Deflation problem

[Leon 46]

I was implanted with an AMS CX eight days ago. Yesterday, I went to my one-week post appointment. The doctor instructed me in how to inflate and deflate. He inflated then deflated me, although not entirely to a totally flaccid state. He told me to start recycling twice per day, 20 minutes at a time. I started the cycling process this morning after I woke up. Inflated it to the pain threshold, probably not more than 60%. Left it inflated for 20 minutes, then started to deflate it. No luck. It will not deflate, despite repeated efforts, including a half dozen in the tub after soaking my package for 20 minutes or so, and another 6 times in the shower. It just will. not. deflate. I have strong hands and fingers, not arthritic, so I pushed it hard for 4 seconds each time, but it doesn't deflate. Frustrating. I will probably stop by the doc's office this afternoon for help, but I've gotta get good at this if I want to progress. Anyone else have such an experience? Appreciate any helpful thoughts you might have.

[Waynetho]

My thoughts are that either you are not pressing the deflate button (refer to the keychain demo you were sent home with), or somehow you pushed the deflate button accidently while inflating.

If you cannot feel the deflate button, the pump may be turned around and you will need to find the button on the back side of the pump. If you found the button but when pressing the button it doesn't feel like it's clicking in, it's probably the latter (bulb and deflate were pressed together) and the pump needs to be reset.

To reset the pump, especially if the bulb is flat but not always, squeeze the sides of the pump valve block hard. Then squeeze the bulb sharply until it pops. Then you should be able to press the deflate button again. Once the deflate button clicks, you should be able to deflate properly.

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum Leon 46. Congratulations on a successful surgery.

Note that sometimes the manufacturer's Patient Liaison can talk you through difficulties like this without having to be seen by your surgeon's office.

(edited for focus)
It just will. not. deflate. I have strong hands and fingers, not arthritic, so I pushed it hard for 4 seconds each time, but it doesn't deflate. Frustrating. I will probably stop by the doc's office this afternoon for help, but I've gotta get good at this if I want to progress. Anyone else have such an experience? Appreciate any helpful thoughts you might have.

The 4 seconds that AMS mentions is nonsense. I know they are the manufacturer, but extensive testing by me and reports of usage by others confirms most definitely that it is the depth of depressing the button, not the length of time that is the operative factor in setting the valve to deflate.

Press the button until you feel a soft click. Then the valve will allow flow from the implant back into the reservoir. This may take 4 seconds, 8 seconds or 1 second. But it is the click that is important.

My experiments included depressing the button (partially, but enough to allow deflating fluid flow) for 15-20 seconds. Upon releasing the button, fluid flow into the reservoir stops. Every time. Subsequent pressing the button allows flow to begin again. Pressing the button deeply, results in the soft click AND allows continuous flow thereafter without pressing the button.

See also Waynetho's observation about "clicking in" and its possible effect on the pump/valve setting. Cycling the VALVE (as he suggests) might be necessary. (Not unlike cycling the locks on your car door if you tried to open the door from the outside while simultaneously unlocking it from the inside or with a remote). The mechanism gets jammed up in an intermediate position and NOTHING works until the mechanism (lock or valve) gets put through a couple of full cycles successfully.

(edited for focus)
If you cannot feel the deflate button, the pump may be turned around and you will need to find the button on the back side of the pump. If you found the button but when pressing the button it doesn't feel like it's clicking in, it's probably the latter (bulb and deflate were pressed together) and the pump needs to be reset.

To reset the pump, especially if the bulb is flat but not always, squeeze the sides of the pump valve block hard. Then squeeze the bulb sharply until it pops. Then you should be able to press the deflate button again. Once the deflate button clicks, you should be able to deflate properly.

Good luck. You will be fine.

[Leon 46]

You were right, Wayne. It turns out that I wasn't pulling the pump bulb down far enough and turning it, so I wasn't getting good leverage on the deflate button.
I was kind of surprised when the doc recommended daily cycling after only 8 days. I was kind of expecting to wait for at least two or three weeks to start that. It's possible that my having used a VED daily for three months prior to surgery is making a difference in my post surgery condition and in the fact that I really haven't loss much length, according to my measurements. (The girth isn't much different either, although my member is a bit flatter than it used to be.) Over time, I'm guessing this will change?
All in all, so far so good, especially since I've become more adept at locating and using the deflate button. Right now, I'm cycling twice daily for 20-30 minutes at a time, per the doc's orders. Not sure how long I should continue doing this.
Appreciate all of your advice.

[Waynetho]

Leon, glad you figured it out! Congratulations on your successful activation and welcome to the Brotherhood.

[oldbeek]

You were right, Wayne. It turns out that I wasn't pulling the pump bulb down far enough and turning it, so I wasn't getting good leverage on the deflate button.
I was kind of surprised when the doc recommended daily cycling after only 8 days. I was kind of expecting to wait for at least two or three weeks to start that. It's possible that my having used a VED daily for three months prior to surgery is making a difference in my post surgery condition and in the fact that I really haven't loss much length, according to my measurements. (The girth isn't much different either, although my member is a bit flatter than it used to be.) Over time, I'm guessing this will change?
All in all, so far so good, especially since I've become more adept at locating and using the deflate button. Right now, I'm cycling twice daily for 20-30 minutes at a time, per the doc's orders. Not sure how long I should continue doing this.
Appreciate all of your advice.

. Cycle twice a day for 2 years. Or in my case when you have all your length and girth back.