Tallman's journey to Coloplast Male Sling

John,

How great it is to hear your results. It is real perplexing to see the different results people experience from sling surgery, both positive and negative with the different types of slings. With your degree of incontinence prior to the first sling surgery it is somewhat amazing to see such great results with this last one. Regardless, I am thrilled for you.

Your results with Advance and Rapids results with Virtue show that either can get excellent results. KWs results with Advance and mine with Virtue show that either can get less than satisfactory results. There are so many variables that it has to be confusing to many of the others that look for answers on this forum.

Guess we all just have to do our research and try to correlate our situation with others that seem similar and make sure we have a good doctor that we have confidence in to guide us to a decision. Unfortunately I don't think most of them know any more than what we learn from this forum.

Steve,

Yes, I would like to see the study about prostate size and incontinence.

Here is 12 week post Virtue Sling surgery update which will be the last one.

 As noted in previous posts I continue to be pretty much back to where I was before sling surgery. I was taking imipramine and it helped a little but not enough for the "different" feeling I had when taking it so I stopped. Currently using 3-4 pretty full pads perday depending on fluid intake. Unless sitting I will pretty much leak to a completely empty bladder when out and about. I leak only a a few dribbles at night after peeing so still wear a very light panty liner to catch dribbles. I will wake up every 1 1/2-3 hours to pee depending on liquids consumed. Uro has no solution for this other than "limit fluids" after 6 pm and try Detrol.

Uro suggested trying Detrol but told me it would most likely help only marginally. I tried it before sling surgery and saw no difference so nixed this idea.

I have decided to get on with life and not worry a lot about doing "little things" that might help the incontinence. I do limit the alcohol to an evening cocktail. and am completely off caffiene.

This will be my last post for this thread unless someone replies and needs a response. I intend to stay active and will most likely start a thread or two looking for new info on artificial sphincter implants (AUS) since that will be my next journey most likely sometime this winter.....after golf season.

Tall, Feel free to holler if you go the AUS route. The "leakers" here like I was before my AUS know exactly how you feel.
Wish you well.
KW

Tallguy,

I want to add my heartfelt thanks as well. My understanding of the "sling" has gotten a different perspective thanks to you. Do you know of any anatomical/physiological reasons why your results were less than anticipated? I mean, have you speculated at all on that?

Do you ever get to FL to play golf? I figure I owe you at least a round and I know all the spots to swap out all those ^($#@+% pads too.

Steve

Steve, Kelly, David and Jeff,
I appreciate all of your comments and feedback. I have found sharing on the forum to be a great help emotionally as well as useful information.
Kelly, I am definitely headed for an AUS and am just deciding when based on other things on my calendar....most likely when snow flys in Michigan.
Steve, I don't know of any anatomical or physical reason why my results were not any better. My only speculation is that my nervers could be damaged or just don't respond to much of anything. This was true from the beginning including doing kegals and trying some of the drug thearpy. No help for either incontinence or ED. I just may take you up on that golf thing.
At the time it was not really a tough call about trying the sling. I just really dreaded the thought of the AUS. In hindsight I was probably just being the eternal optomist which I think we all tend to be about this option. All of the FUDS/Urodynamics testing said I was a good candidate for sling surgery. But, I don't know of anything that tests nerves other than the ability to close the sphincter during the testing, which I could do on command. I guess my brain just does not connect with the nerves muscles when I am not really paying attention.
I honestly do not think it had anything at all to do with the type/brand of sling or the surgeon who did the implant. The Virtue should give more support based on it's design and Dr. Nitti does both tons of AdVance and has done the most Virtue slings. As noted in previous posts he did suggest that I might be better advised to go with AUS but agreed if I was willing the sling did have a good shot of success.....and I can always go back to AUS following sling and not vice versa....so here I go in a few months.
Look forward to following all of you on other threads.
Cheers!

Tallguy,

Just joined because of your recent e-mail note to me. Funny thing, Dr. Nitti is my doctor in NYC. He fixed the failed sling and two failed AMS 800 implants. He also discouraged me from getting the Coloplast Virtue sling because, even though he was a co-inventor, there was absolutely no evidence that it even worked. No positive data, no surgery was his position. That was late December 2009. Perhaps the data came in between the end of December and your experience in the beginning February 2010. Call it 45 days to be charitable. I am skeptical, and, like you, have not really received what I thought I was paying for. In my opinion, my cardiologist, my prostate surgeon, my neurologist, and my 2 urologists haven't a clue and just try what they feel like at the moment. One or all of them support each other's demands for boat payments or college tuition for their daughters with our money and a prayer.

Post Edited (PaleHorse) : 8/29/2010 7:59:27 PM (GMT-6)

PaleHorse,

I goofed, the other guy that had the Virtue Sling done by Dr. Nitti uses the name rapids on healingwell.com.