Problem Inflating

[gdheart]

I had an AMS700 implant in April 2019. I have had a continuous problem inflating the device. I need to hear a “popping” sound in order to inflate. Have been to the Urologist a few times trying to rectify this problem. He told me there is a valve which directs the flow of fluid into (inflate) or out of (deflate) the device. The “popping” sound indicates that the valve is in the correct position for inflation. It is very difficult for me to get the implant to “pop”. I have tried pressing the deflate button, pressing the two side buttons, moving the implant to different positions. I have been able to pop the valve to the inflate position but it takes a very long time. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Notgivingup]

You need to give the bulb a quick, strong press. I find it easier to do this if I first squeeze the bulb down a little to flatten it a little, so I can get a better grip on the bulb. Then I give it a quick, strong squeeze on the bulb.

[Waynetho]

If the bulb just squeezes repeatedly without any gain and you don't feel a pop at the first squeeze, you may need to reset it by squeezing end-to-end on the valve block. After resetting it, press the deflate valve then try to pop the bulb again.

[Lost Sheep]

After 8 months the bulb and valve should be broken in enough to operate smoothly. After only a month of daily cycling, mine was fairly easy to operate and now, after two years slightly easier than it was at two months and appears to have reached a steady state.

The AMS customer liaison might be a better resource of information on how to operate it in the face of difficulties. It is their job to help implantees, even more so than the medical professionals who implant them.

When I was first cycling, I used both hands. One hand reached over the base of my penis with thumb and forefinger to pinch and steady the valve body. The other hand caught the pump bulb between the base of my thumb and the side of my forefinger for a powerful squeeze. First squeeze sometimes did not produce the valve flopping over to the inflate position (the "pop"), but the second squeeze invariably did it.

Squeezing the deflate button until I felt a faint pop reset the valve to the deflate position. If you are not resetting the the valve to deflate mode firmly, I could speculate that as a cause of your difficulties. Not likely, but just a guess.

Your mention of "two side buttons" confuses me. My valve body does not have such buttons. Perhaps your valve is a different design?

[dumasjc]

I to had difficultly activating the pump bulb at first. For me I found if I grab the bulb as high as I can near the top and squeeze downward it pops every time.

[Waynetho]

Your mention of "two side buttons" confuses me. My valve body does not have such buttons. Perhaps your valve is a different design?

I'd venture a guess that by "two side buttons", he's referring to the sides of the valve block where a squeeze will reset the pump.

[Notgivingup]

I to had difficultly activating the pump bulb at first. For me I found if I grab the bulb as high as I can near the top and squeeze downward it pops every time.

Thanks! I just tried that, and I find that technique works really well for me, too.

[Player98]

I just got the go a head to start cycling yesterday 1/3/2020. Everything went good at doctors office, I was able to inflate and deflate. Later that night when I get home and I try to inflate the bulb goes flat. So I text the doctor and he tells me to reset by pushing the release button and squeezing my penis then pump bulb. I tried this countless times with no luck. He is having the AMS rep call me. When I squeeze the release button I don’t hear the buzz sound that I heard in the doctor office yesterday. So I think The release button is somehow stuck. Anybody know how I can resolve this issue? I have read that there is a way to reset the release button but I haven’t figured it out yet.

[Waynetho]

You may have inadvertantly pressed the deflate button while pumping at some point. This locks up the valve. On the AMS Momentary Squeeze pump you have a rectangular valve-block (the deflate valve is in the middle on one side).

Follow the instructions below:

1. Squeeze that block, END-to-END and feel the pump bulb. (It should fill with saline while you squeeze the block)
2. Press the deflate button in the middle of the block
3. Sharply squeeze the pump bulb, which should "POP"

Now inflate as normal or press the DEFLATE button to leave it in deflate mode.

[Frederickdave]

I had the same issue early on. Squeeze the block from both ends to rest the delation valve. Push the deflate button then push any fluid out of your penis. Keep your penis up against your stomach to keep the tubing straight and squeeze the ball again. If starts to go flat again, hit the deflate button again. Rock back and forth between the two till it finally trips the valve. Took me a dozen tries early on. Gets easier when it breaks in. I can get it first most time now at 3 months. Good luck.