UroLift: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides UroLift?
A urologist, a doctor who treats problems of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system, provides UroLift. UroLift is a treatment for symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
UroLift is a medical device that treats symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It has two parts, a delivery device and an implant. The implant is permanent.
The prostate is a gland below the bladder. An enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside of the body.
A prostatic urethral lift uses tiny implants to lift and hold the prostate away from the urethra so urine can flow more freely. It is one of the minimally invasive surgical therapies for BPH.
Why a doctor might recommend it
An enlarged prostate can make it hard to urinate. A health care professional may recommend a medical procedure or device to relieve BPH symptoms. These minimally invasive procedures remove enlarged prostate tissue or widen the urethra so urine flows more easily.
As a group, these procedures may be recommended in these cases.
- You cannot completely empty your bladder.
- You have repeat urinary tract infections.
- You have bleeding from your prostate.
- Medicines did not help your symptoms, or they caused side effects.
How to prepare
As a group, these procedures may call for the following steps.
- If you smoke, stopping several weeks before the procedure. Your provider or nurse can help.
- Telling your surgeon or nurse about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.
- Asking your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of the procedure.
What happens during it
These procedures are often done in your surgeon's office or at a surgery center. They are done by passing an instrument through the opening of the penis. You will be given general anesthesia, spinal or epidural anesthesia, or local anesthesia and sedation.
The doctor places the delivery device in the urethra and watches through a scope. It pushes the urethra toward the outer wall of the prostate. An implant is then placed through the prostate tissue. The implants hold the urethra open, which helps urine flow.
Recovery
As a group, most people go home the day of the procedure or the day after. You may still have a catheter in your bladder when you leave. A catheter placed in your bladder helps drain urine.
You may have these problems for a while after the procedure.
- Blood in your urine.
- Burning with urination.
- Needing to urinate more often.
Tell a health care professional right away if you cannot urinate at all.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you or someone else has trouble breathing, a change in mental status such as confusion or difficulty arousing, fainting or loss of consciousness, or bleeding that will not stop. Also call 911 for chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more.
Risks and side effects
Any surgery has risks, including the following.
- Infection.
- Reactions to medicines.
As a group, these procedures list these other risks.
- Erection problems.
- Passing semen back into your bladder instead of out through the urethra.
- Problems with urine control.
- Urethral stricture, which is a tightening of the urinary outlet from scar tissue.
- No improvement in symptoms.
Who performs it
A urologist performs UroLift.
Common questions
Is there a cut in the skin with UroLift?
No, the device is passed through the opening of the penis. Minimally invasive prostate procedures as a group have no cut in the skin.
Will I need more treatment later?
Some people do. Minimally invasive prostate procedures as a group have a higher chance of needing a second surgery in 5 to 10 years than transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. Some of these less invasive surgeries may cause fewer problems with controlling your urine or ability to have sex than TURP.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
- MedlinePlus - Prostate resection - minimally invasive
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration - NeoTract UroLift System De Novo Summary
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
