Artificial urinary sphincter

[Istomin]

Hello! I'm going to Memorial Sloan Kettering this week to consult with Dr. Jaspreet Sandhu about having the device implanted. (Here's where I am now: 26 months post radical prostatectomy; 14 months post 39 sessions of radiation; in 22nd month of Lupron out of planned 36. I've been undetectable for 12 months). After many kegels, biofeedback sessions with a specialist pelvic floor therapist, and sessions on an Emsella chair, I remain around 80% incontinent (hard to quantify, but I use a pad 24 hrs a day and go through 6 or so every day). Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Sandhu, or any advice or suggestions about the procedure? I live 2 hours away from MSK but the good local hospital (Yale New Haven/Smilow Cancer) doesn't have any surgeons who specialize in this procedure, although there is one who does it in addition to a range of other procedures with women and some men. It would be better to be near the hospital where the procedure was done if something goes wrong after it, but having it done by a real specialist is of course very important.

[j-o-h-n]

Good Thinking..... Now just make sure they install a hot and a cold spigot...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/09/2020 6:17 PM EST

[Istomin in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks, j-o-h-n! Actually, I was thinking of asking them to fill the fluid reservoir with a nice Pinot Noir rather than sterile water.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Istomin]

Now that's thinking.... (for drinking) You're a better man than me, that's for sure....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 02/10/2020 2:26 PM EST

[Rich_Rad]

Hi there.

Don’t have any info on this procedure, but generally speaking, I would totally travel to where they have much more experience.

I am being treated at Smilow currently, and although it is great, I had made the decision to have my robotic prostatectomy at Hartford Hospital with a surgeon who had done more. I ended up with an aborted prostatectomy in Dec, 2019, after he found lymph node and seminal vesicle involvement and a close proximity to rectum. His experience lead his to decide to abort, because the odds were I would have needed a colostomy. Although disappointed at first, I am grateful he took the more conservative root.

Anyway, all that to say, experience matters. If you want to connect, drop me a line here.

Rich

[Istomin in reply to Rich_Rad]

Thanks Rich_Rad--glad that your surgeon had the necessary knowledge. No question, experience is crucial!

[Hidden]

My friend has this already ... Said it was a tough procedure but This will improve your QOL over what you’re suffering today friend. Good luck !🌵

[Istomin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Whimpy-p. Do you mind saying what your friend said was tough about the procedure? (Some things I can probably imagine.)

[Hidden in reply to Istomin]

He also had a Rp and I havent . Said this was a bit harder than the RP.. but I’d say it’s a life saver once you recover. Didn’t mean to scare you . My friend is happy with it . Best of luck and recovery..

[Istomin]

Many thanks, Whimpy-p!