AMS-800 AUS (artifical urinary sphincter)

I am almost four years out of RP and IMRT.  I have stress incontinence which interferes with my everyday life, especially my sex life.(Climacturia) or urinating at time of orgasm.  I saw my Uro yesterday and he suggested the AMS-800 AUS for my condition.  I am contemplating having the surgery but I need some input from some of the guys who have had one installed and their satisfaction with it.  The AMS website says that they have a 92% satisfaction rate after 10yrs which would make me 79.  I am also concerned if the device fails. Will it possibly keep my spinchter closed and cause a medical emergency?  Any input would be greatly appreciated. 

I got mine put in jan 2011. Mine really works well and if it breaks i will get it fixed. I give it a big thumbs up. However, things will be different, you won't be able to pee ,at all, unless you open the sphincter (cuff). But, you soon get used to that. If something breaks in my mind this would likely be some type of rupture or leak and it will fail open. If something else happens and the cuff stays inflated and you can't open it, then a small incision in your scrotum and snip the tube that goes to the cuff and it should open. That does not sound good but at least the temporary fix to allow you to void is quick and easy. But, I think these devices are pretty durable and I don't give all that much thought to failure. I also got the AMS 700 IPP put in at the same time and that works good too.
How good does this AUS work? and do I leak. I basically have zero leakage, but most days i do leak a few drops because when I sit in certain chairs the pressure from sitting deflates the cuff a bit (cuff is delfated slightly and therefore opens the sphincter a little) as soon as the pressure is removed the cuff begins to refill. I can pretty much guarantee you will not leak during sex unless you are sitting on the cuff. In case you don't know how it operates, you will have completly natural urge to urinate and when you want to urinate, just give the bulb in your scrotum one squeeze and pee. The cuff will slowly close automatically in about 1-2 minutes or 2-3 minutes if you squeezed it more than once. The pump in my scrotum is very small and compared to the IPP pump I don't even notice it being there, the IPP pump you notice! My doctor told me that sitting on it any kind of way should not damage it, even riding a narrow bycycle seat shouldn't hurt it. But if you don't use a special bike seat, you will leak. Since I had the IPP implanted at the same time, I can't tell you excatly how much pain will be associated with the AUS but my guess is not much, just sitting will be an issue for a one or two weeks. I am pretty sure you will like this device, once you have it you will wonder why you waited so long. I had my AUS installed 13 months after RPP and it was a great relief.
My doctor does the installation a little different than some, he does a 3" vertical pubic incision just above the pubic bone to install the resevoiur and then does the scrotal incision to put the cuff and pump in. Some doctors just do a scrotal incision but this requires then to blindly install the reseviour which he does not do. I had no problem with the way he did it.
Well, that's about it.
Ron

Ditto what the other guys said. I have had my AUS for 18 months and it works great. I have posted a bunch of stuff on my journey and you can find the threads in my profile below. I have not heard of anyone have a failure of an AUS AMS 800, It is a very reliable device and if you are a leaker it will give you your life back. Some guys are happy with slings but I went that route first and it was no help to me. Make sure you go through all of the FUDS testing to make sure which you are the best candidate for. Don't hesitate to take your time, get a lot of opinions and above all be willing to travel if necessary to have you proceedure done by someone that does several of these per day and a good history of success.

Thanks guys for all your helpful input.  I guess I will be getting mine soon.  My Uro has been doing this surgey since it first came out sometime in the 80's. 

Tallguy, my thoughts about Dr. Latini exactly. I am going to miss her. I have one more follow appointment with her in December. I had a good expereince at Loma Linda with the combined proton therapy and radiation, but no one personality stood out. Dr. Latini will always remain as the singular face I will identify with as the highlight of my cancer treatment.

Bootheel, from the name i would guess you are from New Mexico and use the name that is characteristic of that part of NM? Just guessing.

And I bet you your doc is not as pretty as Dr. Latini, but I do confess, a lot of her beauty is also her personality.
I have a freind who is planning on visiting Dr Latini aftr the holidays.

Or Bootheel could be the bootheal of Missouri. The state of my home domicile.

Thanks for all the help and vauable information on the AUS. By the way, I Live in Rodeo, New Mexico.(Land of Enchantment)

I have had my Aus 800 activated since Mar 2011.

I was incontinent for 10 years with last 6 month Sept to March pure hell with incontinence

I am like the other guys have some drips and some of it depends on chair as well as how much I drink water.

I noticed that some drinks tend to make me pee more than others

I am now 60 so it was the best thing I ever did.  I do have some drips but dependent on day sometimes use lite panty liner.

Lifting weights and some of the Y machines hit the button almost perfectly so wear pad then just in case.

My suggestion is do it.

Making love I do not squirt but because of ED use the ring and pump

Good Luck, I don't think you will look back if you get the device.

I did Cleveland Clinic - Dr Montague ( who was doing about 6-9/wk as outpatient)

Drug man,
You should certainly get another opinion!