New LGX guy - Week 4 Update and some questions...

[jjmann]

Well its 4 weeks to the day since getting the LGX so thought it time to share an update and also seek some input from those further advanced on a couple of lingering issues I have. Touch-wood it appears I have reached this milestone both suffering and enjoying the same experience of the majority of those before me (based on my readings on this wonderful forum).
Yes, day 2 and 3 were probably the worse but nothing that a couple of panadol or nurofen didn’t cope with. Saw the Doc Week 3 which was both a pleasant and slightly painful experience. Pleasant in terms that he was happy with my healing and progress, and slightly painful in the form of the first “cycle”. Yes, things seemed to work as expected which was great news and somewhat of a relief to me. I had also decided to go back and try some work (landscaping) since I am an impatient sod, knowing it was perhaps a little early. After about 2.5 hrs my body confirmed I was being perhaps a little adventurous so it was back for a lie down and a couple of painkillers.
After a couple of days of “cycling” the device at home and being a little more comfortable of finding the on and off switches, so to speak, I decided it was time to test it for its intended purpose.  Yes they do work! Yes my wife and I are extremely happy! Yes the event removed such a heavy weight off my shoulders about such things as had I made the right decision to have an implant, will I ever be a “man” again, etc, etc. So, like many on this forum who have said it before – just do it! Do it sooner rather than later and start living life again! No its not the same as before. No its not perfect. But, it brought me out of what was no doubt some depression and in to a place (a very happy one) where my wife and I can now go on “normally” for hopefully many years to come. I thought my life was over at 48 when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Then began the roller coaster ride of emotions as the successful prostectomy was confirmed with a zero PSA, but then the associated ED, the trial and tribulations of medication, VED’s and injections, and then a confirmation of venous leakage – my options had run out, as had my patience. It would be nice if “scared stiff” had a literal affect  but it didn’t, so here I am now with no regrets. Just a couple of questions:
To other LGX recipients out there
1. One ongoing issue for me is the square part of the pump being at about a 45 degree angle which means one of the corners “points out” and is very uncomfortable rubbing inside and against my leg. I have tried rearranging things but to no avail. The ball of the pump does sit nicely in the middle between the boys. Anyone else had this issue and if so do things “toughen up” over time. Any other suggestions??
2. Also I think I have an issue with auto inflation and perhaps not total deflation which may be due to the reservoir having to be located “ectopically” due to my previous surgery. I’m also relatively fit with good muscle tone and believe that due to all of this the reservoir is having some pressure put on it and therefore not filling completely. I am squeezing the old fella and trying the “one pump lockout” procedure but still not sure if I am truly empty. I know there is now a new “flaccid” that I need to get used to but not quite sure how soft that should be now? Can someone provide some info.
Thanks to all and good luck to others who have ventured, or are about to venture, down the BBB path. I’m happy to now be a member!

[Dave92014]

To other LGX recipients out there
1. One ongoing issue for me is the square part of the pump being at about a 45 degree angle which means one of the corners “points out” and is very uncomfortable rubbing inside and against my leg. I have tried rearranging things but to no avail. The ball of the pump does sit nicely in the middle between the boys. Anyone else had this issue and if so do things “toughen up” over time. Any other suggestions??
2. Also I think I have an issue with auto inflation and perhaps not total deflation which may be due to the reservoir having to be located “ectopically” due to my previous surgery. I’m also relatively fit with good muscle tone and believe that due to all of this the reservoir is having some pressure put on it and therefore not filling completely. I am squeezing the old fella and trying the “one pump lockout” procedure but still not sure if I am truly empty. I know there is now a new “flaccid” that I need to get used to but not quite sure how soft that should be now? Can someone provide some info.
Thanks to all and good luck to others who have ventured, or are about to venture, down the BBB path. I’m happy to now be a member!

1. I did not have exactly the situation you describe but the left side of my scrotum was tender quite a bit longer than 4 weeks post-op. So things may imrove for you. You might do something to prevent the discomfort in the meantime. For instance the Jockey Poco briefs that many docs recommend help to hold the scrotum in place which might keep the pump from rubbing the leg. My doc had me place two 4 inch square gauze pads in the briefs to help support the scrotum post-op. After a couple of weeks the pads were rubbing my leg so I stopped using them . But something like that might work for you. I stopped using the Poco briefs after 3 or 4 weeks because they don't have a fly so you must drop your pants to pee, which is a bit of a nuisance. Since then I usually wear the normal jockey briefs. You might also try a jock strap to see if that keeps things supported to prevent your problem. My guess is that the only real fix would be to cut you open and reposition your pump and that would certainly be a fix of last resort, so better to try some simpler things and give it time to heal fully.
2. On the auto inflation, I have some of that but not enough to be a significant problem. But I have a couple of thoughts. One is that part of what appears to be inflation in the first weeks is your penis being a little inflammed from the surgery. That part will go away as things fully heal. That may or may not be contributing to what you see at this point. When I squeeze the penis and deflate, the penis becomes very obviously deflated. If you don't see that yet, it might indicate you are still in the healing phase. The other thing is that when you squeeze the penis, you only help deflate the front cylinders and not the back ones inside the body. I think that over time some fluid can then move from the back cylinders to the front to cause a little auto-inflation. The slight auto-inflation I have is not enough to be obvious to anyone other than myself.

Dave

[jjmann]

Thanks Dave. I appreciate the feedback and advice. Cheers.