Aquablation In Boulder, CO
Modern Urology Diagnoses and Treats the Full Spectrum of Male Urologic Conditions
What Makes Modern Urology the Best Choice for Urological Care
Advanced Urologic Care: Expert Treatment for Kidney, Bladder, and Prostate Conditions
Comprehensive Urological Care for Men and Women from Board-Certified Urologist Dr. Carolyn Fronczak
Taking control of your urinary health starts with finding a urologist who treats you as an individual, not a number. Dr. Carolyn Fronczak provides comprehensive urological services for patients of all genders at her independent private practice near Boulder and Denver.
What Is Aquablation Therapy? The Water-Based BPH Treatment Explained
Men’s urological health requires proactive care rather than passive monitoring, particularly when lower urinary tract symptoms begin affecting daily life. If you’re dealing with urinary frequency, hesitant or weak urine flow, incomplete bladder emptying, or nocturia that disrupts your sleep, these symptoms often point to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate. At Modern Urology in Weld County, Colorado, board-certified urologist Dr. Carolyn Fronczak provides comprehensive prostate evaluation and treatment using advanced diagnostic technology. Among the cutting-edge BPH therapies offered is Aquablation, a robotic waterjet ablation procedure that effectively treats prostate enlargement while protecting erectile function and ejaculatory function better than traditional surgical approaches.
Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate, medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition that affects the majority of men as they age.
How BPH Affects Urination
Most men with an enlarged prostate experience some degree of urinary difficulty, ranging from frequent urination to weak urine flow.
The prostate gland continues to grow throughout a man’s lifetime. A healthy prostate typically weighs between 30 and 40 grams, roughly comparable to a walnut in size.
It’s important to understand that benign prostatic growth and prostate cancer can occur simultaneously within the same gland. Having BPH does not prevent or cause cancer, but both conditions can be present at the same time.
As one experienced urologist put it, “Half of all men are already seeing a urologist, and the other half will need one eventually.“
Prostate enlargement can begin affecting men as young as 45.
Between the ages of 50 and 60, roughly half of all men will experience BPH symptoms.
By age 80, approximately 90% of men will have urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.
As the prostate expands, it can squeeze the urethra, the tube responsible for draining urine from the bladder. When this tube becomes constricted or compressed, urine struggles to flow properly (similar to a garden hose with a kink). The bladder compensates by working overtime to push urine out, but an overworked bladder isn’t a healthy one. With continued strain, the bladder gradually remodels into a thickened, weakened organ with diminished function; essentially, the bladder muscle exhausts itself.
BPH symptoms often include a weak urine stream, waking multiple times at night to urinate, dribbling after urination, frequent urges, sudden urgency, trouble initiating urination, straining during voiding, and the sensation that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied.
Don’t dismiss these warning signs. Over time, the bladder can weaken to the point where it loses the ability to expel urine completely. If the bladder can no longer contract effectively, a man may require a Foley catheter to drain urine, sometimes permanently. A bladder that fails to empty properly can also lead to kidney failure and potentially irreversible kidney damage.
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If you’re experiencing bothersome urinary symptoms, they could indicate urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate. However, these same symptoms might also stem from kidney stones, bladder infections, urethral stricture, overactive bladder, or even cancer.
Treatment of an Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate can be treated through prescription medications, in-office procedures, or surgery.
Medications for prostate obstruction include alpha blockers (such as tamsulosin) and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (such as finasteride). All prostate medications carry potential sexual side effects, which many patients find bothersome and unwanted.
In-office procedures have revolutionized how symptoms of an enlarged prostate are treated.
Surgical options include transurethral resection of the prostate and robotic simple prostatectomy.
New prostate treatments continue to emerge, and Dr. Fronczak is actively evaluating the latest technologies and innovations.
Nitrous sedation is available for all prostate procedures at Modern Urology.
Understanding Aquablation
Aquablation Therapy is a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted procedure that combines real-time ultrasound imaging with a precisely controlled waterjet to remove enlarged prostate tissue blocking urine flow. Because this advanced BPH treatment generates no heat, it protects the nerves and structures essential for maintaining sexual function and bladder control, a key advantage over conventional surgical options like TURP or laser prostatectomy.
What Sets This Apart:
Integrates simultaneous transrectal ultrasound with cystoscopic visualization for complete 3D prostate mapping
Robotic precision targets only diseased tissue
Incision-free procedure performed through the urethra
Personalized surgical mapping tailored to your anatomy
Designed to preserve sexual function
Who Qualifies for Aquablation Therapy?
Aquablation may be an excellent option for men experiencing moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by BPH, particularly those who are frustrated with medication or seeking a more durable treatment approach.
Aquablation Eligibility:
- Men with prostate sizes ranging from small to very large (25-150+ grams)
- Patients who want to preserve sexual function, including ejaculation
- Men seeking a minimally invasive option with reduced side effects
- Those who haven’t found relief through BPH medications alone
Step-by-Step Guide to the Aquablation Procedure for BPH Treatment
What to expect during the aquablation procedure:
1. Pre-Operative Imaging
Your urologist begins with advanced diagnostic imaging using transrectal ultrasound combined with high-definition cystoscopy. This creates a detailed real-time 3D visualization of your prostate anatomy, allowing for individualized surgical planning that pinpoints exactly which enlarged tissue requires removal.
2. Robotic Waterjet Tissue Removal
The AQUABEAM robotic system delivers a precisely controlled, heat-free waterjet to ablate obstructive prostate tissue. Because this water ablation technology generates no thermal energy, surrounding erectile nerves and urinary sphincter structures remain protected, significantly reducing risks to sexual function.
3. Incision-Free Approach
The entire procedure is performed transurethrally through your natural urinary channel. This means no surgical incisions, no external wounds, and no visible scarring, just a minimally invasive BPH treatment with faster healing.
4. Brief Hospital Stay
Aquablation typically takes under one hour of operative time. Most men require only an overnight observation at the hospital before discharge, returning home the following day to begin their recovery.
Key Benefits of Choosing Aquablation Therapy at Modern Urology
Dr. Carolyn Fronczak, a board-certified urologist near Boulder and Denver, takes a patient-first approach to treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. Men considering Aquablation receive comprehensive consultations covering all available BPH therapies, individualized treatment recommendations, and dedicated follow-up care from diagnosis through recovery.
Key Benefits of Aquablation:
- Robotic Accuracy: The AQUABEAM system uses high-velocity waterjet technology to eliminate obstructive prostate tissue with submillimeter precision
- Sexual Function Preservation: Research demonstrates substantially reduced risk of ejaculatory dysfunction and impotence compared to conventional resection techniques
- Treats Any Prostate Size: Effective for small, medium, and exceptionally large glands, including prostates exceeding 100cc, where alternatives like UroLift become unsuitable
- Minimal Complications: The majority of men report only short-term, manageable side effects with rare lasting issues
- No Thermal Energy: Cold water ablation protects adjacent structures including nerves, blood vessels, and reproductive anatomy from heat injury
- Non-Surgical Recovery: Zero incisions and no sutures translate to shorter hospital stays and quicker resumption of daily routines
- Live Ultrasound Guidance: Continuous imaging allows the surgeon to visualize and map the treatment zone in real time for maximum precision
Relief That Lets You Live Fully Again
Why Choose Modern Urology for Your Care?
At Modern Urology, effective BPH treatment extends far beyond the operating room. As an independent urology practice near Boulder, CO, we take a patient-centered approach to enlarged prostate care that prioritizes understanding over urgency. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Collaborative care from consultation through recovery
- Thorough evaluations with your board-certified urologist explaining every option
- In-office nitrous oxide sedation ensures comfort during minimally invasive procedures
- Prevention-focused treatment plans designed to address underlying causes
Our guiding principle: “Identify the root cause and work toward lasting prevention.” This philosophy drives everything we do, from advanced genomic testing that helps predict prostate cancer risk to cutting-edge water ablation therapy like Aquablation in Boulder, CO. Men dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia deserve both clinical expertise and genuine compassion, and that’s exactly what our 5-star rated practice delivers.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Patients Have To Say
Frequently Asked Questions About Aquablation
How long does the Aquablation procedure take?
The actual treatment typically takes under one hour. Most patients spend one night in the hospital for observation and return home the following day.
Will Aquablation affect my sexual function?
Clinical studies show Aquablation has significantly lower rates of ejaculatory dysfunction and erectile issues compared to traditional BPH surgeries like TURP. The heat-free waterjet technology protects the nerves responsible for sexual function.
Is Aquablation right for large prostates?
Yes. Unlike some BPH treatments that work only on smaller glands, Aquablation effectively treats prostates ranging from 25 grams to over 150 grams, making it suitable for men with exceptionally enlarged prostates.
What is recovery like after Aquablation?
Most men resume normal daily activities within a few days. You may have a temporary catheter and experience mild urinary symptoms during the first few weeks as your body heals.
How soon will I notice improvement in my symptoms?
Many patients report noticeable relief within weeks of the procedure. Full benefits typically develop over the first three months as healing completes.
Ready to Rebuild Your Confidence and Move Forward?
If you’re experiencing BPH symptoms and seeking a proven solution for enlarged prostate treatment, Aquablation offers precision that traditional procedures can’t match. At Modern Urology in Weld County, serving patients throughout the Denver-Boulder region—Dr. Carolyn Fronczak provides this water-based robotic therapy alongside comprehensive urologic care. As a board-certified urologist participating in clinical trials to advance prostate treatments, Dr. Fronczak guides each patient through personalized evaluation, the Aquablation procedure itself, and attentive post-operative recovery at our independent private practice.