2 slings no luck, just got an AUS

Hi everyone, just wanted to share my post-prostatectomy adventures. Had RRP about 8 years ago, but never regained continence, always needing 1 to 4 pads a day depending on activity level. To fix this, I underwent not one but two sling procedures. Both times the slings worked for a while, but then things went back to the way they was before. I think the apparent success came from the inflammation that occurred just after the surgery; this actually helped quite a bit. But when the swelling went down, I started to drip again.

Finally, after some really bad days with running to the bathroom every 30 minutes, wet underwear, and all the rest, I gave in and had the AMS 800 implanted six weeks ago (Dr. Ronald Benoit, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh). Recovery from the surgery was very quick, much faster than recovering from the slings. One night in the hospital, then I went home and didn't need any pain meds at all. Scrotum swelling disappeared in a week or so. I was playing active sports within 2 weeks with almost no pain.

Today, six weeks after the AMS implant, I went to see the doctor and he squeezed the device REALLY HARD to activate it. I went home, and noticed that the drips and dribbles had stopped. Three hours after seeing the doctor, I went to the bathroom, squeezed the little critter in my scrotum (I think of it as my "third ball"), and presto -- a reasonable amount of pee came out!

So... too soon to give a long term report. But so far, so good! I'll try to post again sometime later.

Post Edited (j53) : 8/16/2018 11:42:22 AM (GMT-6)

Hi j53

Glad your AUS surgery went will. I will have AUS surgery on April 10th. I am currently using 5 to 7 pads a day. Keep us informed on your progress.

E.T.

It's now 1 week since the doc activated my AUS, and so far I'm a happy camper! Learning how to use the thing was actually pretty easy. I was a little bit worried about having to squeeze a device that was in my scrotum, but after a couple of days i overcame the "eek" factor, and it's now pretty easy, something I can even do standing up at a urinal. The little thing is located just to the right of the base of my penis and maybe an inch lower, so it's easy to reach in and squeeze with the right hand while aiming with my left. Not much squeezing force is required to release the cuff, just a couple of medium-strength squeezes seems to do it. No pain or discomfort at all.

Most important, I'm completely dry. I kept using pads for 2 days just to be sure, but then I stopped completely. Today I went through the house, my car, my gym bag and other strategic locations, collecting all those pads and spare underwear that I'd cached for emergencies. Gonna donate them to a local nursing home or something...

So, it's just been a week, but so far, so good! Hope to give another update in 1 month.

Good news. Glad it's working for you,
Andrew

I had 2 slings still leaking 2 pads a day when standing up sitting down dry go back to work in April first sling in Nov 2018 was to tight got it loosen up Then slipped second sling Feb 2019 dry sitting down for to go as soon as I stand up leaking if I stand up to long doctor in Nashville he said he don't like them aus he thinks it's a waste,after reading your story seem the sling is the waste.