For the first time in probably eight years, I am padless this afternoon! After my RRP surgery nearly ten years ago, I recovered continence pretty quickly. Over time and with further treatments, that changed--first with afternoon incontinence and eventually to being a 24/7 pad user with my daily number of pads increasing.
I've known for a while about the availability of artificial urinary sphincters, but I was not eager for another surgery. Then last summer I was forced into gallbladder surgery. I tolerated that well and recovered quickly, and that was the impetus I needed to screw up my courage to pursue an AUS. I started the process in the fall and got sign-off by October. I scheduled the surgery for late February right after I returned from a vacation. The surgery was uneventful. The post-operative swelling and pain were worse than I expected, but the recovery went well, and I did not get any infections. That had been one of my big concerns given the locations of the incisions.
Today I returned to my surgeon's office for a checkup and activation. I wore a pad home, and when I got here it was completely dry. Dry! So I've gone the past couple of hours without a pad. Honestly, after all this time, it's a bit of an odd feeling. But it's also exhilarating. So now I'll go order a split seat for my bike and look forward to resuming biking in a couple of weeks.
For anyone considering the surgery, I have no reservation in recommending my surgeon, Dr. Arthur Burnett, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
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YostConner
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great feeling! I'll never be "permanently padless" again, I guess, but after sling surgery I only use one pad a day and can spend time in the morning, when the muscles aren't tired, without a pad (or be in my bathrobe without underwear--freedom!)
Hey Yost, if l live as long as you, will my incontinence get bad where I need pads 24/7 too?
I am getting used to heading for the toilet every 2 hours and when I do go to pee, I practice stopping and let going my pee for a few times . I wonder if it will get worse so that I will need to head for the toilet every 1 hour and eventually need a pad.
Geez, I gotta appreciate the side effects that I have from now on.
Wilfred, hopefully things won't get worse for you. I have a pretty aggressive cancer, and we've hit it hard. Over the years, it just took a toll. If I were more fit, maybe it would have been slower, but who knows? We're all different. It sounds like you're on the right track.
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Good news at last 
Why is Jevtana used as one of the last options for the cancer?
Good while it lasted
PSA 0.01 Undetectable at last !!!
Lost the battle last night
