Aquablation · UroLift · Rezum · TURP · HoLEP · Busan Korea

Prostate Treatment Busan:
All Five Procedures, Compared Honestly

Seomyeon L Urology offers every major BPH procedure — including Aquablation, which no other Busan clinic provides. Dr. Kim selects the procedure that fits your prostate anatomy and ejaculation priorities. Here is the complete decision framework.

TL;DR

Five BPH procedures are available at Seomyeon L Urology. The most important decision variable for sexually active men is ejaculation preservation: Aquablation 92%, Rezum 82%, UroLift 80%, TURP ~35%, HoLEP ~30%. For prostate size over 80mL, only Aquablation and HoLEP are suitable. Dr. Kim selects based on anatomy first, patient preference second — not on which procedure the clinic earns most from.

Prostate anatomy BPH obstruction diagram — medical education
Prostate anatomy BPH obstruction diagram — medical educati
Prostate anatomy BPH obstruction diagram urological education
Prostate anatomy BPH obstruction diagram urological edu

Procedure Selection by Patient Profile

Exclusively at Seomyeon L

Aquablation (AQUABEAM)

AI-guided waterjet ablation. Best ejaculatory outcomes of any ablative BPH procedure. Suitable for 30–150mL prostates. Only procedure that combines TURP-equivalent efficacy with ejaculation preservation exceeding 90%.

Best forSexually active men, prostate 30–150mL
Ejaculation preserved92%
Large prostate (>80mL)Yes
Stay in Busan5–7 days
All-in USD$4,800–$6,200
Full Aquablation Guide →

UroLift System

Mechanical retraction of prostatic lobes using permanent implants. Shortest recovery of any BPH procedure. Same-day discharge; return to work week 1–2. Ejaculation preserved in ~80%. Not suitable for median lobe obstruction or prostates over 80mL.

Best forProstate 30–80mL, shortest recovery priority
Ejaculation preserved~80%
Large prostate (>80mL)No
Stay in Busan5–7 days
All-in USD$3,800–$4,600

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy

Steam ablation of prostatic tissue. Good ejaculatory outcomes (~82%). Requires 2–7 day catheter — longer than UroLift or Aquablation. Better for median lobe than UroLift. Symptom improvement takes longer to plateau (4–8 weeks).

Best forProstate 30–80mL with median lobe
Ejaculation preserved~82%
Stay in Busan5–7 days (catheter management)
All-in USD$3,500–$4,300

TURP (Transurethral Resection)

Gold standard for 40+ years. Best symptom relief data. BUT: retrograde ejaculation in ~65% — semen enters the bladder at orgasm. Permanent. Appropriate for patients who are not sexually active or have already completed their family. Lower cost.

Best forNot sexually active; cost priority
Ejaculation preserved~35% only
Stay in Busan7–10 days
All-in USD$3,200–$4,100

HoLEP Laser Enucleation

Most durable BPH treatment; lowest reoperation rate. Gold standard for large prostates (>80mL). Retrograde ejaculation ~70% — similar to TURP. Longer OR time; requires 1–2 nights. Recommended when Aquablation is not suitable (previous pelvic radiation, specific anatomy).

Best forLarge prostate >80mL, durability priority
Ejaculation preserved~30%
Stay in Busan8–12 days
All-in USD$4,200–$5,500

The Ejaculation Question — Why It Matters for BPH

Retrograde ejaculation (RE) occurs when the ejaculatory ducts are damaged during prostate treatment, causing semen to travel backward into the bladder rather than exiting at orgasm. The sensation of orgasm is usually unchanged — but the visible ejaculate disappears.

For men who have completed their family and are not primarily concerned with visible ejaculation, RE may be acceptable in exchange for a lower-cost or more established procedure (TURP, HoLEP). For younger men, men with a new partner, or men for whom ejaculation matters regardless of fertility: RE is not acceptable — and modern BPH procedures make it avoidable for most patients.

Retrograde ejaculation is permanent. There is no pharmacological or surgical treatment to reliably reverse RE after TURP. Before choosing TURP for a patient who is sexually active, Dr. Kim explicitly discusses this and confirms understanding in writing as part of the consent process.

Dr. Kim's Procedure Selection Protocol

1

Confirm Prostate Volume (TRUS)

Volume determines which procedures are anatomically possible. Under 30mL: watchful waiting discussed. 30–80mL: all five procedures possible. Over 80mL: Aquablation or HoLEP only.

2

Assess Ejaculation Priority

Directly asked: "Is ejaculation preservation a priority for you?" If yes: Aquablation, UroLift, or Rezum. If no: TURP or HoLEP may be appropriate depending on size and cost preference.

3

Assess Recovery Window

How long can the patient stay in Busan? One week minimum: Aquablation, Rezum, or UroLift. If 10+ days available: HoLEP or TURP are also possible for appropriate cases.

4

Final Recommendation

Written recommendation with specific procedure, rationale, price quote, and stay duration confirmed before the patient books travel.

BPH procedure ejaculation preservation rate comparison chart Korea
BPH procedure ejaculation preservation rate comparison
BPH ejaculation preservation rate chart — Aquablation 92% Korea
BPH ejaculation preservation rate chart — Aquablation 92%

Send Your TRUS Volume — Get a Specific Recommendation

No two prostates are the same. Send your TRUS result and IPSS score for a procedure recommendation specific to your anatomy and priorities.

Get Your Procedure Recommendation →

All 5 Procedures Compared

BPH Treatment at Seomyeon L — Every Option, Honestly Compared

FactorAquablationUroLiftRezumTURPHoLEP
Seomyeon L offers✓ Only in Busan✓✓✓✓
Ejaculation preserved90%100%~92%~35%~50%
AnaesthesiaGeneralLocal/sedationLocal/sedationSpinal/generalSpinal/general
OR time40–60 min30–45 min10–20 min60–90 min60–120 min
Hospital stay1 nightDay surgeryDay surgery1–2 nights1–2 nights
Catheter duration~1 day0–1 day2–3 days5–7 days1–2 days
Min. Busan stay7–10 days4–5 days4–5 days8–10 days8–10 days
Prostate size range30–150mL≤80mL30–80mLAnyAny
10yr retreatment risk~5–8%13–20%10–15%5–7%2–4%
USD at Seomyeon L$4,800–$6,200$4,400–$5,600$3,900–$5,000$3,400–$4,400$4,200–$5,400
USA equivalent$12,000–$20,000$8,000–$14,000$7,000–$12,000$12,000–$20,000$14,000–$22,000

Dr. Kim selects the appropriate procedure based on prostate volume (TRUS), IPSS score, ejaculation priority, and prior treatment history. The procedure comparison is presented at pre-consultation — not after you arrive in Busan.

How to Choose

Which BPH Procedure Is Right for You — Dr. Kim's Decision Framework

Step 1 — Measure Your IPSS Score

IPSS ScoreSeveritySeomyeon L Recommendation
0–7MildWatchful waiting; lifestyle optimisation
8–19ModerateMedication trial → Aquablation/UroLift
20–35SevereAquablation (≤150mL) / TURP or HoLEP (>80mL)

Step 2 — Measure Prostate Volume (TRUS)

VolumeBest Procedure Options
<30mLMedication; UroLift if median lobe minimal
30–80mLAquablation, UroLift, or Rezum — patient preference
80–150mLAquablation preferred; TURP/HoLEP if Aquablation unavailable
>150mLHoLEP; TURP; consider open simple prostatectomy

Step 3 — Ejaculation Priority?

This is the most important lifestyle question. If ejaculation is important:

  • ✓Aquablation: 90% preservation — recommended for ≤150mL
  • ✓UroLift: 100% preservation — for ≤80mL without median lobe
  • ✓Rezum: ~92% preservation — for 30–80mL with median lobe
  • ✓TURP: ~35% preservation — reserved for Aquablation/UroLift failure or large prostates
  • ✓HoLEP: ~50% preservation — most durable, largest prostates
If ejaculation is not a concern

TURP or HoLEP offer the lowest retreatment rates (5–7% and 2–4% at 10 years). For a foreign patient who wants a single definitive procedure with the lowest probability of returning, HoLEP is the most durable option at comparable USD cost to Aquablation.

Recovery by Procedure

Week-by-Week Recovery — Each Procedure at Seomyeon L Lotte Hotel

MilestoneAquablationUroLiftRezumTURP
Leave clinic1 nightSame daySame day1–2 nights
Catheter removalDay 1–2Day 0–1Day 2–3Day 5–7
Pink urine resolvesDay 3–5Day 1–2Day 3–5Day 7–10
Urgency/frequency peaksDay 3–7Day 2–5Day 7–14Day 2–7
Short-haul flightDay 5–7Day 4–5Day 4–5Day 8–10
Long-haul flightDay 7–10Day 6–7Day 6–8Day 10–14
Return to desk workDay 3–5Day 2–3Day 2–3Week 2
Physical activityWeek 3–4Week 2Week 2Week 4
IPSS response assessmentMonth 3Month 2–3Month 3–6Month 2–3

The Lotte Hotel 14F location means catheter removal check, wound review, and discharge bloodwork can all be performed via elevator from your hotel room below the clinic — no street travel required during the first 24–72 hours post-surgery.

FAQ

BPH Prostate Treatment — Foreign Patient Questions