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how to activate ams 800

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Posted 7/4/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I need to activate my ams 800, implanted 4 weeks ago (2nd time around after first done ten years ago; this new one has a 2nd cuff). My doc is out of town, I told him I could do it myself, he said ok. The AMS instructions are vague on this. I tried a couple of forceful jabs on the pump, but that didn't do it. Apparently I first need to firmly squeeze the sides together next to the deactivate button. AMS says u need to squeeze for "several minutes", but I find that hard to believe based on how quickly I've seen docs activate these devices. So how do u know when you've squeezed enough?
Posted 7/4/2015 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
In theory the squeezy bulb part changes shape when it is activated. An AMS 800 that is deactivated will have the squeezy bulb sucked in concave, and when you activate it the bulb will fill up with fluid and round out.

I have never personally activated (or deactivated) my 800 -- the surgeon left it deactivated when he put it in and he activated it at my 6 week checkup. But I do remember that the instructions mention squeezing the sides of the rectangular part together really hard for several seconds. The instructions mention that it might be uncomfortable and it was. It took the doctor several minutes to get the valve to pop open.
Posted 7/5/2015 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
OK, the squeezing the sides helps to bypass the valve so the reservoir press can fully inflate the bulb, if the bulb is not fully or near fully inflated you will not be able to pop the valve open. So have some patience and follow the instructions. You should be feeling the bulb "plump" out so that the flat part of the bulb is not concave. It may not that that long depending on now flat the bulb is now, if it is really flat then the several minutes are in order. Remember the after you pee it can a few minutes for the bulb to fill and the cuff to re inflate, same in this situation
Posted 7/13/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
My card I carry says ""to Restore continence, give the lower part of the pump on strong sustained squeeze"

The lower part is the part we daily squeeze, not the button on the upper end (which is used only to deactivate the pump)

I think that is all you do!

NEO
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