Patient Success Stories
Real patient experiences. Real outcomes. Real confidence. Every story here represents a journey from pain, uncertainty, or anxiety — to recovery, clarity, and renewed quality of life.
From kidney stone pain to recovery
Kidney stone pain — renal colic — is frequently described by patients as the most intense pain they have ever experienced. For many, it strikes without warning in the middle of the night or during a normal workday, sending them to an emergency room in acute distress. This is the story of one such patient, and how a structured, minimally invasive approach turned a frightening episode into a complete, lasting recovery.
Rajesh S., 44 — Software Engineer, Powai
Rajesh had been experiencing occasional right flank discomfort for several months, which he attributed to long hours at his desk. When the pain suddenly became severe and radiated to his groin one evening, he was rushed to hospital. A CT scan revealed an 11 mm stone in the lower pole of his right kidney — too large to pass naturally, and in a position that made standard shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) less effective.
I was terrified. I had never had surgery before. Dr. Utture explained the RIRS procedure clearly — no cuts, a flexible camera through the natural urinary passage, and laser to break the stone. That explanation alone reduced my anxiety enormously.
- Day of procedureRIRS performed under general anaesthesia. Duration: 55 minutes. A ureteric stent placed to facilitate drainage.
- Day 1 post-opDischarged home. Mild discomfort from stent managed with oral analgesics. No significant pain.
- Day 4Returned to light desk work from home. Stent awareness present but well-tolerated.
- Day 14Ureteric stent removed in clinic — a 10-minute procedure. Immediate relief of stent-related symptoms.
- 4-week CT checkStone-free. Right kidney fully functional. Rajesh back to full gym routine.
Six weeks after the procedure I ran a 10K. I honestly couldn't believe how fast the recovery was. I wish I hadn't waited months before seeing a specialist.
Rajesh's outcome reflects the standard achievable with RIRS at Dr. Utture's Mumbai centre. Following his recovery, a 24-hour metabolic urine workup identified mild hyperoxaluria — a correctable dietary risk factor. With dietary modification and potassium citrate supplementation, his stone recurrence risk has been significantly reduced.
Life after laser prostate surgery
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate — is among the most common conditions affecting men over 60 in India. Many men live with progressively worsening urinary symptoms for years, assuming it is simply part of ageing, before seeking evaluation. When medications are insufficient or no longer desired, laser prostate surgery offers a highly effective, long-lasting solution.
Mohan K., 67 — Retired Banker, Bandra
Mohan had been on two BPH medications for four years with gradually declining effect. He was waking 4–5 times per night, had stopped travelling due to anxiety about bathroom access, and had experienced two acute urinary retention episodes requiring emergency catheterisation. His prostate had grown to 85 grams — significantly enlarged — making HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) the most appropriate procedure.
I was 67 and worried about surgery at my age. Dr. Utture explained that HoLEP is actually safer in larger prostates than traditional TURP, and that men in their 70s and 80s routinely undergo it. That was reassuring.
- Procedure dayHoLEP performed under spinal anaesthesia. Duration: 90 minutes. No blood transfusion required. Catheter inserted post-operatively.
- Day 2Catheter removed. Voided spontaneously with strong, continuous stream — described by Mohan as "like I was 40 again."
- Day 3Discharged home. All BPH medications discontinued permanently.
- Week 3Some mild stress leakage noted during heavy activity — expected post-HoLEP. Pelvic floor exercises commenced.
- Week 8Fully continent. Nocturia reduced to 0–1 times per night. Uroflowmetry: peak flow 22 ml/s (was 6 ml/s pre-op).
I took a train journey from Mumbai to Goa last month — first time in five years I could travel without planning my entire trip around bathroom stops. My quality of life has transformed.
Temporary mild urinary leakage after HoLEP is a normal and expected finding as the external sphincter adjusts to its new role following removal of prostatic tissue. It resolves in the vast majority of patients within 4–8 weeks with pelvic floor exercises. Patients are counselled about this before surgery so that it does not cause alarm during recovery.
How early diagnosis changed a patient's journey
The difference between detecting a urological cancer early versus late is not simply a matter of treatment complexity — it can be the difference between a curative outpatient procedure and a life-altering surgery, or between a full lifespan and a shortened one. This story illustrates precisely why routine screening and prompt investigation of subtle symptoms matter so profoundly.
Anjali P., 58 — Teacher, Thane
Anjali underwent a routine annual health check that included a urine dipstick test — something she had done every year for the past decade without incident. This year, the dipstick was positive for blood, though she had no symptoms whatsoever: no pain, no visible discolouration, no urinary complaints. Her physician referred her to Dr. Utture for evaluation of microscopic haematuria.
Urine cytology was atypical. Cystoscopy revealed a small (8 mm), low-grade papillary bladder tumour on the left posterior wall. A transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) was performed under spinal anaesthesia as a day-care procedure.
When Dr. Utture told me I had a bladder tumour I was in shock. I had absolutely no symptoms. But he also said we had found it at the earliest possible stage — and that the treatment was simple and the prognosis excellent. That distinction meant everything.
- Dipstick haematuria detectedRoutine annual health check — no symptoms. Referred to urology.
- Cystoscopy + TURBTDay-care procedure. 8 mm Ta low-grade urothelial carcinoma fully resected. Discharged same afternoon.
- Post-op intravesical therapySingle instillation of mitomycin C given immediately post-resection to reduce recurrence risk.
- 3-month surveillance cystoscopyBladder completely clear. No recurrence. Continued on 6-monthly cystoscopy surveillance schedule.
That routine urine test saved me from something far worse down the line. I now tell every woman I know — don't skip your annual health check, and make sure urine testing is included.
Anjali's case is a textbook example of the value of incidental haematuria workup. Had the dipstick not been included in her routine check, the tumour would likely have remained undetected until it produced visible symptoms — by which point it may have progressed to a muscle-invasive stage, requiring bladder removal. Early detection made a curative, organ-preserving procedure possible.
Understanding the patient experience
Beyond clinical outcomes, what shapes a patient's experience of urological care is the quality of communication, the clarity of information provided, and the sense of being truly heard and respected — particularly when dealing with sensitive, intimate health concerns. This section reflects on what patients at Dr. Utture's Mumbai clinic consistently highlight as meaningful in their care experience.
Vikram N., 52 — Business Owner, Andheri
Vikram had undergone robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for early prostate cancer at another centre 18 months prior. The cancer was cured, but he was left with persistent stress urinary incontinence — leaking urine with any physical exertion, sneezing, or sudden movement. Despite completing a full course of pelvic floor physiotherapy, he continued to use 3–4 pads per day. The impact on his professional and social confidence was profound.
Incontinence is not something men talk about. I felt isolated and embarrassed. When I finally saw Dr. Utture, he treated it like any other medical problem — matter-of-factly, without any awkwardness. That normalisation itself was therapeutic.
A urodynamic study confirmed intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Dr. Utture recommended a male retropubic sling — a minimally invasive procedure that repositions and supports the urethra to restore continence. The procedure was performed as a day-care surgery under spinal anaesthesia and took approximately 45 minutes.
- Procedure dayMale sling placed under spinal anaesthesia, 45 minutes. Catheter removed 4 hours later. Voided successfully. Discharged same evening.
- Week 1Perineal discomfort managed with oral analgesics. Immediate reduction in pad usage from 4 to 1 per day.
- Week 6Fully continent. Zero pads. Returned to gym and business travel.
Going from 4 pads a day to zero in six weeks — after 18 months of living with this — is genuinely life-changing. I only wish I had come sooner.
Vikram's experience underscores an important truth: post-prostatectomy incontinence is neither inevitable nor permanent. Patients who do not achieve continence with conservative measures have effective surgical options available. The barrier is almost always delayed presentation due to embarrassment — a barrier that Dr. Utture's practice actively works to remove through direct, compassionate communication.
Recovery milestones after urological procedures
One of the most common questions patients ask before a urological procedure is: "When will I be back to normal?" While every patient's recovery is individual and depends on their overall health, the nature of the procedure, and their adherence to post-operative guidance, the following milestones represent typical recovery trajectories observed at Dr. Utture's Mumbai clinic.
Understanding these milestones in advance reduces anxiety, sets realistic expectations, and helps patients plan their return to work, family responsibilities, and physical activity.
The single most important factor in a smooth recovery is closely following your post-operative instructions, attending all scheduled follow-up appointments, and contacting the clinic promptly if you develop fever above 38°C, significantly worsening pain, inability to urinate, or heavy bleeding. Most post-operative concerns are easily managed when caught early.
Begin your own recovery journey — Consult Dr. Anand Utture
Whether you are dealing with kidney stones, prostate problems, urinary incontinence, or a new urological diagnosis, Dr. Anand Utture provides expert, compassionate care at his Mumbai clinic — from first consultation to full recovery.
Book a consultationFrequently asked questions
How long does recovery from kidney stone surgery take?
With RIRS, most patients are discharged within 24 hours and return to normal activity within 3–5 days. The ureteric stent is removed at 10–14 days. Full activity including exercise resumes by week 4–6. PCNL requires a 2–3 day hospital stay and 7–10 day recovery.
What can I expect after laser prostate surgery (HoLEP or TURP)?
Most patients notice dramatically improved flow within 1–2 days of catheter removal. All BPH medications are stopped permanently. Mild temporary stress leakage can occur in the first few weeks and resolves with pelvic floor exercises in 4–8 weeks. Full recovery is typically achieved by week 6–8.
Does early diagnosis really improve cancer outcomes?
Significantly. Prostate cancer detected at Stage I–II has near-100% five-year survival. Bladder cancer caught at a non-muscle-invasive stage (Ta/T1) is treated with cystoscopic resection alone — without bladder removal. Early diagnosis is the single most impactful factor in urological cancer outcomes.