AUS 800

Well, here goes nothing?

As you know I have been leaking since RALP 11-12-13, about 6 pads a day or more did all the inncontenance diaries measuring everything weighing pads, measuring urine etc did this for multiple days a few times to give the URO a broad view of my daily issues. Since I went through SRT bad in OCT-DEC '14, and my bladder doesn't hold as much as it should and I am leaking more than 300 g per day they suggest I go forward with the installation of AUS 800. I have read most of everyone's posts about the device, just wanted to get a little more reassurance that this is the best course of action before I pull the trigger? I know it is, but hear the possible issues, the thing will have to be replaced 5-10 years later...the long healing proccess etc... And makes you take pause...

Just hoping for some of you success stories to cheer me on..

They did every test known to man today, everything looks good inside was actually kind of cool to watch them move the camera around inside, and felt way better than the two cats I had in just prior to that!

Thanks in advance for your responses...going to call and get things scheduled tomorrow...just need to find the least bad date to do it? We have 1 kid graduating HS in a month, then two back to college in AUG...And have lots to do in the summer really is no good time but am ready to be dry!

Paul,

You are doing the right thing. Once it is activated, you will wonder why you waited so long. I was leaking for 22 MONTHS!

It is kind of like when you decided to have surgery to have your prostate removed. Once you set the surgery date, a load was lifted off your shoulders.

The only disappointing thing is after it is installed, you have to wait 6 weeks for the swelling to go down before it gets activated. After that, all you will need is 1 thin shield all day for an occasional drip.

My surgeon said 10-12 years before a replacement may be needed.

For me, the first couple of weeks after the surgery I was swollen and the lower incision was sometimes uncomfortable when you sat down. If I were you, I would set the surgery for just after the HS graduation. Then you will be dry by the time you take the others to college. Yeah!!

I have a pretty long thread I posted last year at this time about how my surgery went. If you can't find it, I'll send you the link but I think you read it. In that thread, you will find out another use for frozen peas!

Ready to welcome you to the "drip no more club".

Bill from Florida

Paul, I'll echo what Big Mac said. He was a few months ahead of me but we both had the AMS 800 implanted last year. It was not a trivial decision for me because I realized it would be in me for the rest of life. I tried everything: a year or more of Kegels and almost a year of pelvic floor rehab but still couldn't get below 400ml of leakage per day. I didn't want a mechanical device put in me but I couldn't get my leaking down to an amount that a sling would take care of. And I was SO tired of leaking - swapping out soaked pads for dry ones just dominated my daily life, planning my activities so that I'd be in a good place when it was time to change.

So, I finally gave in and got the AUS. And I'm very glad I did. For one thing, the recovery time was easier than I thought it would be (easier for me than recovering from the RALP surgery). Waiting for the activation date can be a bit agonizing but the time went by pretty fast. But, best of all, the AUS has gotten me back close to a normal life. The big difference is squeezing a small bulb to pee instead of relaxing a sphincter muscle. Using a public urinal was sort of awkward at first but eventually I figured it out and have no problem now. Everyone's experience will probably be a bit different but mine has been pretty smooth. I wear a shield in my briefs to catch drips and dribbles and can usually get by with only one all day. At night, I don't wear a shield at all and have had no problems. So, I have no regrets about my decision. I hope your experience is just as smooth if not better than mine.

Mike

Glad you are moving forward, brother.

Bob

Glad to hear from you we actually have a cottage off the peirpoint manner exit 40 on Lake Ontario we spend the first week of July down there, I'll be the one licking my wounds...we are just north of watertown otherwise...Llyods of Lowville anytime

Here's hoping your recovery will be uneventful and quick and NOT full of pain and suffering. Everyone is different, but the AUS was much easier to recover from than the RRP. DH was dry immediately because of swelling. That was a welcome surprise. When the swelling went down, the dripping began again but it was short lived. Such an improvement in the quality of life!

10 days from today and in goes my new device..AMS 800 AUS. It is kind of ironic that this surgery will be 19 months to the day from my original RALP Surgery. I am excited to get this installed and six weeks later get things back to dryness and somewhat of a normal life. I will start a new thread next week to conical my journey and progress with this new adventure, thanks for all the support!

Paul,
I will be anxious to follow your progress. It has been 1 year now and I am SO HAPPY I had the AUS installed. Very little leakage now, I have actually gotten even better these past 90 days. Light pad gets slightly damp, nothing at all over night.

Believe me, you WILL get used to squeezing the pump quickly and it will be second nature to you soon. I have caught myself about 3 times standing at the toilet waiting to pee and thinking, "Oh yeah, I have to squeeze first".

Bill from Florida

I am coming up on three months and my AUS is something of a mixed bag. I have to admit I had hoped it would work better. I leak between 25 and 100 ml per day. I still have to wear guards. So I am not dry. *sigh*

BUT...

One pad a day is always enough. I can confidently set out to do most anything without needing spare pads in my pocket. It's surprising how much of an improvement that is.

Good advice Neo thanks!