It was a
visit to hospital for treatment to an eye condition that convinced 67-year-old Birmingham
businessman Robin Whitehouse he had a problem in a totally different part of
his body.
After the
hospital visit Robin was asked to give a urine sample as part of a routine set
of tests before he was allowed home and, in his own words, he “just couldn’t
come up with the goods!”
He was
suffering from an enlarged prostate that was blocking his bladder and
preventing him passing urine properly.
It was
something that had affected him for almost 12 years but, like the vast majority
of men over 50 who suffer from similar symptoms, Robin chose to ignore it.
Now, after
an operation using cutting-edge technology Robin, who founded the international
fasteners company Heads and All Threads, is urging other men in a similar
situation to “get yourselves checked out.”
“I knew that
something was wrong,” he explained. “But, like many men of my age, I just
ignored the symptoms.
“Once I had
been diagnosed and operated on I was out and about the following day wondering
what all the fuss was about – I should have had it done years ago.”
The
operation was carried out at BMI Priory by Consultant Urologist Mr Zaki
Almallah who performed Green Light Laser surgery on Robin, who was covered by
private medical insurance.
An
alternative to the usual way or treating such problems, the Green Light Laser
is minimally invasive and means patients can usually go home after a one night
stay in hospital or, in some cases, the very same day. Mr Almallah explained: “The
green colour of the laser is rapidly absorbed by the red pigment found in blood
and the rapid absorption of this green light causes the prostate tissue to
vaporise and so it is possible to remove obstructing tissue to allow easier
passage of urine.
Private hospital news : 28 January 2012
