"Enlarged Prostate HoLEP Procedure"

I was referred to Whiston Hospital from Salford Royal Hospital for treatment on my enlarged prostate (125cc) because they were unable to operate on one so large, and they impressed me with the reputation your consultants have in this field, so I was pleased to accept.

I hadn't heard of the hospital before but was very impressed when admitted onto Ward4A by how ultra modern and spotlessly clean it was and the genuine friendly atmosphere given off by the nurses.

Over the next few days my first impressions were proved right, nothing was too much trouble for the nurses, an example being when a confused gentleman was helped when a nurse used their own phone to contact his wife to give him re-assure him and settle him down.

I have a few medical complications so the choice of which anaesthetic to use was discussed by the well respected Consultant Anaesthetist and I settled for the spinal injection option together with an additional one due to the length of the operation. I was very happy with my choice, and after the injection felt no pain at all but was aware that the leading Consultant in this field, who impressed me with their professional skills worked away.

It worked fine for me but others may prefer the general anaesthetic where you fall into a blissful sleep completely unaware of anything until you awake when it's all over.

Back to the ward in no pain at all I was a little concerned about the first time I need a wee, I was amazed to feel no pain at all ..

.just like the old days used to be, the only difference being there was lots of blood, something I had been made aware of but still a little shocked. Writing this three days on ...there is still some blood but its getting clearer, but absolutely no pain at all, and the time between needing to go which is something else that concerned me is in hours, incredible.

I was discharged after three days, carried my own case out and am home now feeling a bit of a fraud with the wife insisting on fretting over me, but with no need, given the option I would be out shopping but for her sake am taking it easy.

I know this will probably be edited out but I do hope you can make an exception as we get loads of negative press about the NHS with little praise coming the other way.

You have two consultants you can feel truly proud of for being up there with the best in their fields and who I would like to thank

Leading Consultant who was full of enthusiasm and endless energy, really impressed me and the person who helped make it all bearable the brilliant anaesthetist Consultant who explained every step of the way what to expect... what a team well deserving of all my thanks ..well done