Dominic’s journey to relief with the Optilume procedure

For Dominic Smith, day-to-day life became increasingly difficult as he dealt with worsening urinary symptoms over a two-year period.

“At the peak of it, I was going to the toilet every 5 to 10 minutes. It was exhausting and embarrassing—especially when I was out with friends.”

Dominic, a company director in the storage industry, leads a busy life and enjoys downtime with his fiancée, watching TV, or playing Xbox. But frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom began to take a toll on his personal and social life.

After an initial treatment offered little long-term relief, Dominic was referred to Miss Louise Olson, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Spire Manchester Hospital. She recommended a relatively new and minimally invasive procedure called Optilume.

Optilume is a treatment for urethral strictures, a condition that causes narrowing of the urethra and leads to symptoms such as weak flow, urgency, and frequent urination.

The procedure involves inserting a drug-coated balloon into the urethra to gently expand the narrowed area and deliver medication directly to the tissue to reduce scarring. It is typically performed as a day case under general anaesthetic.

“Miss Olson explained everything so clearly. I felt informed and reassured throughout—I knew I was in good hands."

Dominic was impressed by the facilities and staff at Spire Manchester Hospital:

“The hospital was clean, modern and easy to get to. I was welcomed by friendly staff and felt completely at ease on the day of my procedure.”

After his lunchtime appointment, Dominic had a short recovery period and was discharged the same evening.

Since the procedure, Dominic has seen a significant improvement in his symptoms:

“The urgency has reduced massively, and my flow is much better. A few mild symptoms are still settling, but already, I feel so much more comfortable and confident.”

Miss Olson commented: “Dominic opted for Optilume as a less invasive alternative to reconstructive surgery. He’s had an excellent response to treatment, with a significant improvement in his quality of life.”

“I finally feel like myself again.” Dominic is now back to enjoying life without constant bathroom breaks.

“The care I received at Spire Manchester Hospital was brilliant. Miss Olson was outstanding—she explained everything clearly and treated me with compassion and respect.”

If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, speak to your GP or get in touch with our urology team at Spire Manchester Hospital.