1 week since robotic prostatectomy and totally incontinent. Doing some research on incontinent assist products and came across the penile clamp.
These products seem to provide enough control so you can at least get to the bathroom before your bladder empties on the floor. My question is has anyone tried these products and are they safe and effective?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
I was told--can't verify it--that because a penile clip makes it unnecessary for you to try to control the impotence with your own muscles that it can actually slow down your incontinence recovery. I only used one a few times when I had to appear in public and wanted to be sure to have control for some length of time. I didn't like the way it felt anyway.
I've used the Johnson Medical "J-clamp", which is no longer available. All penile clamps reduce blood flow to the penis, and I limited myself to 90-minute periods of use.
If you're really incontinent (that is, pads aren't enough), I suggest a condom catheter, and leg bag. It's inexpensive (leg bag is re-usable, the condom catheters aren't expensive), and shouldn't reduce blood flow. You can empty the bag into any toilet. I've gone hiking with that arrangement, and it let me get outside and walk (and sit through concerts) shortly after surgery.
Yes, it's best to do Kegel exercises and develop your pelvic-floor muscles. But you have to live while you're doing that!
. Charles
Charles thank you so much for this information. I know it has been less than 2 weeks since my surgery but because of total incontinence I am becoming attached to my recliner and I don't want my world to be shrinking; that's why I need some aid and the one you suggested appears to fit the bill. I am not looking for quick fixes as I am aware that recovery will take awhile. Doing Kegel religiously and I know I have to fight the impatience I'm sure we all go through.
Stay well and many thanks
Had RP in early Dec 2017, which resulted in complete incontinence. With Kegels and healing, that improved by about 25% by Feb 2018. I could begin to control outflow long enough to get to the toilet at home. I was using Depends AND Guards, and a bamboo, all-around, waterproof mattress cover as well as a washable mattress pad (about 3 x 5 ft) and disposable pads (about 60 x 90 cm) on top of that. By March/April it seemed I had reached a plateau. I began researching additional solutions to complement, to alternate away from the Depends and matttress pads and disposable pads that I had to put on whetever chair I sat on. The two aids I opted for were a Weisner penile clamp, and a condom-like disposable external catheter system by Coloplast. Many urologists discourgage the use of both because they "unconsiously" make us underuse our retention muscles and reflexes and prolong the incontinence.
Coming to your point, I found the Weisner clamp mostly, though not 100% effective in stopping urine escape. Its efficacy depended on the degree of movement and body position - the most uncertain being in sitting positions. I used the clamp along with a diaper for a tame evening's outing for example, and would always remove it when coming home.
HOWEVER, apart from its flow restriction efficacy, I do not recommend using a clamp because my experience is that it did damage the penis sponge chambers, and the compression on the urethra was not a good idea. These are highly ennervated parts of the body and after only three weeks of intermittent use, I discontinued its use. I cannot prove it, but I think its use contributed to less sensitivity in the penis and made the ED worse.
Best of luck on this road. There are many twists an turns ahead 
I think it's too early to look at a penile clamp. Only one week postop? Give yourself time. Do the kegel exercises regularly. I had incontinence for about 2 months (requiring 1 pad a day), then it gradually improved to where I am 99% continent.
Jeff thanks for the encouragement - at times you feel like life will never be as it was - i have to continue to be positive and focus on how far i have come since diagnosis 3.5 months ago.
Stay well!
It is a "life changing event" for sure, so in some respects it will never be the same. But it can still be good. I admit struggling to be positive, especially since this was my second cancer diagnosis (not related)! Some people go their entire lives cancer-free, and some get it twice, three times, and more.
What I did (this was ten years ago, things may have changed):
a) use a condom catheter _without adhesive_ -- you need the right size. "Right size" means it fits your penis diameter -- not too loose, not too tight.
The adhesive catheters I tried, would make a perfect seal against the penis. But they _really hurt_ when it was time to remove them. I haven't tried any of the "new generation", they might be better.
b) Get some 3M "Coban" surgical tape, 1" wide. That tape is very flexible, and sticks to itself very well, and sticks _gently_ to skin. Vets use a lot of it, to make flexible bandage wraps.
c) Put on the condom catheter, and wrap three turns of Coban tape around the top -- half on the skin, half on the condom. Stretch the tape _gently_, so it doesn't cut off circulation.
I found that to be comfortable, and effective. No leakage, and no falling-off-the-penis. Looking through Amazon.com, I can't find any _non-adhesive_ condom catheters. So you might have to use adhesive condoms, and forget about the Coban tape.
The leg bag ties onto your calf. just below the knee. Rubber (or flexible vinyl) tubing runs from the end of the condom catheter, to your thigh (you might tape it in place), into the leg bag. Wear boxer shorts, _not_ jockey shorts; there must be no kinks in the tubing.
You can get free samples of Coloplast "Conveen" condom catheters -- they're worth trying.
I hope this helps. If you Google:
youtube.com condom catheter
you'll get lots of instructional videos -- each brand seems to have one.
. Charles
One trick I found:
If the adhesive has too much "ouch!", a _light_ dusting of talcum powder (on the adhesive, or your penis) will reduce the grip.
There's gotta be a better way to remove that stuff. . . .
Do not use a penis clamp in the first six weeks after your surgery. In that period the reconnection of your urethra to your bladder is healing and back pressure from a clamp could damage it or make urine leak into your pelvis.
I used Tena guards inside close fitting bikini underpants. My motto was "trust the pads" and get on with living. I went out to a show the night my catheter came out - totally inconsistent, changed pads 3 times that evening, and had a great time.
I agree with the guys advice. One week post op sounds a bit early to have the catheter out, your urethra will still be healing. Any back pressure in the bladder could cause the joined up urethra to leak internally. That's why the catheter is left in after surgery. The other reason for not using a clamp is that not only could it damage erectile tissue, it could obstruct blood flow to all parts of your penis if incorrectly applied or left on too long.
Thanks I have abandon the potential use of the clamp- will opt for condom catheter when needed
Share your experiences with Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence post surgery
Surgeon volume and incontinence - choose your surgeon carefully.
