Vacuum pumps- worth it?

This week, due to my ED from prostate surgery, I am picking up a $400 vacuum pump from my doctor.  Does anyone know if these work well? My doctor suggested I also use a Viagra tablet and warming gel.  Thanks, Cowboy Bob

(and hello to my old friends; I haven't been on here for awhile).

Some women are able to duplicate the action of the pump for far less than $400..

While yes it is true that oral sex (I suppose that is your point) can be acheived, a woman cannot gain and maintain an erection suitable for sexual relations, in the usual manner.

"Some of those Keno girls can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch...<Willie Nelson>

Regardless of the random comments about chrome and trailer hitches, some of us are partner-less and using the tools for the intended rehab purposes.

Yes, the pump works (for me). And I did get insurance to cover it (after three months of appeals).The scary part is that you see a critter you remember, but when you hit the button, it all goes flat too fast.

(The gel is needed to seal off the pump /tube. Be sure and use only water-based, lest the pump get "balled up", and the guarantee not cover it).

After a battle with the ins. co., I get 8 20 mg. cialis per month that I cut up to get a ~5 mg per day dose. It does accomplish something, but having had the nerves clipped, it is less than what I hope for.

Perfect timing! 

I just ordered a pump on Sunday.   My Doctor recommends it, says he's tried it himself and it works great.  He said it is great theropy to get things working, I'll see.   I'm not really interested in drugs.

No hint of an erection since RRP (07/16/2010), the memory is there but no action, feeling great otherwise. 

Meryle

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Age: 50 in good health other than PC
weight: 170
height: 5' 10''
No symptoms to speak of, Prostate not enlarged
PSA 10.4

Samples taken mid-April, 6 out of 12 samples cancer
1) gleason score 3+4 involving 30% Right Base
2) gleason score 3+4 involving 40% Right Mid
3) gleason score 4+4 involving 50% Right Apex

Bone scan clean except a 1 mm spot on left scapula
CT scan clean

Biopcy of Scapula was negative, Doctor says good/bad news, we want to watch it.

07/16/2010 - Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) 1 nerve spared @ MCR, Loveland, CO
07/18/2010 - Home
07/20/2010 - JP Drain removed
07/26/2010 - X-Ray/Catheter removal (10 days)
07/26/2010 - Pathology: Gleason 4+3=7 Staged pT2cNOMX,
             Seminal Vesicles and Lymph Nodes clear, Surgical Margins Negative
08/26/2010 - 1st Post Op (6 week) PSA .03, DR. hopes for zero, next test in 3 months
09/02/2010 - 7 week Post Op, Climbed Long's Peak (14,259 ft), 16 hrs, 7.5 miles to summit,

4850 ft elevation gain.  Made it!, Good Test!
09/14/2010 - Still at two pads a day, (down hill hiking increases gravity and leakage)  
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Yes, in a word, pumps are a great idea. Two things: daily therapy keeps tissue healthier than if you don't pump. this keeps loss of size to a minimum. Second, if you can master the process, which takes practice, it is a great tool to have in your arsenal. There are times that drugs or injections just aren't the best. So, learn to use a pump and you can have huge success....pun intended.
Paul

Hey Cowboy Bob,

I, too, thought $400 was too much for a pump so I made my own super sucker out of a plastic Guldens mustard jar. I slit a piece of tygon tubing lengthwise to cover the mouth end and make a seal, and used an automotive vacuum pump for suction. When I was bench testing the empty device, as I evacuated the chamber suddenly the container collapsed on itself. Good thing there was nothing in it! Can you imagine explaining that in the emergency room? Yikes!

Proud owner of an Augusta Medical Device for $400. It pumps it up but let's it down faster than a Maury Povich show DNA test result. Dang!

Jeff

You can built your own if you come to GFMPH next weekend. A glass tube would be stronger. On second thought....

Thank you, Worried Guy and NY Oklahoma Guy!

Reachout,

I bought a pump and used it in the beginning with good  success.  But when I started to read about VEDs and penile rehab, I started to use it less and currently do not use it at all (after 1.5 years theres been some healing!).

Dr. Mulhall kind of sums up what I read in various sources (see his book,"Saving Your Sex Life", p.104). If I understand correctly VEDs do not bring much fresh (oxygenated) blood into the penis; therfore, the oxygen content may not be very high when compared to the pill or injections.  It probably isn't the only thing you should use if you are focusing on penile rehab. For other things it's great ... even if its just a good stretch.

Mullhall may also cover VEDs in his four part lecture on ED. at:

www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/94910.cfm

 

Fairwind- Hey, I'd never heard that. I'll give it a try! Thanks!

If you want an expert on VED's talk to the folks at USAMediquip.com. John Marchello there is an expert. He has purchased and reviewed every brand of pump there is. He has solutions for any problem you have. I spent two hours with him and was stunned at the knowledge this man has accumulated in this field. There is no one even close to his expertise. They carry a line that they have tested and like.
But, my favorite is Firma Medical firmamedical.com They have the best support I have ever seen. Online help, phone help, Ask Allison is their therapist for women partners. Their video is the only one that shows every aspect of pumping - even the removal of the ring. It is a live model, not a stupid cartoon.
I will say, I have found the pump world to be a pretty sleazy, cut throat place, believe it or not. Most of them just want to make the sale at any cost.
Paul