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How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:58 am
by Elfoose78
I was implanted January 27th of this year and given the go ahead to start cycling as of 9 days ago. How long does it take for the bulb to start softening? As it currently stands I’m only able to get a couple of half pumps in. How long did it take everyone for the bulb to soften?

I would like to be able to get full pumps when cycling. I know it’s early in the cycling process but I wanted to gain insight

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:37 am
by Randalltx
I am a week behind you OP was 2/9/23. I have a coloplast titan and it is very difficult to get even one half pump at a time. So I am right there with you. Haven't been able to fully pump up yet. Good Luck. Randy

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:41 am
by stmfttr
Elfoose78 wrote:I was implanted January 27th of this year and given the go ahead to start cycling as of 9 days ago. How long does it take for the bulb to start softening? As it currently stands I’m only able to get a couple of half pumps in. How long did it take everyone for the bulb to soften?

I would like to be able to get full pumps when cycling. I know it’s early in the cycling process but I wanted to gain insight


Elfoose78,
IMHO
With twice daily cycling, I'd say it took 3-4 months. And yes, try to squeeze the bulb as completely as possible, even if you have to use two hands. (thumb over thumb method)
stmfttr

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:49 am
by SWorks17
Elfoose78 wrote:I was implanted January 27th of this year and given the go ahead to start cycling as of 9 days ago. How long does it take for the bulb to start softening? As it currently stands I’m only able to get a couple of half pumps in. How long did it take everyone for the bulb to soften?

I would like to be able to get full pumps when cycling. I know it’s early in the cycling process but I wanted to gain insight


You might have locked the pump accidentally or a tube could be kinked.

Attached is a AMS 700 instructional video. It has troubleshooting at the end of the video.

https://youtu.be/qwp0YfSLxIU

Good luck

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:07 pm
by Elfoose78
stmfttr wrote:
Elfoose78 wrote:I was implanted January 27th of this year and given the go ahead to start cycling as of 9 days ago. How long does it take for the bulb to start softening? As it currently stands I’m only able to get a couple of half pumps in. How long did it take everyone for the bulb to soften?

I would like to be able to get full pumps when cycling. I know it’s early in the cycling process but I wanted to gain insight


Elfoose78,
IMHO
With twice daily cycling, I'd say it took 3-4 months. And yes, try to squeeze the bulb as completely as possible, even if you have to use two hands. (thumb over thumb method)
stmfttr


I’m currently cycling twice per day at one hour each. I tried using the two handed approach with the same results unfortunately. Going to trust the process and see how things progress over the next 3-4 months.

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:08 pm
by Elfoose78
SWorks17 wrote:
Elfoose78 wrote:I was implanted January 27th of this year and given the go ahead to start cycling as of 9 days ago. How long does it take for the bulb to start softening? As it currently stands I’m only able to get a couple of half pumps in. How long did it take everyone for the bulb to soften?

I would like to be able to get full pumps when cycling. I know it’s early in the cycling process but I wanted to gain insight


You might have locked the pump accidentally or a tube could be kinked.

Attached is a AMS 700 instructional video. It has troubleshooting at the end of the video.

https://youtu.be/qwp0YfSLxIU

Good luck


Thanks for the video link. That was my initial concern that the pump was either accidentally locked or the tube was linked. Going to following the troubleshooting steps to see if that helps.

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:50 pm
by bloomingguy
Implanted end of last july and I still am amazed the bulb is kinda stiff. I get about 5 full pumps (when bulb is soft) and 7 - 1/2 pumps when stiffer. No rhyme or reason for me when soft/stiff.

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:42 am
by ThailandBound
Mine softened up about a month after commencing cycling. 11 weeks postop now. Can now full pump about 10 times 1 handed. Then i have to do two-handed thumb over thumb. Expect this to improve.

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 12:12 pm
by Rider1400
I think it’s as much the implants being new and not very flexible as I. Not broken in yet as much as the ball itself being hard. Around 4 months I noticed it was getting easier, although it happens so gradually that you don’t realize any particular day or week… I’m 10 months and I can one handed get 15-18 wall to wall squeeze pretty easily then it gets much harder. Then I get another 8-10 one handed half pumps to around 95% which is plenty. If me or my wife wants more it’s a two handed job and nearly impossible to get more than 1/2 pumps. Time will fix it, stay at the cycling. Also your hand gets stronger as you build up the muscles in your fingers.

Re: How Long Until the Bulb Softens?

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:55 pm
by Elfoose78
ThailandBound wrote:Mine softened up about a month after commencing cycling. 11 weeks postop now. Can now full pump about 10 times 1 handed. Then i have to do two-handed thumb over thumb. Expect this to improve.


This is encouraging to hear. Even though the erection is firm it’s not full of that makes sense. I expect it to improve once I’m able to get full pumps in.