Skier is Bionic!

[Randy461]

Congrats on your implant. The information the group gets from all the journals shared is invaluable to those of us considering taking the leap.
I am 58yo from Indianapolis who went through RP 2 years ago this week, I have been through all the standard protocols up to and including Bi mix and Tri mix, both with so-so results. I am ready to start the process and am very strongly considering traveling to Chicago to Dr Levine.
I will be interested in following your progress of healing.
Thanks again for sharing with the group.

[Skier123]

Day 4 update:

So I REAAAAAAAAAAALY don't want to jinx myself here - but things are going miraclously smooth so far.

Unwrapped John Henry and the Boys on Tuesday. No bruising, minimal swelling, nice and pink. JH looks kinda short but Dr. Levine leaves you completely uninflated for the first 30 days so I'm not gonna worry about that. Had a nice shower both Tues and Wednesday per my discharge instructions with no issues, shower feels good though.

As of day 4 almost no pain except when getting up from a sitting position, fully controlled with just ibuprofen. I have 30 unused Norco sitting on the kitchen counter - I might use one to help me drift off to sleep tonight, but probably not. Probably just save them for when I have a really serious surgery LOL.

So far just a hint of bruising on my scrotum and minimal swelling. Nothing at all like some of the black and blue grapfruit pics I've seen on here from some other brothers.

Felt good enough to go out to breakfast today and stop by and visit my Mom. Wearing loose pants was no problem since uninflated, so no boner to hide from unsuspecting waitresses and relatives. Catheter still in but no big deal I almost forget it is there. Will go to Dr; Levine's office Monday and have that removed.

Crossing my fingers all these horse pill antibiotics they prescribed do their job and I get through the healing process without an infection. So far so good ...

[Waynetho]

Congratulations on the smooth recovery so far.

Some doctors, as I understand it, provide the option for the patient to remove they're own catheter if they want to. I know I'm a hellofalot gentler in my cath removals than any nurse had been thus far... I had to educate the nurse in the hospital to not fully aspirate or drain the catheter balloon before removal to avoid folds and ridges that HURT and scratch the urethra when it's removed... She told me that in her 5 years doing her job, she had NEVER heard that before.

[Skier123]

Thanks Wayne - that sounds like an excellent suggestion.

Dr. Levine wants me to come in so they can check my wound healing, in addition to removing the catheter. I also don't have a syringe which I *think* is needed to deflate the balloon? So I will probably just wait until Monday and let them remove it.

But you can be sure I will ask them about your technique BEFORE they pull that thing out Thanks!

[Cajun Jeff]

What a great report. Congrats

[NeedleD]

Thanks Wayne - that sounds like an excellent suggestion.

Dr. Levine wants me to come in so they can check my wound healing, in addition to removing the catheter. I also don't have a syringe which I *think* is needed to deflate the balloon? So I will probably just wait until Monday and let them remove it.

But you can be sure I will ask them about your technique BEFORE they pull that thing out Thanks!

Alright another Dr. Levine success story! I'm enjoying reading it as he is my Uro too! I'm still praying my Insurance Co will approve my Implant but sooo happy to see you're doing great so far! Congrats!!!

[Skier123]

Went to Dr. Levine's office today to have catheter removed. Was seen by the PA (who is excellent). She removed it slowly and with no pain whatsoever ... piece of cake. She said everything looks fine and wound is healing as it should. She also said I would not be "in the clear" as far as infection goes for at least a month or so ... so don't you guys go jinxing me! (So far so good though).

[stephen54]

Day 4 update:

So I REAAAAAAAAAAALY don't want to jinx myself here - but things are going miraclously smooth so far.

Unwrapped John Henry and the Boys on Tuesday. No bruising, minimal swelling, nice and pink. JH looks kinda short but Dr. Levine leaves you completely uninflated for the first 30 days so I'm not gonna worry about that. Had a nice shower both Tues and Wednesday per my discharge instructions with no issues, shower feels good though.

As of day 4 almost no pain except when getting up from a sitting position, fully controlled with just ibuprofen. I have 30 unused Norco sitting on the kitchen counter - I might use one to help me drift off to sleep tonight, but probably not. Probably just save them for when I have a really serious surgery LOL.

So far just a hint of bruising on my scrotum and minimal swelling. Nothing at all like some of the black and blue grapfruit pics I've seen on here from some other brothers.

Felt good enough to go out to breakfast today and stop by and visit my Mom. Wearing loose pants was no problem since uninflated, so no boner to hide from unsuspecting waitresses and relatives. Catheter still in but no big deal I almost forget it is there. Will go to Dr; Levine's office Monday and have that removed.

Crossing my fingers all these horse pill antibiotics they prescribed do their job and I get through the healing process without an infection. So far so good ...

Hey congrats so far! Excellent. Sounds like you're having much of the same post-Levine experience I had. It's funny, I was talking to Levine a week ago in clinic and I made it a point to call out the great post-implant experience in terms of minimal pain, minimal discomfort, no bruising, no problems whatsoever...I thanked him seriously and he brushed it off entirely and said to me, "this is about you, you're just a great healer". The humility was entirely charming but not entirely correct. I think he's just a kick ass talented surgeon.

Keep us updated! I see the good doc on Friday to try and learn this damn deflation valve!

[LookingUp]

Having had more than my share of Caths... If you remove it yourself, drink a lot of water (whatever), stand in the tub/shower, deflate the Cath, start pissing. Out it comes, real easy. Nothing to it. The stinging while pissing (roughed up urethra lining) will calm down within 24 hours or less.

LU

[Waynetho]

Having had more than my share of Caths... If you remove it yourself, drink a lot of water (whatever), stand in the tub/shower, deflate the Cath, start pissing. Out it comes, real easy. Nothing to it. The stinging while pissing (roughed up urethra lining) will calm down within 24 hours or less.

I've cathed myself multiple times and know how to do the clean cath as well as a semi-sterile cath (I don't have the cath kits so it can't be perfectly sterile).

I can tell you without a doubt that any roughness one experiences during cath removal can be avoided by using the right method. Do not aspirate the balloon (suck the saline out). Exercise the syringe a few times to make sure it moves smoothly, attach it to the luerlock on the syringe and let the balloon deflate into the syringe naturally by the pressure alone.

If you have to draw out the saline, push a small (tiny) amount back in and try to remove the cath partially inflated. It will slide out with almost no sensation at all. Definitely no scratching!