Going in for an AUS Tomorrow (June 30)

So, Bill, it sounds like it takes more than one squeeze to get the cuff to release and open the urethra. Maybe that's the best technique to use. At the moment, I have idea but I'm sure I'll have more thoughts to share after my AUS is activated and I get to really use it. And you can feel the cuff releasing - that's what I was wondering about.

My guess is that the cuff doesn't have a very tight grip on the urethra. So, a cough or a sneeze will squeeze some urine past the closed cuff and out of the penis. I've had that happen with my penis clamp, which just very lightly closes the urethra. I've read somewhere on the forum about how we, after the prostate is removed, lose the ability to stop urine flow during a sneeze or cough. But I don't recall the details; so maybe an expert on that will chime in to 'spain it to us again.

Well, I guess we old guys without prostates are kind of like old ladies in that we lose all shame when it comes to discussing our bodily functions.

Mike

Mike and Bill, all you need a one squeeze to open the cuff for a full stream. I am talking about one squeeze that flattens the bulb . Sure, you can squeeze it three times but it really doesn't increase your flow appreciably and it will take three times as long to re-inflate the cuff as compared to one squeeze. Ok, this covers the first chapter in learn to pee school. Later we can do a chapter on locking open and reactivation but we need to get chapter one down pat first.
Ron, Professor Pee

Hey Canuck66!!!!

I wondered what happened to you! So activation was yesterday. Welcome to the AUS Club or "I leaky no more" Club.

Isn't it a wonderful feeling?

Ron, Professor Pee,
I tend to do what the AUS paperwork says, I squeeze about 2-3 times quickly and it opens the cuff fully. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I can get it on the first squeeze. My doctor said to squeeze the controller with your index finger and thumb until they both touch each other. I guess I am still afraid of hurting myself by squeezing too hard but as Canuck66 said, it doesn't really hurt at all.
My doctor said not to deactivate it, it is not necessary. I asked him how long should the AUS last until it needs replacing. He said one of his patients has had his for 14 years. I guess we will know when the time comes when it is do for replacement.

Bill from Florida

Wow, a very interesting discussion about squeezing technique has developed since I last checked in here! I'm a bit frustrated because I can't weigh in yet from my experience. I'm still 5 weeks away from activation. But I'm sure I'll understand all once I'm there and have tried it myself. I'll have to come back and re-read this thread then.

Neo, from what you say and my experience, it sounds as though it doesn't take much pressure on the urethra to stop the flow of urine - just a very gentle pressure. It would be nice to go back to the time when a sneeze or cough didn't produce a spurt of pee but I realize that's not in the cards. As my wife told me, "welcome to the club!" She said a great many ladies our age (including her), especially those who've had hysterectomies have the same problem. So I don't think she'd be too thrilled if technology allowed me to quit the club and leave her still in it.

I intend to learn how to deactivate the device in case I ever need to but I don't plan to routinely deactivate/activate it on my own. I'm going to follow my urologist's instructions to the tee and thus avoid any lectures from the fellow the next time I sit down in front of him. I don't foresee any circumstances where it may be necessary but, as we know, life is full unknowns and surprises. Best to be ready for them probably.

I hadn't thought ahead to how long these devices last. If mine lasts 14 years, then that will probably get me into senility and I won't care anyway. But if I'm still alive and of sound mind, I'll probably go back to full pads rather than go through another surgery to replace it (if that's possible).

Mike

Hi Paul, it's good to have you here and sharing your experience with us. I wish you didn't have be here, as all of us here wish we weren't here either. But the HW forum is a great place to talk about things we wouldn't be talking about with anyone else, except our spouses. You gain insight and feel better when you can unload to others who understand what you're going through.

I feel lucky in at least getting PCa later in life, when body parts begin to malfunction anyway. I know how you feel because we've had similar experiences. When I got my diagnosis, I knew I probably faced a lifetime of ED, even with nerve-sparing and despite the fact I was still fully functional up to the day of the surgery. I really hadn't expected the continued incontinence or that I would not be able to fix it through kegels and pelvic floor rehab. Dealing with the constant leaking no matter what I did was fairly devastating ... and would have been more so if I had still been working as you are. The AUS was my last resort if I wanted to recover any of my previous quality of life.

So, for my part, you're very welcome if any of this discussion helps you deal with your incontinence. I truly hope the kegels, PT, walking and other things help you reduce your level of leaking. If they don't, then you know that the AUS is available as a solution. And you know the kinds of questions you'll have if you get an AUS one day. It's not a perfect solution but it's the best one available to us heavy leakers who have tried everything else. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out to your satisfaction!

Mike

Hi Guys,

I'm still leaking too, 6 months post Da Vinci, but not as bad as you Paul. Send me an e mail, I'm off for the summer now, and would be happy to drive up north to talk to you from Utica. I think, after much data collection, I'm right there in the Worried Guy range for the Advance Sling. I spoke to my Uro last week, and he still thinks I have more progress to go with improving my incontinence. Still early on I guess, at 53 years old. ED sucks, but getting dry is more important right now. Great news, is that my 6 month post op PSA is less than 0.04, the lowest they can detect at my groups lab in Syracuse. Hang tough all, I'm not going to let this get me down, wish I would have purchased stock in Depends Pads though!!! Bob

Hi Bob,

Both Paul and you are less than a year since losing your prostates; so you two do have time to get some improvement through kegels and/or pelvic floor rehabilitation. I remember when I was at that stage of recovery and believing that I was going to be dry before my first anniversary because the statistics led me to think so. But some (maybe many) of us don't. Judging from the number of posters to this forum regarding incontinence, maybe the percentage is much larger than the stats suggest. Like you, my incontinence is a much bigger problem than my ED. I've found a work-around for the ED using a VED and trimix and have accepted I'll never have natural erections again. My wife and I still enjoy intimate relations - just a little differently than before

But nature conspired against me on the incontinence. For whatever reason(s), a strong pelvic floor made little difference in my leaking. After 2 1/2 years of incontinence, I realized I was going to need a sling or AUS if I wanted to be dry again. It's a sobering realization to come to but again I had to accept what I couldn't change. So, I opted for the AUS. I hope it works when my urologist activates it in early August!

Mike

Though I leak a bit here and there. I am a very active person. I own a furniture operation in North Houston, lift furniture, squat, run, bend over. So I put a lot of activity on the device.

However, I can be sitting at my chair, 2 hour mark (now I drink a fair amount of water) and if I get up, I put some pressure on the device, my pad will be fairly soaked by the time I get to the bathroom.

My Ford Expedition has a crown in the middle of the seat. Right where the cuff is. I have to sit slightly to the side.

It is a situation I can control and anticipate to some degree. But also have to void the bladder more often.

I also have a NEOBLADDER which does not really stretch. Nor do I feel the urgency to pee. Once it fills up, it wants to come out. So it can override the Neo-bladder.

I seldom wet my pants, but I have. I never worry about it. I am happy happy happy!!

NEO

I saw my urologist this morning and he examined my incisions. He noticed (as I had also) I still had some swelling and edema in the pubic area where he placed the balloon/reservoir but he said that would eventually resolve itself. In any case, he was satisfied with what he saw and we scheduled my activation for August 20 at 9:00 am. So, things are proceeding nicely! And I'm looking forward to joining the "activated" club in the near future!

Mike

Bill, I'm glad your AUS is working out so well for you. I hope mine is as successful when I get it turned on. I'm only disappointed that it's going to take more than 6 weeks from my surgery to activate it. My urologist is out of town in early August and the 20th is the earliest he can do it.

My urologist intends to make sure I know how to operate my AUS before I leave his office. He told his staff to schedule my appointment early in the day to give me ample time to be comfortable with it. I got a 9:00 a.m. appointment; so that gives me all day to fiddle with it.

Mike