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Posted 3/22/2008 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
  Emhoh   -While you    are waiting to find a therapist , you might take a look at a couple of books on Bluebirds list-                           One is- Beyond Kegels , the other is Conquering Incontinence   . Good luck       Brodie
Posted 3/22/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Brodie, thanks for the info.
Posted 3/24/2008 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Brodie!!  Every penny helps HealingWell   v      Books Click on  link (below) BOOKS... Recommended by Forum Members ~ See Link to HW's official bookstore!!
Posted 8/3/2008 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all -

Seems like this discussion is pretty quiet lately although I know KW has a separate string on his sling journey. I had an AdVance male sling implanted three weeks ago on July 11 and my experience has been similiar to KW's...it seemed to work great the first week but now I'm back to my pre-sling leak rate of one pretty soaked pad per day. My urologist thinks the sling shifted or came loose, causing some additional problems that I'll be glad to share if anyone is interested. At this point, he wants to see how things shape up over the next month before deciding what to do. I don't think one pad per day warrants an AUS in my case, although even that is a pain.

I'm new to this site and have just read through all the posts. You guys are a wonderful source of information and support. I'm happy to share more of my experience if anyone has any questions.

Many thanks,
WVA Rafter
Posted 8/3/2008 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Rafter. I know it is your decision. But I think I could deal with 1 pad a day before I would go through the AUS surgery. But this is comming from a guy soaking 6-8 pads a day with limited water intake and no caffeene or alcohol.
We will support you in any decision you make.
KW
Posted 8/3/2008 11:52 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks KW.  I agree completely.  I believe an AUS is overkill in my situation and I suppose the urologist is only bringing it up so that I'm aware of all the options.  I'm thankful to be on one pad a day and 0 PSA but still hope the sling inside me improves things once all the trauma from the internal bleeding settles down.  I sincerely hope your AUS later this month gets you down to that one light pad that you want.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Rafter

Posted 11/8/2008 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Dan,

Months have passed since your last posting; so I don't know if you've had the Advance sling surgery. I had the surgery in early October and have had controlled dryness since then.

I had a radical prostatectomy in 2001 and have been burdened with incontinence since--usually one to two pads a day. When I tried to participate in sports, the situation would worsen and prove embarrassing. So I stopped participating in tennis, golf etc. and significantly reduced the number of male friends as they moved on and I pondered the next time to change.

My local urologist was sensitive to the issue, though he had not performed the prostate surgery. After eliminating another cancerous threat over time, I was finally determined to be free from cancer both prostate and bladder as of last year. At that time, my urologist suggested that I consider the Invance procedure to reduce or even eliminate the incontinence. I was reluctant to consider any more surgery after my six years of repeated procedures and scoping. However, I research the procedure and sought out blogs like this to determine the experiences of others.

This spring I met with my urologist who recommended it again and advised me to consult with the Incontinence Center at Lahey Clinic in Burlington MA. I met with Dr. John Stoffel at the center who examined me, discussed my personal situations and feelings, and advised the Advance system as being more appropriate for me as I had taken up biking to replace tennis. The surgery, while similar to the Invance surgical placement, would eliminate the need for screws and thus may make for more comfortable riding.

As mentioned, I had the surgery in early October and have been dry since the nurse removed the catherer following my overnight stay. No more leaks from sneezes, from rising from a sitting position, from falling, during the night etc. I find the results remarkable. I walk three to five miles three time a week and return dry! I have not ridden a bike nor have I been to the tennis court as I am completing the six week recuperation, but I am looking forward to both with new confidence, not with the fear of embarrassment. Even if I need to use a light, wide pad for tennis, but can complete a match in single and doubles with minimal leakage, I'd find that quite acceptable as I recall what preceded it.

I hope if you had your surgery that your outcome was at least as good; if you haven't, be sure to find an experience urologist who has performed this procedure successfully numerous times to improve your chances of a good outcome.

Good luck.

Max
Posted 12/31/2008 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am a prostate cancer survivor having had radical prostatectomy in May of 2003 and I too have been burdened with incontinence since.  I was a two pad a day consumer until I had the AdVance Male Sling procedure in March of this year.   I must say that the AdVance procedure was a complete failure. My pad usage is up to three per day.  Along with this, I am not able to completely empty my bladder after urination.  A sonagram reveaed that I am retaining over 11 oz. of urine in my bladder.  I don't know what else to do about this.  My urologist seems surprised of this outcome and has no answer for me. 

Has anyone ever hear of a situation like mine, going from bad to worse with the AdVance Sling?

 

Posted 12/31/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey NewEngland, Sorry to hear your troubles continue. Seems like I have seen a few guys have some retention or trouble urinating after the sling. You did not include any age / activity level information, but if your still filling three heavy pads a day I would think about considering the AUS if you feel you can not enjoy your activities with your current rate of leaking. If your interested in the AUS give me a holler.
Good Luck,
KW
Posted 12/31/2008 9:30 PM (GMT 0)

NewEnglandMan said...
I am a prostate cancer survivor having had radical prostatectomy in May of 2003 and I too have been burdened with incontinence since. I was a two pad a day consumer until I had the AdVance Male Sling procedure in March of this year. I must say that the AdVance procedure was a complete failure. My pad usage is up to three per day. Along with this, I am not able to completely empty my bladder after urination. A sonagram reveaed that I am retaining over 11 oz. of urine in my bladder. I don't know what else to do about this. My urologist seems surprised of this outcome and has no answer for me.
Has anyone ever hear of a situation like mine, going from bad to worse with the AdVance Sling?

Sorry about your outcome.

Who performed the procedure and at what hospital? One of the problems for us men is finding the right surgeon based on successful outcomes which while not guaranteeing future results would at least give us hope for a similar outcome. It is important particularly in these forums to identify the physician and hospital where the surgery is performed. While our individual outcomes are anecdotal, we may find a common thread of success and or failure which adds to our knowledge of choice as consumers. Was your surgeon on the AMS recommended list of providers? Check at 800-529-5744.

I find it extraordinary that the outcome you've experienced has made your condition worse. In a previous post, I noted the urologist who performed my procedure at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. You may wish to set up an appointment/consultation with Dr. John Stoffel who is in charge of the Incontinence Clinic at Lahey. I'd bring all the surgical data and your medical history so that he might offer an explanation as to what might have gone wrong and what might be done to remedy the current problem.

Good Luck!
Posted 1/14/2009 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Just had the Advance male sling installed on Monday, January 5, 2009. Went in at 5:30AM, got prepped, procedure started at 8:00AM and I was home at 10:30AM! I was given antibiotic and pain medication. Used the pan medication throughout Tuesday and Wednesday and tapered off on Thursday. Crotch area very tender, as that is where the major incision was made - about 6-8 stitches. Incontinence went from 1-2 pads per day to total continence! I had been incontinent for 12 years since having a radical. I now have a 3 week period of limited activity but after that, a normal pad-free life!

Posted 1/14/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news and a relief for you, Howard...
Posted 1/15/2009 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
That is Great Howard.
KW
Posted 1/15/2009 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Howard,

Congratulations on your surgical outcome. I trust it's everything you hoped for.

Who is your surgeon and where was the surgery performed?

Max
Posted 1/16/2009 12:38 AM (GMT 0)

    Max,  I know you did not ask me but I will tell you how my AdVance Sling was installed.  It was done as an outpatient proceedure.  I believe I was home within 4 or 5 hours of chicking into the surgery unit.  The sling is installed using a perineal incision that runs from the base of the scrotum toward the anus.  There are also two puncture wounds on each side of the scrotum in the crease where the leg meets the pelvis (hope that is about as clear as mud????)  There are two "hook" tools that are inserted where the puncture wounds are.  The sling is attached to the "tools" and pulled through the perineal incision and positioned agianst the urethera.  From my understand this is pretty much the textbook method of installation.

    Hope this helps,  KW

Posted 1/16/2009 3:13 PM (GMT 0)

Max; My surgery was performed in Raleigh, NC at the Duke Raleigh Hospital. My surgeon/urologist is Douglas Leet. He not only performs but teaches the procedure. Today, 12 days after procedure, I am 100% continent and have no side or after effects!!

Howard

Posted 1/19/2009 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
To: Howard

Congratulations! The future looks dry and that's the way we want it. Thanks for listing your surgeon and the surgical center. It may help other men considering the surgery who have access to the center or whose insurance will allow it there.

To: KW

I had a similar procedure though I was required to stay overnight in the hospital. In the end the outcome has been as expected. Back to normal, before all the operations.


Max
Posted 3/19/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

I have been reading this blog for some time and it has been very helpful. I had a radical prostatectomy using the DaVinci Robot on 8/31/2007 in New Haven, CT by Dr. David Hess. I was 57 and in very good health and physical condition. I don't smoke and only social drink. It was successful, but I have been incontinent for the last year and a half. If I am inactive I go through 1 to 2 pads a day. However, the use of alcohol or caffine, or stressful excercise like skiing, biking, gym workouts makes be use a pad every couple of hours. I have managed through all things by wearing a depends diaper and pad to be extra careful. Of course this is a pain in the neck and I find I am doing less exercise since the operation.

I have decided to try the Advance Sling and I am scheduled for surgery April 24, 2009. Dr. Marlene Murphy-Setzko, Hartford, CT is performing the surgery. She indicates she has done about 50 sling surgeries. I am hoping for the best result, with the expectation that I will only need a pad for excercising. I would love to hear more about the results others have had with the Advance Sling. I will report my results after the surgery.

Radical Prostatectomy with DaVinci Robot 8/31/2007, age 57

PSA has been close to 0 since then.

Sexual activity resumed totally after about 6 months, used Viagra for a few months prior then no longer needed it.

Scheduled for Advance Sling 4/23/2009

Posted 3/25/2009 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Just found this wonderful site!
I'm a 7-year veteran of a PPR, with undetectable PSA, and that's the best and most important news, of course. But I've been plagued with severe incontinence that never changed from the moment they first removed the catheter. Waited two years with absolutely no change or improvement, going through several very wet pads/day. A local incontinence clinic here installed the InVance (the older one with screws), and it was great for a few weeks, then began leaking again, now back up to 3-4 pads/day.
I'm too young and active to sustain this, as sometimes they fill so fast I can't get control of things. I've just returned today from a visit to that doc and will be consulting with another next week. We're fortunate here in Seattle to have a great selection of resources and docs doing all the latest stuff.

I could use advice from you great guys: do I take a chance on the AdVance (the newer) sling and see if it helps, or just go the whole route to the venerable AMS800?

I'd love to hear any stories about experiences with the AUS. I see that KW had one done, but don't see any follow-up posts.

Thanks! So glad I stumbled into your site.

WoodinvilleDave
Posted 6/19/2009 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
KW,
I had the Advance Sling installed 2 days ago. After they took out the catheter I have been leaking for 30 hours off and on with little control. I had my Prostate surgery 3 years ago and my incontinence was limited to 1 - 2 pads a day and 0 pads if I used the Cunningham clamp. I opted for the sling to give myself a chance at dryness. I hope it is early but right now I feel like I made a tremendous mistake. My incontinence is like it was following the surgery. I am too sore to try and stop the leaking with my kegal muscles. It seems like you have been on this site for a while, do you have any info for me on the sling and if you leak after the surgery does it get better. My Dr. told me it might or might not help my situation but getting worse was really not an option according to him. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Posted 10/5/2009 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, gents. I need advice and perspective about the male sling procedure, which I am now planning to have done in the near future. I am 58, two years post laprocropic radical surgery out of Lahey Clinic in Mass (Dr. Tuerk). I live in the Burlington VT area. All PSA readings since surgery are 'negligible'. Incontinence has been part of my life since, however. Immediately after surgery, I was going thru 10-12 diapers per day...really out of control. Now I manage to get thru most of my work days with several thick wads of tissue/toilet paper -changed during hte day - but then find my control to diminish quickly around 5pm. Weekends I go thru 2-3 pads per day, as I am considerably more active compared with work. The surgeon I now plan to do the male sling procedure (the Advance) is Richard Kershen. He has done only about 10 of them, but my trusted urologist recommends him highly and I have spoken with two of Kershen's patients who speak very highly of him and of their results. I am told Kershen has had very good success with this procedure. I struggle with both stress and urge incontinence, although it is considered relatively mild. As anyone who has lived with it knows, it is still incredibly frustrating, inconvenient, embarrassing. I would appreciate others' comments about:

- using a surgeon with relatively limited experience?
- who else in New England does the procedure?
- I assume there is some correlation between 'successful results' and being a good boy and limiting strenuous activity, movements...

thanks, all....

"ZPiddler"
Posted 10/6/2009 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
ZPiddler,

My leakage sounds less than yours and after the sling was put in my incontinence became worst. I use a "Dribblestop Clamp" now and it works well to control my leakage. My plan is to get the artificial sphincter put in. My advice would be to forgo the sling and go straight to the artificial sphincter. My doctor said I was his first patient to get worst after the surgery (lucky me) but even now I don't change pads at all with the dribblestop. Without the dribble stop I would probably go through 2 pads per day. I took a shot with the sling but the pain and aggrevation was not worth the results. Good luck...
Posted 12/11/2009 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hello gentlemen, first I would like to say to those who have had success with their sling... congratluations... I am so happy for you. Second, please forgive the typos since I just had my advance male sling procedure today and am heavily medicated at the moment. I live in Arkansas and back in June of this year I had been having problems having a bowel movement. Almost 5 weeks passed with no bowel movement at all and I kept going to the ER and telling them I wasn't constipated but had ZERO bowel movement, however after 4 trips to the ER over a 3 week period they kept sending me home saying I was constipated. FINALLY on my last visit to the ER I was given a CT scan of my pelvic area and the doc noticed I had a very enlarged prostate. I saw a urologist the next day and he admitted me to the hospital for emergency surgery. Thank God it was not cancer but a bad abcess that needed to be lanced. He lanced and drained my prostate and I had a catheder in for about 1 week after the procedure. After removing the catheder I have been 100% incontinent since. Using up to 8 pads a day. I am 49 years old by the way. I was told that the Mayo clinic urology department was one of the best in the country for urology issues so I traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ back in Oct and saw Dr. Christopher Wolter. Today I returned tohave the sling procedure performed. I had my surgery at 10:00am today and around 2pm they had me attempt to void. I managed to get 50cc (just a few drops really) and then 2 hrs later another 30cc. I convinced them to let me return to my hotel since I was voiding somewhat. However after a few hours back at the hotel I was unable to void at all. Not a single drop and was becomming extremely uncomfortable from the fact I had been drinking fluids all day. I went back to the ER around 7pm and they put in another catherder and drained 1300cc (or is it ML?) from my bladder. The nurse said the most she'd ever seen was 1400 so I was VERY full and in VERY much pain. So now I'm back at the hotel with a catherder and a bag tied to my leg for the night. I have to contact the clinic in the morning and we are goingto go from there. I sure hope I am able to void on my own tomorrow. You never realize how much you take some so simple as remaining dry for granted until you experience what we've all gone through. I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow. Wish me luck !!!

Bob in Arkansas (well Arizona at the moment lol)
Posted 12/11/2009 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
Oh... quick question for Slingman... what is a "dribblestop clamp"? I have a cunningham clamp and it works great but gets very painful after a few hours. In the even my sling doesn't "hold up" I'd like to find out more about this dribblestop.... thanks!!!

Posted 12/11/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
An update.. I went back to Mayo at 11am this morning (it is now 3:26pm) they did a "fill and pull" where they injected 250ccs of liquid into my bladder and then pulled the catheder to see if I could go on my own. I managed to go but had to "push" somewhat to get it to come out. They scanned my bladder after and found about 1/2 oz left and let me go home. I am back at the hotel and have only tried once to go in the past 4 hours. I had a few drops come out but that was all. I haven't had much to drink this afternoon so I'm hoping that is all the problem is right now. I guess I will know more later. Update coming later.

 

Bob

 

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