FrankTalk.org

My original post and story can be found here:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1753

Like a few others here on the board, I've been implanted just this week and am now home recovering (Dr. Drogo Montague, Cleveland Clinic, Glickman Urological Center; AMS 700 CXR). Thought I would share my experience for all those considering implants as an option.

I am 4 days post-op and recovering very well. Minimal pain and swelling. I am off all prescription pain meds as of 2 days post-op, now only using OTC pain meds sporadically. My scrotum seems to be back to normal size other than the extra "third testicle" added. The sutures are holding well in the incision and there is almost no noticable pain or discomfort. Penile shaft has lost some sensation, but I have noticed some sensation returning day-to-day. My penile shaft is partially erect with some fluid pumped in during the healing process until my first post-op visit 4-6 weeks out. My doc says to keep the shaft elevated and back against my lower abdomen for proper healing and "seating" of the penile tubes. That is not always possible, but can be managed most of the time with briefs and a box of surgical pads for cushioning between my shorts and the bottom side of the penis. Avoid sitting on hard surfaces, minimal sitting on soft surfaces at least first 2 weeks or so. Doc told me to pull down on the pump device in my scrotum up to 3 times daily just to make sure that it does not drift or list upward too far during the healing process. This has been more or less possible without much discomfort. As the swelling from the operation subsided, sometimes the scrotal reflexes really tighten things up down there and it seems crowded, other times the scrotal tissue is looser and more flexible, just depends. My urine stream is weak but is returning stronger each day. I never had a very strong stream to begin with. It was barely a dribble the first time I pissed after the catheter was pulled, but has now become stronger. I'm hopeful it will be even better when I am fully flacid.

I still have many questions and uncertainties going forward, but believe this was absolutely the right decision. I really had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now, I am just hoping that the "gain" will come in time, and I will be functional again in 1-2 months from now. I worry about manipulating the pump, inflating and deflating it properly, and what my ultimate post-op length will be when fully inflated. The pump is really slippery inside the scrotum and tough to grasp, and I don't know any special techniques yet until I see my doc 4-6 weeks post-op when he will activate it and I can begin "exercising" the device. Then, I worry about getting stuck in an erect position if I cannot deflate. So, my mind is not completely at ease just yet, and I have a lot of new things to learn about in the coming weeks. But, I am hopeful, and certainly less stressed than I was before the surgery itself.

This is just an informational post for those considering the procedure, and I welcome replies from veterans who have already been through what I am experiencing. Thanks to all in this community for providing this outlet. It means more than words could ever say.

Ditch

Congratulations Ditch on your choice. I am 16 months post-op due to PCa and very pleased with the outcome. I am sure you will be too as time passes and you heal completely.
Best wishes
Larry

ditchman wrote:Then, I worry about getting stuck in an erect position if I cannot deflate.

Congrats! and welcome to the Brotherhood ... the very first lesson is to make absolutely sure you can not only find the deflate button, but are able to hold it in for at least four seconds. Until you can do that ... do not even consider pumping it up ...

As for sitting on hard surfaces ... try an inflatable donut cushion ... I still use mine, and carry it with me when needed (Stadium events, etc.)

Keep us posted on your progress ...

Congratulations Ditch! I just had mine on the 7th. I'm still on my Vicadin, but then I'm a wus when it comes to pain, so what can I say. I haven't really felt around down there too much yet, but I did feel the pump at one point, and as you said, it does feel slippery in there. Which is somewhat surprising since the on the key chain the pump body seems so rough. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery.

Interestingly that happened to me one Sunday afternoon about 2 weeks post-op. I couldn't find the deflate button and walked around with a boner for several hours. I finally just squeezed where I knew the button was supposed to be and down it went. I still can't feel the stupid button, but the device works as advertised....

All the best....

Ditch, I am 4 1/3 months post op with an AMS CX. Don't worry about the deflate button as you will find it easily when you get to the point of inflating/deflating. The other things you are concerned about will become obvious to you quickly after you start pumping. It is kind of like learning to ride a bicycle or drive a car, that with some practice you understand what to do.

During the time when I was healing before my doc taught me how to pump I used my spa. In the spa my testicles floated up out of the way so I could feel the pump parts more easily. I didn't do anything with them during that time, just tried to identify what was where. Plus the warm water of the spa had some pain relief/healing properties. If you have a spa you might try that.

Thanks for the follow-up comments, and a special thanks to greggshere since our join dates and implant dates are so similar; kind of an interesting coincidence.

A couple other minor post-op events that I overlooked to mention in my first post.

They had me on the antibiotic Bactrim when I left the hospital the morning after. Bactrim is especially effective against urinary tract infection, and it is a "standard issue" for patients upon release from the urology center. Anyways, I had a horrible gastro-intestinal reaction to the Bactrim (a known side-effect of this drug), and had horrible upset bowels and diarrhea my first night home. My wife diagnosed the source of the problem, I called the doc, and they took me off it right away. They didn't even replace it with another antibiotic; said I was full of antibiotics from the IV and oral antibiotics are no longer a concern for post-op patients. So, the usual constipation that comes from the pain meds was avoided due to side effects of the Bactrim. Just FYI for anyone in the future who might have a reaction to that particular antibiotic. It is known to be rough on the intestines.

Also, question: How long before I can sit comfortably without a feeling of pressure around the device? The device is already mostly unnoticable when I stand up. But, when I sit for any length of time, I get uncomfortable with some mild pain pretty quickly. Also, when I roll forward to get out of my chair or off the couch, it pinches on the bottom of the device and gives some pain on the bottom of my scrotum. I use my arms to lift myself off the seat more than usual, which really makes me feel like an old man. Will this go away in time or will I always feel that pain or pinch with the device at the bottom of my sack?

I am also fairly athletic, run frequently and for long distances (5k or more, 4-5 times a week). My doc says wait 4 weeks plus before any strenuous activity, which I plan to do. But, I am wondering just how long it will be before I can engage in cardivascular workouts, playing basketball and getting back to normal without noticing the device or feeling discomfort. I'm anxious to know that things will get back to normal not just in my sexual activity, but in all aspects of living a full life. Anyone care to share their experience or knowledge?

Ditch, I am 4 1/3 months post op. I used a cushion that is doughnut shaped with a hole in the middle for my delicate parts for the first couple of weeks. Then I used a foam stadium seat that is about 1 inch of foam. I still use that if I can remember to take it with me, but I forget and get by. I still feel my pump and sometimes it objects to what I am sitting on so I have to adjust my position. At my 7 week checkup I asked my doc about what exercise equipment I could use and he said "anything you want". I use a reclining bike every morning and it works fine, although I am aware that my pump is there.

I have seen from reading here that everyone heals up differently so your experience may be different than mine. You are also younger than me and I have noticed that as I age healing takes longer. So be patient and your body will tell you what you can do along the way.

Just an update for the guys on here who have taken time to reply to me and my various posts over the last 2-8 months. I have not been on in a while as I've been busy and just learning the ropes of my new implant device.

At 9 weeks post-op, I am feeling very much like my life is back to normal, in almost every way. I've regained erectile function with the implant, my wife and I are back to normal (or even super-normal!) intercourse routine, and my mental and emotional state has improved wonderfully.

I have found that the mental and emotional challenges are the most difficult, but the payoff has been worth it. So, to all you guys thinking about an implant, just know going in that ED is a mental and emotional strain (as we all know), and that if/when you pull the trigger on the implant, there will be both a physical and a mental period of healing and adjustment. Fears will come and go during this time. But, for me, as I've said, it has all been worth it, and the "storm" is past and the waters are calm once again. What a relief!

The only "fear" remaining, and it is just something in the back of my mind that I think about from time to time, is "how long will this thing last, and at what point in my life will I have to get it replaced?" I'm still fairly young.

Anybody have similar concerns, and if so, how do you deal with them? Thanks to all of you who have posted and taken time to reply.

From the older posts here, I wpould guess that you have 15 plus years before replacement. Just a guess, but fairly conservative. Can't talk from experience, I have only had my implant for 6 month's. So it is still getting broken in. I have an AMS 700 LGX and haven't yet maxed out the available expansion. That could take another 6 months to a year.

Supposedly the implants that do not have length expansion last longer that those that do. Still 15 plus years is a good run. It may be hard to find old timers here, since once things heal up well you are too busy for much talk.

Radiodec