FrankTalk.org

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?

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.

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.

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.