New Procedure Helps Men Who Have Enlarged Prostate

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There is a new procedure to help men who go to the bathroom several times a night.

CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez reports an enlarged prostate can usually be treated with medication, a catheter, or surgery, but now there's another option called Urolift.

"It's a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in the office with minimal anesthesia and almost within the next couple of days have symptom relief," said urologist Dr. Dean Tortorelis.

A thin probe is passed through the urethra into the prostate and then the doctor compresses the gland slightly. Then, the doctor places several tiny clips on both sides that keeps the urine channel open.

Bus driver Wayne Dalida said he felt so much better after getting the procedure.

"I can go home and go to bed," said Dalida. "I don't even have to think about getting up."

Dalida would be up five times a night and he planned places to go based on knowing where the bathrooms were.

"The family just thought, 'Boy, dad has to go to the bathroom a lot,'" said Dalida.

Tortorelis sees countless men with an enlarged prostate.

"When you're young, it's wide open. As you get older, it starts growing and causing an impingement and does not allow urine to flow down," said Tortorelis.

Like all medical procedures, there's a small risk of bleeding and infection, but it's done under local anesthesia and has far fewer sexual side effects than other prostate procedures.

It lasts at least three years and is covered by insurance.