Artificial Sphincter Fitted

Gene

Like you, I am dry entirely if I go every hour. My doc believes that my bladder has shrunk from not holding anything for 18 months - I never became continent overnight, so never got a full bladder or anything close to it at any time. Hence his advice that I need to try and go 2 hours before I release it, even if it means I get bladder contractions which force some drips past the cuff. This is likely to be an ongoing process for several months until my bladder returns to normal capacity, he says.

Initially I was wearing a small pad to catch the drips. I've not done this for the last few days - found that a few drips on my jocks is not a problem. It dries off before I urinate the next time, and never comes through to my outer clothes. The feel normal underpants against your skin is one of life's joys for me at the moment.

I am happy with my stream. It comes out nice and strong. There is no delay in the urine flowing once I press the pump. In fact, I have to hold it back by doing a Kegal for a few seconds after pressing the pump while I get my hand out of the way and get pointed in the right direction, otherwise I'd end up spraying myself.

Berb

Divo,

I well remember back several months ago when it became evident that I was not going to regain continence and when I began thinking about this Artificial Urinary Sphincter, I could find little or no information from anyone with expeience with the device(s) on this HW forum.  A doctor came on and had began explaining the AUS and that made someone here very reactive to him, to the point that the doctor was kicked off the forum.  I reacted with anger... until I stopped to think about why the doc was not allowed. 

I determined then that if I ever did get the artificial devices, I would share what I could here, attempting not to break the rules.  That is why I am presently sharing what I am experience with my new AUS and IPP.  I am motivated to help anyone who needs help in the particular area, but trying to be careful not to personally insist that others with the same difficulty should have the same.  It is an individual choice.  My experiences with these devices have been positive thus far... and I sure am happy about that.  No more pads... No more clamps...No more ED.

Gene214

Hi JerryV,

I had one cut of 2" along the perinium where they inserted the cuff and pump. Another cut about 2" long just above the groin where they inserted the reservoir. In both cases, all stitching was internal, and the skin was closed and held with some tape. This tape was removed after 2 days and they sprayed it with plastic skin, and that was it.

Good luck with yours. Glad you've found a satisfactory interim solution with the AF system.

Berb

    Dang Berb,  I have trouble driving that far....let alone running it.  Glad you are doing so well.  I too worry about the end of the "pump" rubbing into the scrotum.  Other than that everything is healingwell....lolol. 

    JerryV, if you see this and still want to know I had one incison that ran from about an inch up on the bottom of the scrotum down almost to the anus.  I also had a 1 inch incision on the left side of the scrotum just above the testicle.  All were colosed with disolvable suitures and a covering of some kind of skin glue.  Within two weeks all the glue had worn off and everything was closed tightly.

    Wish you luck and let us know how you do.

    KW

Berb and KW,

I have rubbing problems with the end of the AUS pump too.  Perhaps we need to mention this to surgeons and to the AMS people as a design flaw.  Evidently, they have had difficulty in finding enough space in the scrotum for all the hardware to fit and, thus, the protruding blunt end of the device into the scrotum which which also produces rubbing the leg where it protrudes.  But still very happy with the effectiveness of the device.

Gene214