Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implant - Prostate Cancer N...

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Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implant

DS_WAVL profile image
3 Replies

I'd like to hear from AUS users, please. Still pretty leaky following my RARP in March 2016. I've finally decided that I will move forward on this. I just need to consider the timing and the extent to which it might interfere with things that are already on my calendar. Thanks!

1. When did you get your implant?

2. How long were you in Hospital?

3. What was your immediate post-surgical recovery experience?

4. Did you need a catheter? If so, for how long?

5. When was your AUS activated?

6. Any leakage?

7. Overall experience?

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DS_WAVL profile image
DS_WAVL
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3 Replies
cajun1949 profile image
cajun1949

Hey Hey DS.......

I'm going to answer your questions one by one... hope it helps...

1. When did you get your implant?

Had my implant on 7/1316... That is 14 years after my RP.. Leakage progressively getting worse..... up to 6 pads a day.

2. How long were you in Hospital?

It was done outpatient procedure at local hospital. In at 6AM Home at 2pm

3. What was your immediate post-surgical recovery experience?

Immediate recovery experience was as expected. Pain! Nut sac swollen to size of Cantaloupe, Back to normal size in 4 days. Most of problem was with #4, keeping it clean and hard to get around. But Morphine Is Drs way of saying sleep well without pain..

4. Did you need a catheter? If so, for how long?

supra pubic cath is necessary for recovery. 6 days with bag, then had a plug to remove and place back to see if i could still hold urine somewhat. Well nope still needed many pads. removed after 2 days. so 8 days total.

5. When was your AUS activated?

AUS activated 8/6/16.. Dr said a 4 to 6 week healing period... Lucky enough for me to be only 4.

6. Any leakage?

NO MORE LEAKAGE.. If I sit with my legs crossed for two long or put pressure there is a small bit of leakage.

7. Overall experience?

My experience can be summed up in one simple sentence....

Why the fuck did I wait so long to get this done...... Totally satisfied customer here.

Now personal input.. It takes a few days to train yourself as to how many pumps you'll need to empty your bladder. Besides that I sleep dry, walk dry, sit dry, long car rides dry and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Well not that last part, but able to stand in the back of the tub\shower and make it to the drain......

Good luck and let me know your decision...... and your story....

may your road be paved with love,

Jim.....

RolandUK profile image
RolandUK

Me

Hi DS_WAVL,

Like Cajan 1949 I was SO pleased when the operation to fit an AUS was done. Further to all the good advice he gave you are my post AUS operation observations.

My first response after the AMS800 was activated was one of VERY great relief at no longer being pretty much 100% daytime incontinent and with a constantly damp and itchy crotch.

After the operation and when the discharge you, take a couple of soft cushions for your car journey home ....... you'll need them 😲

I stayed in the Hospital for only one night. Activation was 6 weeks later.

It feels SO silly saying this to someone I've never met ....

But, for the first few days when you sit down try and keep your buttocks relaxed but together [don't clench, it hurts]. The object being to avoid ANY tension on the stitches.

For about the first 6 to 8 weeks post activation I was leaking more than I'd hoped or expected [I started to think the device may be faulty]. The leakage amounts were, however, very small in comparison to pre-activation levels.

I was leaking whenever any pressure was put on the bladder by, for example, bending down, squatting or leaning over a table for a meal or when working at the computer keyboard.

I now think the initial post-op "problems" were probably due to a couple of factors. Reduced flexibility of the cuff due to it's newness and my urethra's resistance to being compressed by the cuff.

However, after the 6 to 8 weeks period things have improved somewhat with both aforementioned “problems” and I've stopped thinking the device could be faulty.

The only times when I now wear a small pad is when, for instance, I know I'll be away from home for many hours especially if a meal out is involved …. OR …. [Like today in fact] when I may be doing lots of bending as in DIY or decorating mode.

So, quickly did I become used to having the AMS800 I tended to forget it was there and the only time that causes discomfort is when sitting on the toilet and forgetting to press the pump button before starting to push down.

The only other change to my pre-prostactomy routine is that I ensure I urinate before leaving the house for any reason. If at home all day I do “go” a bit more often to keep the bladder internal pressure low.

Hope this all helps. This is a VERY friendly Group so never be afraid to ask any questions.

Regards Roland J in the UK

MelbourneDavid profile image
MelbourneDavid

My next door neighbor had an AUS two years ago and is very happy with the result.

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