I am a good candidate for a AUS implantation so I am told....I am trying to decide if i should have this surgery after being incontinent for a year and a half. Would the community be so kind as to help me make this decision? If you had it done are you happy with the results and any advice in moving forward? Is there anything you know now that you wished you had known before the surgery?
Thank you very much in advance,
Mark
I had it done last June, activated in August. It’s not for faint of heart. It’s truly a 7 week recovery. Post surgery and prior to the AMS 800 being activated you’ll still be incontinent. I’m happy with the results, but still need a pad or two per day. Good luck.
Thanks....I have heard that the first few weeks post op can be very uncomfortable. Are you pretty much confined to a chair for those first few weeks??
Thanks.
The first week or so is uncomfortable. No exertion or swimming for 7 weeks. Walking is ok.
Thanks!
DH had AUS surgery 9 years ago with the AMS 800. It is life changing surgery and really improved his quality of life. Interestingly enough, you may find that many health care professionals are not familiar with the procedure.
Did you have radiation also by any chance?
Yes. Prostatectomy, then PT for incontinence, then radiation. AUS surgery 3 months after completion of radiation. Dr. said it was very unlikely to regain continence after radiation, but this was 9 years ago. Techniques have probably changed since then.
I had the implant done a couple years ago and it works just well. I didn't have any problems after the implant was done I did not have incontinence. It also has the benefit of keeping anything from shrinking due to atrophy. I was 79 years old when I had that done.
Thanks you...question, did you have radiation by any chance?
Yes in 2011 38 EBRT (Tomo) External Beam Radiation Therapy and Tomo Image Guided Guided. All to lymph nodes on left side.
I have had IMRT so its good to hear that you have been successful. Thanks.
I have had one for a little over 2 years and am very happy with it. The recovery was not particularly painful or difficult. True that it is not perfect, but for someone who has been through long term heavy incontinence it’s so good that it hardly matters. Highly recommended.
Thanks London, I've been totally incontinent for a year and a half and while I can deal with it using pads, a clamp and an exteranl catheter, I'm getting tired ot it. I swore I would never have another urological surgery if I could help it but I've slowly changed my mind about this one. I've had radiation so that's why I'm a bit more hesitant. I do have a doctor who has a lot of experience with them.
I have had two AUS implants. Long story on the first one which was done with a local surgeon with “a lot of experience”. Problems developed. Second AUS was done at Duke and the experience has been really good. Only thing I would have done differently is gone to Duke, or a comparable place, initially. For me, after having had a prostatectomy in 2010, AUS surgery was a piece of cake…not painless, but easier. Wishing you the best!
I've had an RP, radiation, the whole lot and incontinent for 4 1/2 years and sick of it. I even changed my insurance to the more expensive option with a lower deductible to get an AUS but my doctor suggested we try physical therapy one more time, which I did.
More kegals blah blah, but I also happened to mention I drink Crystal Lite throughout the day. She said that can be a bladder irritant, maybe cut it out or at least cut down.
I did, and I am no longer incontinent. It's iffy, but I don't need to wear a pad around the house as long as a bathroom is nearby, and I do wear one when I go out - and it's usually dry.
It's a bit of a miracle actually, I would not have expected that something as simple as Crystal Lite was the problem but apparently it was. It is SUCH a relief to not be in a fricking soaked pad all day. I'm glad I took my doc's recommendation. I really didn't want that contraption inside me anyway.
Now I just have to pay the expensive insurance option for the rest of the year because I jumped the gun a little, but I guess I'm okay with that. I occasionally have a little slip, just enough to piss ya off, but for the most part I'm bone dry. I'm pretty thrilled.
I looked into this surgery as well did some research. What my research revealed was confirmed by my urologist. It appears that a AUS is meant to take men from diapers to pads, not take them from pads and make them dry. This is what the research then I attach concludes. My urologist also stated his opinion with my very low level of leakage that I would not benefit from a AUS. Check this out
healthunlocked.com/active-s...
I am also incontinent. Level of leakage is very low and most of my problem is while I’m doing heavy yardwork or strenuous exercise. Otherwise it’s controlled at 20 or 25 cc max. I also had radiation, which makes me an ineligible for a sling, and can cause complications like erosion of the urethra if I used an artificial spinster. I don’t know your situation, but this is mine.
…if I knew that one would work, I would give it a try. But I am afraid of another surgery only to wind up with complications or leakage in any event. So.Let us know what you decide and how it works. Rick
Totally agree...this is what I have read also. My leakage is at least 5 pads a day depending on how much urine I can stand in a pad at any one time. If it brings me down to 1 pad a day I will be much better off than I am now. I think much depends on your doctor and how experienced they are.
When I went back to work several months after RP surgery (I worked in maintenance), I would soak 8-10 maxi pads a day. Couldn't hold even a quarter cup, it was bad. Surgery was back in Jan 2019 and it took a long time to get better. I had given up hope, kegals didn't do much though I've always been in decent shape. Now, 4 1/2 years later, I'm essentially dry.
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