Becoming Bionic

[C_lab34]

I think maybe I freaked out unnecessarily because I felt warm in the face, but also there might be something wrong with my oral thermometer. My girlfriend and nurse checked the thermometer on herself and also got a 99 degree reading. So now she is running to CVS to get another thermometer. There are no other signs of infection, swelling is going down, the incision looks good, no redness or pain, and no pus, leakage or drainage of any fluids. I think my hypochondriac soul just emerged, but I'm still a little scared. Thanks so much guys for the reassurance. I have also had the sweating but you are right, it must just be a reaction to the inflammation and trauma and not infection.

[Anonymous 3]

C-lab
Do not worry, 99F is a normal temperature. While "normal" is considered to be 98.6, as Merrix said, normal for you might be higher, or lower than that. A temperature is not considered to be of any significance until it is 100.4 or above. If an infection is to occur, a very small chance by the way, it won't be until a week or two or later. I am assuming you are taking post op antibiotics so you are getting protection from those. I understand that infection is a major concern, but if your incision is not looking angry and red along the sides, if there is no discharge and no extra pain you are in good shape. Just the worry about it all can raise your blood pressure and even your temp a little. I found that a couple of extra strength ibuprofen helped a with mild pain. It is an anti inflammatory and works by reducing inflammation and therefore pain. Tylenol does little for me.

I know that telling you to just relax is darned annoying for you, 'cuz how could I possibly know what you are going through, but....oh wait, I have gone through it. Okay then, just relax, watch a good movie with your nurse, okay?

[alibaba]

As some of you know I am immune compromised as is my wife and a friend whose is induced by drugs because his immune system attacks his skin and joints for some reason. As such we have points from time to time where a cold could kill us. the common factor when an infection is present is a temperature of 101° or above. At that time intervention is required. Below can be nothing more than exercise or stress. Most doctors will give you or post on their web page, post surgical instructions when to contact them for a high temperature. An obvious sign would be red burning skin and a temperature. Hope this helps. d

[strongagain]

Additionally, he found that the initial 21 cm +2cm RTE device did not go all the way to the glans, so he took that one out, added another 1 cm RTE. Upon test inflation, he saw that the right cylinder was still a bit short, so he added another half cm RTE to that side. All together, my measurements were 14 cm up and 10 cm down on the left, and 14 1/2 cm up and 10 cm down on the right. At that point he was satisfied with the test inflation, the pump was placed deep and dependent in the scrotum, and I was sown up.

I was under the impression that Kramer isn't fond of RTEs. You have a 21 cm long implant + 3 cm RTE. Why not a 24 cm implant?

[C_lab34]

I don't remember the exact technical reason, but it has something to do with the AMS brand pump. I guess that it has a tendency to sit high in the scrotum on longer devices, but that somehow by adding RTE's you can get it lower. You don't want a pump to be high up, you want it as low as possible, so if the device is an AMS, it's better to use RTE's. He told me that the RTE's are deep enough in body that it won't effect rigidity or stability. You are right though, I do seem to recall someone saying that Kramer had said he didn't like them. But he explained his reasoning to me and it seemed like it's just not a big deal.

Also I want to thank everyone for reassuring me about the high temperature. I didn't know it was common to have a slightly elevated body temp for a while after surgery, and I feel so much better about it now. I actually got some decent rest last night, and things are already improving. Swelling is way down in the scrotum and penis now.

[strongagain]

I don't remember the exact technical reason, but it has something to do with the AMS brand pump. I guess that it has a tendency to sit high in the scrotum on longer devices, but that somehow by adding RTE's you can get it lower. You don't want a pump to be high up, you want it as low as possible, so if the device is an AMS, it's better to use RTE's. He told me that the RTE's are deep enough in body that it won't effect rigidity or stability. You are right though, I do seem to recall someone saying that Kramer had said he didn't like them. But he explained his reasoning to me and it seemed like it's just not a big deal.

My implant is 22 cm + 3 cm RTE. I asked him why he didn't use a 24 cm + 1 cm RTE. Answer: he feared the tubes might be too short with a longer implant... He also said that there is no clinical reason why not using a 3 cm RTE.

[merrix]

This is exactly what Eid told me.
AMS has shorter tubing between pump and cylinders than Titan, so the pump risks sitting too high.
This can be fixed with using RTEs.
Using RTEs will place the implant further out, creating more usable tubing length which will make it possible to place the pump further down in the scrotum.

[alibaba]

I think the issue with the AMS having too short tubing is if the doc chooses to use the preassembled version that comes with the pump already attached. Personally, I think using the kit version that has the pieces separate so they can cut the tubing to length makes much more sense as no two people's bodies are the same. I really woul dbe pissed to find out the doc used the preassembled one implant fits all version then started stacking adapter kits to it till it filled the hole. it would be like buying # 12 shoes when you have 8 feet and stuffing news papers in the shoe till they fit. I know some like the preconnected so the they can do the whole implant in 15 minutes. I read once it cuts surgery time in half. In my past experience the quickie surgery methods never have the desired outcome. I've had two surgeries that they changed to a quickie method while I was in surgery, very much the opposite the way the doctors said they would be done in pre surgery consults and both had poor outcomes and unfortunately cannot be revised like a penile implant. When I told Dr. Milam that I did not want some stacked together erector kit cobbled together mess, he said he would use the AMS LGX and no tip extender if possible, one at most. They also make different kits for normal reservoir placement and a long tube version for large bodies or those who have had hernia repairs and it has to be located elsewhere.

[C_lab34]

At day 4, the pulsating, aching pain is entirely gone. I haven't taken an oxycodone since yesterday morning at about 6. I took one ibuprofen last night, and nothing at all today. So that's a pretty big improvement I'd say. I still have decent swelling in the scrotum, and some edema too, though that has also gotten better. A little bruising on the left and right side right where my penis meets my pelvis as well. I'm moving around a bit more, scooting about the house in 5 or 10 minute increments or so. Starting to get a little stir crazy, or some cabin fever, if you will. I am typically a very active person, and I love to lift weights, rock climb, take long walks, and just keep things moving and dynamic. So this inactivity could, if I let it, really bring me down. I am remaining focused on my recovery and the kind of life I will be able to lead once I am healed and functional. Even though I do have some dark thoughts, I feel so optimistic already about where I am going, the new freedom and confidence I will have, and all the ways that my happiness will make a positive impact on other people in my life. Dr. Kramer has been checking in with me every day to make sure things are okay. I know there is a bit of a gushing fan club for this doctor, and I know there are other highly skilled, excellent doctors that perform this procedure as well, but I can't recommend him enough to any prospective patient. After years of being treated like some kind of a freak or a nuisance by cranky, ill mannered, uncomprehending doctors, Dr. Kramer has been a godsend.

[alibaba]

Sounds like you are doing awesome considering it looked like the multiple attempts to get the placement right was brutal. Keep on doing well. 4 days and 36 minutes to my scheduled time, as if I am counting. d