Ams800 in Canada

luvgrub,

I'm not a canuck so I can't speak to your medical establishment question but I can tell you that I am relatively happy with my AMS800. It's not perfect -- I still leak a bit -- but I can fit my pads for a day in my pants pockets and I don't have to drag around a bag of diapers any more. I can't tell you how liberating that is.

So, I'm not Canadian but good luck with your AMS800, eh?

I was told to expect at least 7 years before a revision/replacement may be needed. I am down from 4-5 soaked pads per day to only a minimal 1-2 ml drippage. Even during strenuous backpacking. Major quality of life changer for me! Enjoy the technology...

pasayten

Post op was a breeze... Overnight stay in the hospital with catheter... Then they pulled it and sent me home. They even cleared me to drive if needed as long as I was not taking the narcotic pain pills. They had glued my incisions and I could shower after 48 hours. Never did take a pain pill besides tylenol. You will be taking antibiotics for a week or so. Leakage was actually less for awhile after the operation because of swelling in the general area. Was back to normal leakage after swelling went down. Then I just had to wait the 6 weeks until activation.

pasayten

I do not mean to discourage you, but neither my surgery nor my recovery have been a "breeze". The surgeon left me on a gurney for three hours while he did another operation on someone he moved ahead of me. The first revision was only two weeks after the original implant, and during that period I had a Foley catheter the entire time. And the revision surgery left me with severe pain in my groin and left leg.

The primary purpose for getting the implant was so that I can proceed with SRT. The AUS experience has been such a nightmare that following completion of SRT I will consider removal of the device. Just so that each side of the coin is equally represented here. Of course, it took nearly five years for my PCa to be recognized and treated... why should my SRT be any easier?

The device is scheduled to be activated in ten days. The revision pushed the entire calendar back by several weeks. I may come to enjoy the freedom and soften my cynicism. I hope so. Everything was supposed to be so simple, but something told me it all sounded too easy... that little voice in your head that shouts "danger!"

I had become accustomed to using condom caths and leg bag. I've had ten months of practice. If the surgeon cannot give me a straight answer regarding this pain then I will have to weight the discomfort against the inconvenience of incontinence... which I also realize may worsen following SRT.

Of course, my experience is not typical. There are many guys who have an easy recovery and are satisfied with the outcome. Of course, there are also guys whose PCa is diagnosed from a DRE and they get their G6 treated without incident. Mine has been more of a struggle. Again, not typical, which makes me wonder what I may have done in a previous life to have deserved this.