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My AUS Procedure

kreinholt
kreinholt CSN Member Posts: 35
edited February 2023 in Prostate Cancer #1
I have read a few posts that describe a different procedure than what I experienced. I had mine in November 2010, so a lot may have changed since the other posts were written. The ones I have read describe an incision from the anus to the base of the penis. Mine was actually a 2 inch horizontal incision at the base of the penis from one scrotum to the other. Doesn't sound as bad as what I have been reading. I had a catheter right after surgery but it was removed the next day. My urologist did not activate the device for 6 weeks to ensure that I healed correctly so I still wore pads till then. Six weeks couldn't come soon enough but now that it is activated... To be honest, it took about that much time to heal. I now have a new lease on life. I forget it is even there because the old sensations of needing to pee are back. No pain or discomfort and it is easy and painless for me to use. I can still activate it at a urinal but need to completely open the front of my pants in order to get my hand in position to squeeze the pump (only once). Takes maybe 10 seconds for the cuff to fill back up and I am on my way.

Again, as far as the procedure goes, has the procedure changed or is my urologist ahead of his times in surgical breakthroughs? Has anyone had a similar experience? I don't want to lead anyone seeking the AUS astray or give them bum info. May even depend on the surgeon, don't know. I can only share my experience. I am loving it and looking forward to using it this summer and in the future.
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Comments

  • guards
    guards CSN Member Posts: 72
    #2
    surgery
    There are two methodes of incisions that you will read about if you dig enough. Yours is the newer one being expermented with. the other has 2 incisions 1 horzontal behind the scrotum and 1 above the penis but still well below the bellly button. The articals I read didn't rate one better that the other but a single incision might be less stress allthought I wonder if palcement is as easy.
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  • kreinholt
    kreinholt CSN Member Posts: 35
    #3
    guards said:

    surgery
    There are two methodes of incisions that you will read about if you dig enough. Yours is the newer one being expermented with. the other has 2 incisions 1 horzontal behind the scrotum and 1 above the penis but still well below the bellly button. The articals I read didn't rate one better that the other but a single incision might be less stress allthought I wonder if palcement is as easy.

    Procedure
    Couldn't tell you how difficult it was to place the AUS, but I can tell you that everything is working great and my procedure sounds a lot less intrusive and healed nicely without complications. I have heard stories of procedures close to the large intestine where they have issue with bowels afterwards. This is also the reason that I am glad that I had the option of having the Da Vinci procedure. Did not have that concern here. I guess knowing what I know now (wasn't aware of the other procedure), I would have definately gone the way I did. Frankly,I expected a lot worse but was pleased with the recovery and the results. I think that the medical community is on to something if I compare my story with others who have had the other procedure. I would recommend it. Thanks for your post.
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  • Roothead
    Roothead CSN Member Posts: 11
    #4
    I have had the same results
    I have had the same results a you. My implant was on Jan. 25 and activated on March 4. It worked immediately and I havent had a pad on since. The control pad reversed somehow but it works just fine. I have resumed all of my normal activities since before my prostate surgery in May 2010, except for going to work. I retired at age 63 in June of 2010. I couldn't be happier. The implant surgery was similar to yours with a small incision above the penis and a small incision in the scrotum. The scrotum incision still itches from time to time and the implant can be a little uncomfortable when sitting, but is easily avoided by grabbing the scrotum and shifting it slightly-I have no problem doing this wherever I am, its all about me now. Incontinence is awful for anyone to deal with. I am thankful for the AUS 800.
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  • jehfly28
    jehfly28 CSN Member Posts: 3 Member
    #5

    Hello all, I hope I'm doing this right. I'm having the ams 800 put in

    in a few weeks. I Just have a couple questions that I haven't been able to find an answer for.

    Is there a way to tell when the cuff has refilled?

    After pressing the ams 800 pump how long till urine starts to flow?


    Thanks Guys

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  • Josephg
    Josephg CSN Member Posts: 544 Member
    #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1704026#Comment_1704026

    The cuff will fully refill in less than 1 minute. No 'real' way to know when it has refilled, other than the pump will feel hard-ish, indicating that it is ready for use again.

    I usually softly press the pump 5 times in a row to fully drain the cuff, and urine will immediately flow.

    I have listed below some links to my posts with my experiences with the AUS 800, if you wish to peruse them.

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1324584#comment-1324584

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1326323#comment-1326323

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1339326#comment-1339326

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1339561#comment-1339561

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1344785#comment-1344785

    http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1413239#comment-1413239

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