YEEHAW!! Have Approval and a March 7th Date

[greggshere]

Well guys, the boys are pretty swollen and sore today, just like everyone said they would be. I took two Vicadin this morning when I got up. Peeing sucks too, as I have to use a urinal while standing up. Since the penis is about 60% inflated I have to sort of push the pee out, and that is not the most comfortable action either. All and all though, it is still not as bad as I anticipated, and I would do it again in an instant. No pain, no gain, as they say. I'm just so excited seeing it hard again after three years of limp. Guy and Woodworker, PM me with how you guys are doing, as I'm concerned with your recovery too.

[Woodworker57]

Woodworker reporting…I am officially a member of the bionic brotherhood!

I had my surgery on Friday morning at 8:00 the procedure went very smoothly and I was in post-op about 10:00. I remained in the hospital until Saturday morning. I was administered a variety of IV’s of Lactated Ringers (electrolytes) and antibiotics. For pain I was administered Dilaudid – a opiate that was wonderful in easing the pain and allowing me to sleep. My prosthesis was also inflated to a size that my penis hasn’t experienced in years. My surgeon arrived a 7:00 am Saturday and removed the catheter and said that I was discharged. He told me to simply rest, rest and rest some more. I have a follow-up visit with him in a week. He also reduced the size of my prosthesis to about 60% erect. When he squeezed the deflate bulb I thought that he was disemboweling me! It hurt!! I was surprised that he did not give me any prescription meds for pain. He said to take some Naproxen (Alleve) and that should be it. He also did not administer any additional antibiotics.

When I arrived home I was very sore. My nuts are the size of bocce balls and feel about as heavy. I’ve remained in bed most of the day. As far as urination goes… initially I tried to urinate standing up leaning at about a 45 degree angle over the toilet. Not only was this extremely uncomfortable but not particularly accurate either. I’ve read enough on this site about using the shower or bath tub as a toilet and I’ve taken this advice. In our master bedroom we have a full size shower – I simply open the door and piss away. This has really simplified the process. I did succumb to taking a couple of Naproxen last night and again this morning (Sunday). I will say that the pain has subsided significantly since yesterday but sitting for any lengthy period comfortably is difficult.

Another issue – underwear. I am normally a boxer guy but I bought six pair of Adidas comfort briefs as recommended by some of the other posts on this site due to this procedure. I have found that they are too tight and the bottom of my scrotum, where the incisions are, are irritated by the cotton. I have since returned to my boxers and then wear a firm fitting pair of sweat pants to hold everything in place. I believe that in a week or two (when the swelling subsides a bit) the briefs will be the better choice.

[greggshere]

I'm glad to hear from you Woodworker, sounds like we are doing about the same. I go in on Weds afternoon for my URO to deflate, and I am really dreading it for the reason you mentioned. Squeezing the pump at this point seems to be cruel and unusual punishment. I did just take a hot shower and got the nerve to feel around for it. It wasn't too bad, but all I did was feel it, I did not apply any pressure. The boys are barking at me today about having a new cousin moving in with them. I hope Guy is doing ok, as I have not heard anything from him.

[Dave92014]

Both of you new guys to the Brotherhood ... should seriously consider a stool softener, as soon as you get home ... those Hospital meds will bind you up for days. I shouldn't have to mention a hard strain at this point is rough ... Keep us posted on your progress ...

I eat very little red meat and eat mostly chicken and fish. I have noticed that anytime I eat red meat my stools are much firmer the next time I do a bowel movement. So after my surgery I was careful to not eat red meat for a couple of weeks while taking the meds and I did not have any stool binding problem.

Gregg, regarding the pain while coughing I also had that. My doc had to add some stictches as my opening from the scrotum to the abdomen was too large and he thought the reservoir might fall out of the abdomen. Because of that for about three weeks after my surgery coughing or sneezing created searing pain. I developed an ability to breath rapidly whenever I felt a cough or sneeze coming on and that way I could prevent them from happening. After three weeks things healed up and I could cough or sneeze without pain.

Regarding pain when the doc operates the pump, I had that pretty bad. But when he did it the painful part only lasts about 30 seconds and he spaced my visits out at 2 or 3 weeks so I only had to endure that about 3 times. He had me hold on to the a table and grit my teeth a lot. Not pleasant but I lived through it and I am a woos about pain.

[greggshere]

Well I go to my URO to get it deflated this afternoon. I am really dreading this, as I have a feeling it will not be too much fun. I have to admit though having it down so I can actually pee without the urinal will be nice. The swelling is pretty much gone now and the pain is quite minimal, which is two really good things. All and all I am quite impressed with where I am today considering the surgery was only a week ago tomorrow. The bruising is also almost gone. I'm curious to see when he says I need to start pumping it up and releasing it. I still have not really felt around too much for the pump yet. I mean I have felt the bulb easy enough, but cannot really make out the top where the valve is. It feels like there is "Stuff" covering over that area that prevents me from really"feeling" it. We shall see, wish me luck and a happy deflation this afternoon. I'll post up tonight after all is done.

[billybob5898]

Hey Greg, Keep in touch,with the group, let us know how you are doing. Today is the 13th and I hop everything went ok for you. I have been talking with my uro for awhile about one for me. He wants to make sure my peronies has run its course first. Did your uro tell you to pump to help with length????? If so did it help???? Anyway keep in touch and let us know how it goes. Post on the main implant group site at yahoo to get help with questions you might have but also post here. Hope you have a HARD road soon!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL

[greggshere]

Well the appointment went ok, he deflated it to about 20% and told me to alternate my dangle from right to left during the next few days and I go back on Monday to see him again. It was not quite as painful as I was anticipating, but it did smart quite a bit. Anyway, I survived it with no problem. He actually offered to give me a shot of Demerol if I wanted it, but I told him, no I would be fine. All and all this has been really good so far. I have no pain in the tips at all, considering it is only just a week tomorrow since the surgery. The swelling and bruising is pretty much gone and the pain is very mild at this point. At this rate I'll be wearing the thing out in no time.

[greggshere]

So I've been talking on chat and not really doing any updates on my thread, so I figured I would post a quick one. First, I can't say enough about my URO, I think he is fantastic. I have been going in once a week since the surgery to see him, just as followup visits. I went again yesterday, and all is well, healing nicely. I have had virtually no pain with this implant after the fourth day, other than the upper incision for the resevoir which sits right about my belt line. That one is a little tender, but not really what I would say is "Pain". He gave it a pump yesterday and released it, just checking things. I was really hoping he would give me the go ahead to start pumping it up daily and maybe even use it, but he said not quite yet. I'm really anxious to give it a work out, as is my wife, but we will just be patient and do what the Doc says.
I go back on the 8th and he said we will pump it up then, and then I can start pumping up two or three times a day. He said I should be able to use it the following week with no problem. He said he prefers to wait a full six weeks before turning you loose to start using it. He said that he likes to make sure everything stays put and is healed good. He saved my life with my RP and now he has restored my manhood with my implant. It has been a nice break from work, and I certainly cannot complain about my recovery, as it has been really great and practically pain free. My flaccid package is really impressive from my standards, and when I saw it at 60% inflated for the first few days I was pleased as well.
I know everyone seems to think you should go to one of the 'experts" in the field to get the implant, however you need to go with who you are comfortable with and trust. I know that my guy has talent, because he teaches both the DaVinci RP and the implant surgery at the local Brody School of Medicine. He performed both surgeries on me now over the past three years and I have been thrilled with both. I would highly recommend him to anyone considering either surgery. He really treats you like a person and not just another patient. Dr. Hugh Mallory Reeves rocks!

[greggshere]

So I went in yesterday and guess what, IT WORKS!!! My Doc pumped me up a couple of times and showed me how to do it. He said everything looks great and he said I can start using it Thursday which is the 5 week mark since the surgery. I have to tell you that I am really impressed, as it did not even hurt when it was pumped up the first time. I can pump it up until the bulb won't compress anymore, about 10 - 12 pumps and it doesn't have any discomfort at all. I'm assuming that the more I pump it and things stretch out that I will get more pumps out of it. I'm real happy with the angle of the dangle and the fact that now we can try different positions. Before my RP when it was hard, it pretty much just stood almost completely erect in parallel to my standing position, which made Missionary position the easiest one and most common for my wife and I. Now it sticks out, but can be bent up easy. It does not bend down, just up. So now I can do it standing or on my back, etc. or missionary. We are both pretty darned excited about it. I am so happy that I finally got it done and healed. I once again feel like a real man and can get it up at will, no performance anxiety!

[Dave92014]

Young people have a saying "I'm pumped" for when they are excited about something. For implanted people that has a dual relevance.