Patient Information

If you decide to choose the Sonablate HIFU procedure you will receive pre-operative instructions from your personal HIFU physician or an International HIFU nurse. You should follow those instructions, the following is only a short summary of what to expect during a typical procedure.
Download a patient brochure.

Before the Sonablate HIFU Treatment

 
Supplies to bring.

• Two Fleet enemas (must be packed in checked luggage due to air travel fluid restrictions)
• One pair of anti-embolic, thigh-high stockings. 
•  A couple of adult diapers may be helpful for your flight home. Some patients have reported leaking around their catheter site or from their penis after HIFU. 
• Loose fitting pants and boxers are recommended to wear to and from the treatment facility.  At discharge the urine drainage bag will be strapped to your thigh. Pants that are larger in the thigh area hide the urine collection bag.  You will want to wear items like this on the trip home.
• Your companion should bring reading material or computer if desired.  Wi-Fi is available at most of the treatment centers. Dressing in layers is recommended for companions since there can be waiting areas which are both cool and warm at times.

Diet Restrictions. The day before your procedure, you can only have clear liquids, such as, Jell-O, broth, tea, juice, coffee (no creamer or milk) and water.  Anything that light shines through, you may drink.  Please do not limit your quantity of fluid intake. It is preferable for you to be well hydrated prior to the start of the procedure. Most recommended hotels have a coffeemaker that you can use to prepare your bouillon cubes.  Some recommended hotels offer a clear liquid or Sonablate HIFU diet on their menus. It is advised to abstain from alcohol or carbonated beverages the day prior to your procedure. Alcohol consumption is not advised for the day of treatment. You should have nothing by mouth after midnight the night before your procedure or the morning of your procedure.

Pre-HIFU Meeting with International HIFU personnel. There is a group meeting with other patients and travel companions the evening prior to your treatment.  This meeting is not intended to answer specific questions about your medical condition.  These questions should be addressed with your HIFU physician prior to your arrival.

Light Exercise. Light exercise (e.g. walking) is recommended prior to treatment, especially for those patients that have traveled extended distances. Most recommended hotels have exercise facilities and sufficiently large campuses where patients can exercise. Air travel can be a contributing factor to slowing of the blood flow which may lead to blood clots forming in your legs. You will not be as active on treatment day, so please make an effort to exercise prior to treatment.

Sonablate HIFU Treatment Day

Before leaving for the treatment facility do not eat or drink after midnight the night prior to or morning of your procedure morning of your procedure. Any medications you are directed to take prior to your procedure, take with only a minimum amount of water. You will also need to administer your 2 enemas starting 2 hours before your scheduled pickup.  You may use an additional enema (warm, soapy water*) until there is no stool coming out.

Your HIFU representative will tell you what time to meet the driver during the meeting the night prior to your procedure. Don’t forget to bring your anti-embolic stockings, denture cup if needed and contact lens cup with you to the treatment center. When you arrive at the treatment center, you will be met by a HIFU representative.  You will then be registered and local personnel will start to prepare you for the treatment. 

Your companion will be updated by a HIFU team member informing them of your status during the treatment.

The HIFU procedure typically lasts between 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the prostate, and is done under general or local anesthesia and an epidural. During the procedure a suprapubic catheter will be put into place to help with urination.

After the HIFU treatment you will be in recovery for about 2-4 hours. Once you’re released from the treatment facility the driver will be waiting to pick you up and take you back to your hotel. Though it is recommended for you to take things easy, most patients feel well enough to go out for dinner and walk around the night of the procedure. The day after the procedure you are free to travel back home, though some patients choose to stay a few days to relax.

* Patients being treated in Canada will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the treatment facility.