Greenlight Laser Treatment For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Abroad

International Destinations: India and Mexico

Prostate enlargement can cause a variety of urinary problems and decrease the quality of life. If you are suffering from this, then Greenlight Laser Treatment For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Abroad can help you ease off these symptoms.

Video Courtesy: DrKevinZorn

Cost of Greenlight Laser for BPH Abroad

The green light laser prostate surgery cost in the USA can be traumatizing. Due to this, people usually look for cheaper options for greenlight laser treatment for BPH abroad.

Mexico and India offer cheap greenlight laser treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia. Here, you can get discounted treatment. So, you do not just save money, but you get to spend time in exotic tourist destinations as well.

Also, the cost in these countries is far less than the green light laser prostate surgery cost the UK, Canada, or Australia. 

What is BPH?

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is the non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland. It is also called prostate enlargement and is prevalent in older men and includes various symptoms like^[1]Mayo Clinic Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) …The severity of symptoms in people…” View in Article:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Frequent urges to urinate, especially at night (nocturia)
• Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
• Inability to completely empty the bladder
• Dribbling at the end of urination

If left untreated, BPH can cause severe problems like kidney stones, acute urine retention which can ultimately lead to renal failure. ^[2]Pubmed Benign prostatic hyperplasia …Observational studies have demonstrated…48 months and 5% developing acute retention in the 48 month period…” View in Article

How Greenlight Therapy treats BPH?

The treatment for Greenlight laser in benign prostatic hyperplasia involves high powered (80-120 watts) laser beam therapy.

This beam evaporates the enlarged prostatic tissue that presses on the outlet of the urinary bladder causing urinary outflow obstruction symptoms.

The procedure is also referred to as Laser Ablation of the prostate or Photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) or photo vaporization of the prostate.

Greenlight Laser vs TURP

TURP

TURP may be considered as the gold standard treatment for BPH, however, it has many side-effects^[3]Plos One Journal 5-year long-term efficacy of 120-W GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia …TURP is associated with potential risks, including postoperative bleeding requiring transfusions…” View in Article. These include:

• Postoperative bleeding requiring transfusions
• Prolonged urethral Foley catheter indwelling
• Transurethral syndrome

Benefits of Greenlight Laser Therapy over TURP

• Greenlight laser therapy, although works similar to TURP, but has a greater efficacy and fewer side- effects, complications, and risks.^[4]Plos One Journal 5-year long-term efficacy of 120-W GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia …most of the cases could be managed conservatively, and the rate of urethral catheter re-indwelling and transfusion were very low (0–2%)…” View in Article
• As per several studies, GreenLight Laser treatment can be used with equal effectiveness among patients on anti-coagulation drugs.
• Considerable reduction in intraoperative and postoperative bleeding due to high-powered laser
• Less requirement of postoperative catheterization
• As it is minimally invasive, the patient to resume low-stress activity within a couple of days and rigorous activity within two to three weeks
• This procedure almost instantaneously alleviates the symptoms of the patient

Several American patients prefer to travel abroad to get treated for Benign prostatic enlargement due to the advantage of cost and no post-operative hospitalization stay.

Greenlight Laser Procedure for BPH Abroad

Greenlight laser treatment is a minimally-invasive technique that works on an outpatient basis and may take an hour or so. Even if post-operative hospitalization stay is required, it is rarely beyond 24 hours.

• You will receive general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia with sedation.
• During the process, the urologist uses a cystoscope to manipulate the movement of a micro-thin optic fiber into the patient’s urethra
• Equipment called the GreenLight HPS and GreenLight PV surgical laser system delivers green wavelength laser light pulses to the enlarged prostatic tissue

Preparing for the Green Light Laser Treatment

• A thorough medical examination of the patient is conducted, including a rectal examination to assess the size of the prostatic enlargement
• Various investigations are conducted which include, the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound along a cystometrogram to evaluate bladder capacity.
• The patient is screened for the possibility of prostatic cancer, as the GreenLight laser treatment fails to provide samples for pathological evaluation
• Some patients may be requested to stop anticoagulants prior to the procedure. Concurrently, oral antibiotics may be started prior to the procedure to provide cover for infections.
• On arrival at the hospital, the patient is given a preoperative enema

Post-procedure Care

• You can take painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen (Aleve) to relieve post-operative pain, but it is best that you consult your doctor if you are experiencing unbearable pain.
• Avoid tobacco, caffeine, aerated drinks, alcohol, and spicy food for the first few days after the procedure as these substances tend to make the urine acidic and aggravate dysuria (pain on urination).
• Bowel movement will be irregular for the first couple of weeks after the surgery and hence patients are encouraged to take laxatives.
• Avoid straining at stools as it may cause bleeding

Who is not an Ideal Candidate for Greenlight Laser for BPH?

Although Greenlight laser for BPH is a minimally invasive procedure, however, it is not recommended for some patients.

Patients who are not suitable to undergo this procedure are:

• Patients having a prostate gland volume of more than 250 cubic centimeters. In such cases, it is best treated using an open surgical procedure
• People suffering from neurogenic bladder disorders. As an alternative, they can be treated with a photoselective vaporization technique.

Side Effects of GreenLight Laser Treatment

Though the post-operative complications following GreenLight Laser Treatment are considerably lower than other conventional techniques, there is a rare possibility of developing complications such as strictures due to scarring, retrograde ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction.

Locations for Greenlight Laser Treatment for BPH Abroad

Greenlight Laser Treatment for BPH in Mexico

Mexico adjoins the southern border of the USA. The proximity of the country makes it an ideal medical tourism destination for Americans and Canadians. Our partner hospital is located in Mexicali, a border city in Mexico.

The price for greenlighting laser therapy for BPH in Mexico begins at $9,000 USD*. Some reasons why you should choose Mexico for your treatment are:

• 17+ years treating patients with different disease types
• Regulated & licensed under the Mexican Department of Health
• English speaking staff
• Private ground transportation from San Diego, CA Yuma, AZ, and/or Palm Springs, CA included in your quote.
• Accommodation assistance
• A 5-minute drive from the USA-Mexico border

Urologist in Mexicali

Dr. Ismael Avila Íñiguez

About Dr. Ismael Avila Íñiguez:

• Graduated from Medical Faculty of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in General Surgery.
• Specialized in Urology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 1991
• Became certified by the Medical Council of General Surgeons in 1988 and Medical Council of Urologists in 1991.
• Has received many awards and considerations for his work
• Has performed over 3,000 urological and oncological surgeries
• Regularly attends meetings held by the American Urological Association

*Please contact our case managers for an exact quote.

Greenlight Laser Treatment for BPH in India

If you are looking for affordable treatment away from your home, then India has to be on your list. You can find treatment options in major cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, etc here in India. Here, the prices begin at USD 7,000*.

Reasons, why you should book your Greenlight therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia in India with us, are many. Some of them are:

• JCI-Accredited
• Single point of contact
• Assistance in airport pick-up & drop – our representative will meet you at the airport
• Guesthouse assistance
• Sim card
• Appointments in hospitals
• Assistance in currency exchange
• Assistance in admission, billing, discharge
• Assistance in getting medicine post-discharge from hospital
• Physiotherapy at hotel
• Arrangements for follow up consults

*Please contact our case managers for an exact quote.

Greenlight Laser Treatment for BPH in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular medical tourist destination in Central America.

Currently, we do not provide greenlight laser treatment for BPH in Costa Rica. Please contact our case managers for available options.

References:

1. Mayo Clinic: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
2. Pubmed: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
3. Plos One Journal: 5-year long-term efficacy of 120-W GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia