Dr. Amar J. Raval of Advanced Urology Institute Recognized as an Axonics® Center of Excellence

Dr. Raval Axonics COE 1
Dr. Raval Axonics COE 2
Dr. Raval Axonics COE 3

Dr. Amar J. Raval is an expert at treating bladder and bowel dysfunction with innovative Axonics Therapy.

June 28, 2021

Advanced Urology Institute (AUI) has been designated an Axonics Center of Excellence by Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc. The designation recognizes the AUI team and specifically Dr. Amar J. Raval for his expertise with Axonics Therapy and sincere commitment to changing the lives of patients suffering from bladder and bowel dysfunction.

Today, millions of Americans suffer from overactive bladder and fecal incontinence.1 Patients in the New Port Richey and Tampa, Florida areas with chronic and debilitating symptoms related to bladder and bowel dysfunction may seek treatment from the experts at AUI. Axonics Therapy gently stimulates the sacral nerve (sacral neuromodulation), restoring normal communication between the brain and the bladder. Axonics Therapy has been clinically proven to provide rapid and long-lasting relief of symptoms associated with bladder and bowel dysfunction.

In a clinical study, 129 patients with urgency incontinence were treated with Axonics Therapy. At 2-years, 93% of patients had successful therapy and 94% of patients were satisfied with their therapy.2

The Axonics Center of Excellence program recognizes highly trained and experienced physicians (typically urologists, urogynecologists, and colorectal surgeons) and clinical practices that are committed to patient education and providing exemplary care to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

“AUI is proud to be recognized as a Center of Excellence. This designation is a testament to the dedication of our entire team, and in particular to Dr. Amar J. Raval,” said Erica Williams, Chief Administrative Officer. “We are committed to providing the best care to our patients and are extremely pleased to offer Axonics Therapy.”

About Advanced Urology Institute

As one of the largest full-service urology groups Florida, our 37 locations offer comprehensive urology services, from evaluation and pre-surgical preparation, to surgery and rehabilitation. We have evaluated numerous patients and performed thousands of urologic surgical and cancer procedures in the last decade with excellent outcomes. We are dedicated to combining clinical excellence, advanced technology, and patient- and family-centered care.

For more information contact AUI at: 855-977-4888

About Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc. and Sacral Neuromodulation

Axonics, based in Irvine, Calif., has developed and is commercializing novel implantable SNM devices for patients with urinary and bowel dysfunction. These conditions are caused by a miscommunication between the bladder and the brain and significantly impacts quality of life. Overactive bladder affects an estimated 87 million adults in the U.S. and Europe. Another estimated 40 million adults are reported to suffer from fecal incontinence/accidental bowel leakage. Axonics SNM therapy, which has been clinically proven to reduce symptoms and restore pelvic floor function, is now being offered at hundreds of medical centers across the U.S. and in dozens of select hospitals in Western Europe. Reimbursement coverage is well established in the U.S. and is a covered service in most European countries. The Axonics System is the first long-lived rechargeable SNM system approved for sale in the world, and the first to gain full-body MRI conditional labeling. For more information, visit www.axonics.com.

 

References:

1. Irwin DE, Kopp ZS, Agatep B, Milsom I, Abrams P. Worldwide prevalence estimates of lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and bladder outlet obstruction. BJU Int. 2011;108(7):1132-1138.

2. Pezzella A, McCrery R, Lane F, et al. Two-year outcomes of the ARTISAN-SNM study for the treatment of urinary urgency incontinence using the Axonics rechargeable sacral neuromodulation system [in press]. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021.

What Should You Discuss with Your Doctor about Erectile Dysfunction, According to Dr. Yaser Bassel?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Dr. Yaser S. Bassel, MD, is a board-certified urologist in Tampa, FL, who specializes in treating erectile dysfunction.
  • Patients should not hesitate to discuss erectile dysfunction with their healthcare provider and should focus on managing risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes.
  • Medications are typically the first line of therapy for ED, and a conversation with a healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate treatment option.

Introduction: The Urologist and Erectile Dysfunction

Yaser S. Bassel, MD, a board-certified urologist in Tampa, FL, practices at Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida. In this article, Dr. Bassel addresses the importance of discussing erectile dysfunction (ED) with your physician and provides insights into managing risk factors and potential treatment options.

Breaking the Silence: Discussing Erectile Dysfunction

Many individuals may feel timid or afraid to discuss erectile dysfunction with their healthcare provider. However, Dr. Bassel emphasizes that ED is a common issue and urges patients to initiate conversations about it. Identifying and addressing the organic sources of ED is a crucial step toward finding appropriate treatment options.

Managing Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction

Dr. Bassel advises patients to work closely with their primary care physician to control cardiovascular risk factors that may contribute to ED, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. By effectively managing these factors, patients can prevent their erectile dysfunction from worsening over time.

Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

Thanks to the development of various medications, there are now easy ways to treat ED. Dr. Bassel explains that the first step in addressing ED is discussing the available medications, their potential side effects, and benefits with patients. Medications are typically tried as the first line of therapy, and the conversation helps determine the most suitable treatment option for each individual.

Advanced Urology Institute: A Leader in Urological Care

As the largest urology practice in Florida, the Advanced Urology Institute provides comprehensive care for patients dealing with a wide range of urological issues, including erectile dysfunction. With a team of experienced, board-certified urologists like Dr. Yaser Bassel, patients can expect state-of-the-art treatment options and compassionate, personalized care.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board-certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute. 

A lot of people are a little timid or a little afraid to bring up that issue with their physician, but it is very common. And oftentimes we try and talk to patients about trying to figure out an organic source of their ED and correcting that. I think for patients, the main thing is that when they’re starting to deal with that, it is important for them to continue to follow with their primary care doctor to control their cardiovascular risk factors, their cholesterol, their blood pressure, their diabetes. And once that’s under control, you can prevent the erectile dysfunction from worsening. The good news is, of course, with the advent of these medications, there are easy ways to treat this issue. And oftentimes we’ll talk to patients about the medications that we have readily available to us, the different side effects and the benefits of each of those medications. And that’s how we typically start the conversation and then see where the patient would like to go. And then usually we try medications as the first line of therapy.

REFERENCES: 

Find Top Urologists Near You in Tampa, FL

Do you endure frequent urine leakage? Are you experiencing a persistent feeling of pressure, heaviness, or lower abdominal pain? Do you have erectile dysfunction, difficulty urinating, or blood in urine? Any of these symptoms may mean you have a urological problem and should see a urologist. 

In the Tampa Bay area, you can find top urologists at Advanced Urology Institute, Westchase office.

What is a urologist?

A urologist is a surgical specialist who diagnoses and treats problems of the male reproductive system and the urinary tracts of both males and females. The doctor tackles conditions of the urinary bladder, kidneys, ureter, adrenal glands, urethra, and male reproductive organs—the testes, vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis.

You may need to see a urologist when referred by your primary physician, usually after symptoms persist for a long duration or fail to improve. But you can also go directly to a urologist when you have a recurrent need to urinate urgently, difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, dribbling, urinary leakage, and burning pain or sensation during urination.

Pain in your lower back, pelvis, or sides and the presence of blood in the urine are also reasons to see a urologist. If you’re a man, you may need to see a urologist if there is a decrease in sexual desires, a lump in one of your testicles, trouble getting and keeping an erection, or if you want to undergo a vasectomy.

Conditions treated by urologists include:

  1. Urinary incontinence
  2. Urinary tract infections
  3. Enlarged prostate
  4. Bladder prolapse, painful bladder, and overactive bladder
  5. Kidney or ureteral stones
  6. Erectile dysfunction and
  7. Male infertility
  8. Peyronie’s disease
  9. Urethral stricture
  10. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism)
  11. Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome)
  12. Kidney disease
  13. Urologic oncology, such as prostate, kidney, testicular, and bladder cancer
  14. Varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum)

What should you expect your urologist to do for you?

Your urologist will examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination. They will order a basic urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease. This may be followed by imaging tests, such as MRI scans, ultrasound, or CT scans to locate the problem.

In some cases, the physician will do a cystoscopy—a medical imaging procedure that enables the doctor to examine the inside of your urinary tract. During cystoscopy, the urologist may collect some tissue samples for testing. Urodynamic testing may also be run to indicate how fast urine leaves your body, the amount of urine that is left in your bladder after urinating, and the pressure in your bladder.

After diagnosis, your urologist may opt for different treatment methods depending on the condition. For instance, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat infections, hormone treatment for prostate cancer, chemotherapy drugs for cancer, PDE-5 inhibitors like Tadalafil and Cialis for erectile dysfunction, and other medication to act on the smooth muscles of your bladder to treat urinary incontinence.

When necessary, your urologist may perform surgery to remove a tumor, strictures in the urethra, parts of the kidney, kidney stones, or to relieve stress incontinence. The surgical treatment of choice may be open, laparoscopic, robotic, or laser therapy. Urologists are also responsible for carrying out vasectomy—a surgical procedure for permanent contraception in men.

So how do you find a top urologist in Tampa, Florida?

The easiest way is to speak with your primary care physician to refer you to a good urologist. You can also talk with your family, friends, and coworkers about the best urologists they have seen for treatment. Having recommendations from people you know can help you choose a urologist that suits your needs.

Whether you learn about a urologist from your doctor, acquaintances, or online, you should find out more about the experience and skill level of the doctor before a procedure. A quick indicator of competence is board certification, as it shows the training and expertise of the doctor.

When you are persuaded that a particular urologist may be ideal for you, schedule a visit. It is during the visit that you can ask questions and appreciate the physician’s perspective. It is wise to choose a urologist who speaks openly and candidly with you and who can freely explain to you in detail the procedure you seek and any of its risks and complications.

You should also confirm before the visit that your insurance provider will cover the cost of the services and any treatment you may need.

Notable urologists in Tampa, Florida

One reputable urologist in Tampa is Dr. Yaser Bassel. Based at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office, Dr. Bassel is a professional, friendly, board-certified surgeon with years of experience diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence, prostate enlargement, kidney stones, and urologic cancers, among other problems.

His expertise in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including the da Vinci robotic system, makes him one of the most sought-after surgeons by patients with prostate, bladder, and other urologic cancers. 

Dr. Brian D. Hale is another board-certified urologist at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office. With his knowledge and experience in laparoscopy and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, Dr. Hale achieves excellent results treating male and female urinary tract conditions.

He is a specialist in resolving recurrent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder and prostate cancer, and other genitourinary disorders. Being one of the more experienced surgeons in Florida in conducting radical perineal prostatectomy, you can rely on Dr. Hale to speedily and accurately diagnose and treat prostate cancer.

When you want a doctor in Tampa who will listen to you, explain all the options, and answer all your questions before recommending treatment, you can also see Dr. Amar J. Raval at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office. A caring and knowledgeable physician, he is highly skilled in tackling urinary conditions and urinary stone removal. He regularly performs minimally invasive robotic surgery, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and open surgery for various urologic disorders.

A culture of excellence

Advanced Urology Institute has a well earned reputation for medical expertise, the most up-to-date equipment, and a culture of excellence. Through innovation and collaboration, AUI continues to be recognized for offering leading-edge, multidisciplinary, and patient-centered care.

At AUI, Westchase office in Tampa, Florida, we offer treatments for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, male and female urinary incontinence, bladder reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, renal carcinoma, urinary stone management, and robotic laparoscopic surgery, among others. We continually enhance our diagnosis and treatment techniques to guarantee better success rates for our patients.

Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk

My name is Amar J. Raval and I’m with Advanced Urology Institute.[For] men with prostate cancer or kidney cancer or upper tract urothelial carcinoma of the kidney, all of these can be predisposed to genetic risk factors. So [for example] if there’s family members with colon cancer or family history of prostate cancer or even females with breast or ovarian cancer. There are certain genes that are expressed that can be identified in these family members and so they can be screened earlier and be able to be detected earlier. This is huge in the realm of cancer and oncologic treatment because to be able to identify these patients earlier allows you to avoid bigger surgeries or avoid metastatic disease later in life and treat them so that you can extend years, joyous years in your life.