Retired Engineer's Life Revolutionised by Robot-Assisted Prostate Surgery
A father whose daily life was dominated by the need to urinate up to 18 times a day has hailed a groundbreaking robot-assisted surgical procedure as a transformative improvement. Mark Oliver, a 67-year-old retired electrical engineer from Long Hanborough in West Oxfordshire, endured years of debilitating symptoms due to an enlarged prostate before undergoing the innovative aquablation therapy.
Years of Struggle with Debilitating Symptoms
Mr Oliver first noticed signs of an enlarged prostate around 2016, when he was 57 years old. Initially, this led to interrupted sleep, requiring him to get up multiple times during the night to use the toilet. Within two years, his bladder control deteriorated significantly, prompting a visit to his doctor. While initial tests appeared normal, further investigations revealed his prostate had grown to "the size of an orange" – far larger than the typical walnut-sized organ.
The condition caused regular, involuntary bladder leakage, forcing Mr Oliver to wear incontinence pads. He was prescribed medication called tamsulosin, which provided only minimal relief by relaxing muscles around the prostate. At its peak, he was using the toilet "a dozen times" during the day and up to "six times a night", resulting in "pretty sad nights waking up tired and irritable."
Mental and Social Toll of the Condition
The constant struggle took a severe toll on his mental well-being and social interactions. "When I explain to people how big the improvement is – if normal activity in going to the loo is 100%, I was down to having probably 10% control," Mr Oliver told PA Real Life. He recalled embarrassing incidents, such as being "absolutely saturated" while playing golf and constantly searching for a bush, which prevented him from focusing on the game or his companions.
"It was bringing on a little bit of depression and anxiety because it was in the forefront of my mind all the time," he explained. "It made me go into a shell and not socialise." Public outings became a logistical nightmare, with Mr Oliver planning his days around toilet access and even carrying a master key for disabled facilities. Before identifying coffee and tea as triggers, he frequently interrupted work meetings to use the lavatory, feeling "people looking" at him each time he stood up.
Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
His initial fears in 2016 centred on prostate cancer, as his father had been diagnosed with the condition in his mid-70s. However, extensive investigations over the years, including blood tests, urine flow tests, kidney tests, abdomen MRI scans, and neurology appointments, all returned normal results. He was ultimately diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in men over 50 that does not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
In 2021, at age 62, Mr Oliver's doctor suggested a transurethral resection of the prostate (Turp) procedure, but it carried risks of side effects like erectile dysfunction and worsening incontinence. Despite this, he found "light at the end of the tunnel" and joined a waiting list. By November 2024, still waiting, he received a call offering an alternative: aquablation therapy.
Undergoing Aquablation Therapy
This minimally invasive procedure uses a high-pressure water jet to remove excess prostate tissue, guided by a robot. It is becoming increasingly available across the UK, offered in 13 NHS hospitals and nine Nuffield Health facilities. As an NHS patient, Mr Oliver received the treatment free of charge at The Manor Hospital in Oxford, a Nuffield Health hospital.
Though "a little bit apprehensive," he proceeded with the two-hour procedure three weeks later. Admitted under general anaesthetic, Mr Oliver described the removal of his catheter 24 hours post-surgery as the "most painful" part, though it lasted only "a minute or two." He praised the "incredible" care he received during his stay.
Remarkable Recovery and Renewed Confidence
Recovery was "painful, but not intolerable," with no significant improvement for the first six weeks. However, within a year, his condition "significantly improved." He now uses the toilet "two or three times at the most" during a normal day, a dramatic reduction from the previous 18 times. He still exercises caution with liquid intake, avoiding drinks after 7 pm and monitoring caffeine and alcohol, and continues to wear level one or two incontinence pads as a "psychological" precaution.
The most profound change has been his renewed confidence. Last week, he socialised with friends, an activity he would have avoided before the aquablation. Mr Oliver believes it is crucial for men to be open about their health issues and to get checked if they experience symptoms. "Men of my generation, we keep our personal stuff to ourselves and it can have severe consequences," he urged. "So I think the more you can open up and talk about it, the more likely it is that more people’s lives will be saved."
