A Guide to Aquablation Therapy: Minimally Invasive Prostate Care at Baylor Scott & White Fort Worth
Considering treatment for an enlarged prostate can feel overwhelming, and it’s completely understandable to have questions about what’s safe, effective, and right for you. Many people start with watchful waiting or medication and then consider procedures if symptoms persist. One option your urologist may discuss is Aquablation Therapy: an image-guided, minimally invasive approach that uses a heat-free waterjet to remove the prostate tissue that blocks urine flow. If you live in or near Fort Worth, you can learn about appointments, logistics, and the care setting on Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital’s page.
How Aquablation Works
Aquablation is designed to clear the obstruction while aiming to protect essential structures that support bladder control and sexual function. In simple terms, your surgeon uses a real-time ultrasound to see the entire prostate from the outside and a tiny camera in the urethra to see from the inside. With both views, the team creates a personalized map of exactly where tissue needs to be removed. A robotic system then delivers a precisely controlled, high-velocity waterjet to the mapped areas (without heat) while the surgeon remains in complete control of every step.
What Happens During the Procedure
The procedure is performed under anesthesia through the urethra, so there are no external incisions on the abdomen. Before starting, your care team reviews your medical history, current medications, and any imaging that shows the size and shape of your prostate. Many Aquablation procedures take about an hour, but timing depends on individual anatomy and clinical factors. Your team will guide you through the preparation process, outline what to expect on the day of treatment, and explain how your recovery will be supported.
Who Might Consider Aquablation
Not everyone with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) needs a procedure. Still, Aquablation may be considered for people with moderate to severe symptoms who have not found enough relief with medication or who prefer to address the blockage more directly. Factors such as prostate size, urinary symptom pattern, other health conditions, and personal goals all play a role. A urology consultation is the best way to determine whether Aquablation is a good fit for you.
Potential Benefits and Why Imaging Matters
Studies suggest that Aquablation can improve urinary symptom scores and urine flow in many patients, with results that have remained durable in the longer-term follow-up of the studied groups. Because the surgeon can see the entire prostate during planning and treatment, the approach is tailored to your anatomy. Some research also reports a lower rate of specific sexual side effects, such as changes in ejaculation, compared with some traditional procedures; however, every person’s situation is different, and your urologist can explain how published data may apply to you.
Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery plans are personalized, but there are common steps. Many patients are discharged home with a temporary catheter to help the bladder drain while the area heals, and then return for its removal. Light activity typically begins soon after the procedure and increases as comfort improves. You’ll receive clear instructions about hydration, activity limits, and when to contact the team, along with a follow-up plan to monitor your progress. Timelines vary from person to person, and your surgeon will tailor guidance to your needs.
How Aquablation Compares to Other Options
Aquablation is one of several methods for managing BPH. Other options include continued observation, medications, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), laser procedures, prostatic urethral lift, water vapor therapy, and more. Randomized studies comparing Aquablation with TURP have reported sustained symptom relief at five years and differences in side-effect profiles, including ejaculatory function in some patients. Your urologist can help you weigh the trade-offs among choices based on your prostate size, overall health, preferences, and goals for recovery.
Questions to Bring to Your Visit
If you’re preparing for a visit, it can help to jot down a few questions. You might ask how your prostate size and symptom pattern influence whether Aquablation is recommended, what benefits and risks are most likely for someone with your health history, how recovery (including time away from work and activity limits) compares with other procedures, and what follow-up support will be in place after treatment.
Getting Started at Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital Fort Worth
To learn more or take the next step in Fort Worth, contact one of our physicians. We are here to answer questions, explain options, and help you choose a path that aligns with your priorities.
Sources:
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital – Fort Worth. “Aquablation Therapy.”
American Urological Association. “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Guideline” (2021; amended 2023).
Cleveland Clinic Consult QD. “Aquablation therapy offers an alternative approach for BPH.”
Oumedjbeur K, et al. “Aquablation versus TURP: 5-year outcomes of the WATER randomized clinical trial (50–80 mL subgroup).” Canadian Journal of Urology (2023).
Gilling PJ, et al. “Five-year outcomes for Aquablation therapy compared to TURP.” PubMed (2022).