Prosthesis activation

[Illuminist]

I just saw Dr. Karpman today. He pumped me up all the way I think, then he took some pics. He is extremely pleased with my outcome as am I. Due to my scarring, a second incision was needed or the implant would have never made it to my glans. He said he would be using my pics to promote to other Dr's that may have patients with severe scarring.

I will be using my implant next week and had surgery on 6/13. Only regret I have is not getting this implant a yr ago or I wouldn't have lost 1"+ in length.

[pennsydutch]

Hi Larry,

It is unfortunate that you found a doctor who doesn't care about his patients. I am sorry you have been left with so little support from the medical team. I hope that the implant guys on FT will come to your aide.

I received my AMS LGX700 on December 20, 2010. I have just recently had my six-month check in. My medical team in St. Louis has been amazing. Proficient, detail oriented, professional, detail oriented, personable, and always available. As has been said, dump the creep and find a guy or gal who cares about the patient.

I know exactly where you are at. The questions of whether it is worth it all comes easily and often to mind. I don't know your pain, I can only relate to my own. But let me tell you, for me, there were a couple of watersheds in my recovery. One was certainly at activation--the point when you realize it actually works. The other was three weeks after activation when I realized I was no longer 'struggling' to find the pump, I no longer slipped off the pump as often when inflating, and when the sensation during deflation actually became pleasurable. At about four months out I came to the realization that my scrotum actually had started to 'thin out' and the finding of the pump, and my testicles, was easy and my scrotum felt normal. At about the same time I came to notice that my flaccid state was really quite more flaccid than it had been just a month before. Now at six months, my implant is, simply put, part of me. I wear it without a problem. I can inflate easily--the pump has really become more supple, and deflation is easy and predictable. And, maybe most important, erections are great.

Once you get your practice pump from AMS you will be much better at visualizing what you are handling. When you are inflating, you might want to try two hands for awhile. With your non-dominant hand pinch the tubes just above the block. This will help stabilize the pump. With you other hand use your thumb and two fingers to grasp the pump's bulb; settle your pump's bulb in those three fingers and give a quick solid squeeze. You should feel the pump's lock engage. This sets the pump to allow saline to flow only into the implant. As you are getting used to the pump and as it is breaking in, do a slow five-count between pumps. This allows the saline flow into the bulb, and you are getting fuller pumping each time.

As you get used to the pumping, your scrotum may get a little sensitive. It is very tough, so don't worry. However, you may want to push the pump around just a bit to use a different area of the scrotum from time to time.

I've gone on long enough. I, and most implantees here on FT, am happy to answer any question you may have. Please don't hesitate to ask.

Hang in there; it gets better.

ScotK