First time inflation question

[DonBecker54]

Tonight was my first time trying to inflate on my own, after having seen a nurse for my six-week followup and inflation/deflation instructions.

I can try to squeeze the between both thumbs and fingers, and it's like trying to squeeze a ball bearing. A couple of times, though, the bulb squeezed all the way down. When I released it, I could feel fluid running into the bulb. I don't know where the fluid was coming from. I thought maybe I'd hit the release valve, but I don't see how I could have with my fingers positioned as they were.

So, the bulb can be squeezed, but I''m doing something wrong. Any guesses as to what?

[roninhouston]

The pump will get easier to use the more your inflate it. I use a curled indexed finger and push my thumb against it. Am right handed, pump with my right and deflate with my left. At about 10 weeks I started pumping with my left hand, come to find out the pump rubber had not been soften for that position. So I had to work on pumping with my left to soften up the rubber.

[David_R]

It is such a shame that your doctor (male?) didn't inflate it and deflate it in his office, and then watch while you did it -- my urologist did this. That would help more than just getting "inflation/deflation instructions" (unless the nurse was male).

I am a strong supporter of equal rights for women (and others), but when it comes to me and my body and who touches it and does things with/to it, I think I have the right to choose the gender of my doctors. And I'm just more comfortable being in a rather private office situation if the doctor is male.

[DonBecker54]

What about the three times when the bulb depressed all the way, but I could feel fluid moving into it? It didn't inflate me, so I don't know where the fluid was coming or going.