uncommon.

Common Side Effects of TURP

While TURP is generally safe and effective, it can cause side effects. It is important to discuss these with your Grand Rapids urologist before deciding on surgery.

Very Common Side Effect: Retrograde Ejaculation

  • Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen goes backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis during orgasm.
  • Most men after TURP can still have erections and orgasms, but may notice little or no fluid coming out.
  • This is not harmful, but it can lead to infertility, as semen does not exit the body for natural conception.

In some cases, sperm can be collected from the urine and used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help achieve pregnancy. Fertility specialists in West Michigan, often affiliated with major health systems, can assist with this.

Other Common Effects

  • Bleeding after the operation – urine may appear pink or red for up to about 4 weeks. This usually decreases over time.
  • Temporary urinary urgency or frequency – as the bladder adjusts after the blockage is removed.

Less Common but Important Risks and Complications

Less common side effects and complications of TURP include:

Persistent Urinary Symptoms

Sometimes, even after the blockage is cleared:

  • Urinary symptoms may not fully improve.
  • Bladder irritability may continue.
  • You may still have difficulty fully emptying your bladder.
  • Nocturia (waking more than twice at night to urinate) may persist.

This can be due to long‑standing bladder changes that do not completely reverse after surgery.

Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

  • Some men have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection after TURP.
  • This is more likely if you had erectile problems before surgery.
  • Medications and other treatments may help; local urologists and men’s health clinics in Grand Rapids frequently manage this issue.

Urethral Strictures

  • Scar tissue can form in or around the urethra, causing new blockage to urine flow.
  • Strictures may need to be stretched (dilated) or treated with additional surgery.

Urinary Incontinence

  • Some men may have trouble controlling urine flow after surgery.
  • This may be due to bladder problems or, less commonly, damage to the sphincter muscle.
  • Pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, and sometimes medication or further procedures may be recommended.

Infertility

  • Retrograde ejaculation can result in infertility, since semen mixes with urine and does not exit as ejaculate.
  • Men in Grand Rapids who wish to father children after TURP can discuss sperm banking or fertility options with a urologist or fertility specialist before surgery.

Other Surgical Risks

As with any surgery, there are additional risks:

  • Reaction to anesthesia
  • Significant bleeding (rare, but sometimes requires transfusion)
  • Infection of the urinary tract or surgical site

These risks are generally low when the procedure is performed at experienced centers in Grand Rapids.

Alternative Surgical Procedures to TURP in Grand Rapids

Depending on your prostate size, overall health, medications (such as blood thinners), and personal preferences, your urologist may recommend alternatives to standard TURP.

Open Enucleative Prostatectomy

  • Involves a surgical cut in the lower abdomen to remove a very enlarged prostate.
  • Usually reserved for very large glands that are not suitable for TURP.
  • Average hospital stay: 7–10 days.
  • Performed at major hospitals with urologic surgery services, such as Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Laser TURP (Laser Prostate Surgery)

  • A laser is used to remove or vaporize prostate tissue from the middle part of the gland.
  • Advantages: less bleeding, often safer for men who must stay on blood thinners (for heart stents, heart valve disease, vascular disease, etc.).
  • Recovery may be quicker in some cases.

Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)

  • Similar to TURP, but no prostate tissue is removed.
  • One to three small cuts are made in the prostate near the bladder neck to release the ring of tissue and widen the urinary channel.
  • Often used for smaller prostates with obstruction.

UroLift® System

  • Often recommended for men whose medications are not working well but whose prostates are not large enough to require TURP.
  • Small implants (staples) are placed through the urethra to pull the enlarged prostate lobes away from the urethra, opening the channel.
  • Typically preserves ejaculatory and erectile function.
  • Minimal downtime and usually fewer side effects.

These options are increasingly available at urology practices and hospitals throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Immediately After TURP or Prostate Surgery

In the hospital, you can expect:

  • Monitoring of vital signs and urine output.
  • Catheter care: a urinary catheter will remain in place for a day or more to drain urine and prevent clot blockage.
  • Bladder irrigation: continuous fluid may run through the catheter to keep the bladder clear of blood clots.
  • Pain control: usually mild to moderate, managed with medications.
  • Antibiotics: to help prevent infection.

If you had an open prostatectomy:

  • Your incision will be covered with a dressing.
  • A drain from your abdomen will remove extra fluid; it is usually removed after a few days.
  • You will be encouraged to walk as soon as it is safe to reduce the risk of blood clots and lung complications.

Self‑Care at Home After TURP in Grand Rapids

Once you go home—whether you live in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Rockford, or surrounding communities—good self‑care helps your recovery.

General Recovery Tips

  • Rest: Get plenty of rest, especially during the first week.
  • Fluids: Drink plenty of water (unless your doctor advises otherwise). This helps flush the bladder.
  • Expect some blood: Your urine may be slightly blood‑tinged for up to about a month. Even a small amount of blood can make urine appear quite red. If bleeding becomes heavy or you pass large clots, contact your doctor or go to a local emergency department.

Medications and Bleeding Risk

  • Do not restart blood‑thinning medications (such as warfarin, clopidogrel, some newer anticoagulants) or non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until your doctor says it is safe.
  • Follow all instructions from your Grand Rapids surgeon or primary care doctor regarding medications.

Bowel Care

  • Avoid straining when having a bowel movement.
  • Use stool softeners or fiber supplements if recommended to prevent constipation.

Activity and Lifting

  • Avoid heavy lifting, shoveling snow, yard work, or strenuous exercise for 4–6 weeks. This is especially important in Michigan winters, when snow shoveling can put extra strain on your body.
  • You can usually start light walking and short car rides after the first week, as advised by your doctor.
  • Ask your urologist when you can safely return to work, driving, and sexual activity.

Catheter Care at Home

If you are discharged with a catheter:

  • Clean the catheter and drainage bag as shown by hospital staff.
  • Wash your hands before and after handling the catheter.
  • Keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder.
  • Watch for signs of infection (fever, chills, cloudy or foul‑smelling urine).

Follow‑Up Appointments

  • If you had an open prostatectomy, you will usually need to see your doctor within 7–10 days to have stitches or staples removed.
  • Even after TURP, follow‑up visits with your urologist in Grand Rapids are important to monitor healing and symptom improvement.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Contact your doctor, call your urology office, or go to the nearest emergency department (such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) immediately if you experience:

  • Inability to pass urine
  • Heavy bleeding or large blood clots in your urine
  • Fever, chills, or feeling very unwell
  • Increasing redness, swelling (including swelling of the testicles), or discharge around any incision
  • Severe pain that is not relieved by prescribed medications

Quick treatment can prevent serious complications.

Non‑Surgical Treatment Options for Benign Prostate Disease

Not every man with BPH in Grand Rapids needs surgery. Other treatment options include:

  • Watchful waiting (monitoring symptoms)

    • Appropriate for mild symptoms.
    • Regular check‑ups with your doctor to track changes.

  • Medications

    • Alpha‑blockers to relax prostate and bladder muscles.
    • 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors to shrink the prostate over time.
    • These may delay or sometimes avoid the need for surgery.

Your Grand Rapids primary care physician or urologist will help decide which approach is best based on your symptoms, prostate size, overall health, and preferences.

Local Resources for Prostate and Men’s Health in Grand Rapids

Men in Grand Rapids and West Michigan can access prostate and urinary care through:

  • Primary Care Providers – Family medicine and internal medicine clinics across Kent County.
  • Urologists – Specialists at Spectrum Health/Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health, and independent urology groups.
  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health – Information on men’s health, screenings, and local resources.

For cancer‑related concerns or support, organizations such as the American Cancer Society and local cancer centers in Grand Rapids provide education, support groups, and navigation services.

Key Points About TURP in Grand Rapids, MI

  • TURP is a common and effective surgical option for relieving symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH) and other benign prostate problems.
  • It is by far the most frequently used surgical procedure for benign prostate disease.
  • An enlarged prostate can cause urinary symptoms such as weak stream, frequent urination (especially at night), and difficulty starting or stopping urination.
  • Around one in three men over 50 experience urinary symptoms; many are due to BPH but other causes must be ruled out.
  • TURP and its alternatives are widely available at major hospitals and urology practices throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
  • Discuss the benefits, risks, side effects, and alternatives with a local urologist to choose the treatment that best fits your health, lifestyle, and goals.