AUS Update

2

Comments

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #22
    Joeg said:

    Great to hear you are doing well!!
    Trew,
    So good to hear from you. Glad you are doing well.
    I am still doing good. I was out of bed all day today. Mowed the grass on a riding tractor, waxed a couple of panels on my truck and still not dripping. What a wonderful feeling! I am sure the dripping will start again, at some point, but I am enjoying every moment in this state. I know we both are praying that in 6 weeks or less we will not have to worry about this problem again.
    I can relate to the donut. -:) I used one when I had the Advance sling but I have not needed to use it for the AUS surgery.
    Take it very easy and keep us updated on how you are doing.

    Comparing Doctors
    My doctor gave me a long list of no-nos. Riding lawn mower is on the no-no list. so is all lifting over 6 lbs, restricted ways to sit, no driving a car for 4 weeks, absolutely no bike, horse or rail? riding for 6 months.

    Interesting isn't it? I am sore, tired, on pain meds, of course, but the pain is on the low end right now. urethra is definitly feeling the pressure from swollen tissue.

    I have to locate the button and gently tug it downwards 2xs a day to keep it in place.

    I had a very difficult intubation- three docs came and talked to my wife after surgery. I am one rare bird it seems- i have no epigolttis in my throat. The doc in charge of the anethesaisa sp? said he would never forget me. if I ever had surgery again at U of MI I am suppose to request him my name.

    Enough for now.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #23
    guards said:

    Finally
    Its really suprising the difference in doctor's . Joel had a catheter for the first night and will be activated in just 4 weeks. You apparently had none same as I. It sure woulda been nice in my case. You will wait 6 weeks same as I did. If you don't get any blockage the rest is easy , That was my only problem the rest was minor discomfort so sounds like it all down hill now bud. Glad you were able to finally get here !

    Cath- I had one for 23 hrs
    Nice bliss. Funny how a guy can come to enjoy having a cath in for a week or a day. anything away from the leaking.

    I have to wait a full 6 weeks to get activiated. I am also on a long list of restrictions as noted in my response above.

    Right now the tissue is swelling and the urine flow with a push is a trickle. And I am an interesting shade of purple. Or some color close to purple.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #24
    Trew said:

    Cath- I had one for 23 hrs
    Nice bliss. Funny how a guy can come to enjoy having a cath in for a week or a day. anything away from the leaking.

    I have to wait a full 6 weeks to get activiated. I am also on a long list of restrictions as noted in my response above.

    Right now the tissue is swelling and the urine flow with a push is a trickle. And I am an interesting shade of purple. Or some color close to purple.

    One Week Post-op
    Trew,
    Hope the side effects of surgery are getting better for you. I was expecting some shade of purple and I am totally amazed that the swelling and bruising are starting to subside. The Advance sling surgery was much more tramatic and painful.
    I am still not dripping and loving every moment of being dry. I expect the drip is going to return as recovery continues. The first few days I did have to push to get a stream the size of a pencil lead to come out. It is getting easier to go.
    I go back to the Dr. at MSKCC next Tues. 8/16 for a checkup and I continue with the antibiotics 4 times a day.
    All the best.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #25
    Joeg said:

    One Week Post-op
    Trew,
    Hope the side effects of surgery are getting better for you. I was expecting some shade of purple and I am totally amazed that the swelling and bruising are starting to subside. The Advance sling surgery was much more tramatic and painful.
    I am still not dripping and loving every moment of being dry. I expect the drip is going to return as recovery continues. The first few days I did have to push to get a stream the size of a pencil lead to come out. It is getting easier to go.
    I go back to the Dr. at MSKCC next Tues. 8/16 for a checkup and I continue with the antibiotics 4 times a day.
    All the best.

    Day 3
    Joeg, glad to hear of your forward progress. sounds similar to mine

    I am on the antibiotics 4x a day, too. the sctoum is very sensitive to the touch. I locate the control button and gently nudge it downwards as instructed, but it is not comfortable doing that. However, I am doing much better today- day 3. Strange color is changing back towards a more normal color and the swelling is actually starting to go down a bit.

    I had two incisions: one on the bottom and one on the lower abdoman that is tender when I cough or move in our out of bed, etc. I feel a great sense of relief with the surgery now behind me. the decision is made.
  • WolverineToo
    WolverineToo Member Posts: 1
    #26
    Trew said:

    Day 3
    Joeg, glad to hear of your forward progress. sounds similar to mine

    I am on the antibiotics 4x a day, too. the sctoum is very sensitive to the touch. I locate the control button and gently nudge it downwards as instructed, but it is not comfortable doing that. However, I am doing much better today- day 3. Strange color is changing back towards a more normal color and the swelling is actually starting to go down a bit.

    I had two incisions: one on the bottom and one on the lower abdoman that is tender when I cough or move in our out of bed, etc. I feel a great sense of relief with the surgery now behind me. the decision is made.

    AUS vs Advance sling
    Trew (Joeg too)

    I'm new to this forum but not new to the RP post op incontinence problems. My surgery was almost 10 years ago now and I am truly thankful I am cancer free so far. But I am growing weary of the pads and getting really wet sometimes just getting out of the car. I also get up 5 or 6 times a night and I have for years. I gather I have both stress incontinence and an over active bladder. Neither 4 different kinds of prescriptions or collagen shots helped at all. So here I am trying to decide just what to do. Incidently I have Dr. Latini too and I think she is a doll; no one could be nicer and she was highly recommended to me by a doctor I trust. I'm glad to hear you concur.

    Please let me know why you went the AUS route and how you are doing. I'll pray you recover quickly and get great results too.
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #27
    WolverineToo said:

    AUS vs Advance sling
    Trew (Joeg too)

    I'm new to this forum but not new to the RP post op incontinence problems. My surgery was almost 10 years ago now and I am truly thankful I am cancer free so far. But I am growing weary of the pads and getting really wet sometimes just getting out of the car. I also get up 5 or 6 times a night and I have for years. I gather I have both stress incontinence and an over active bladder. Neither 4 different kinds of prescriptions or collagen shots helped at all. So here I am trying to decide just what to do. Incidently I have Dr. Latini too and I think she is a doll; no one could be nicer and she was highly recommended to me by a doctor I trust. I'm glad to hear you concur.

    Please let me know why you went the AUS route and how you are doing. I'll pray you recover quickly and get great results too.

    Day 3 update
    Trew
    It is great reading your post and seeing it all functioning perfectly. I wonder if the “switch” can be remote-operated. You would need an encrypted code.
    (Just joking)

    Wishing you a continuous good outcome.
    VG
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #28
    VascodaGama said:

    Day 3 update
    Trew
    It is great reading your post and seeing it all functioning perfectly. I wonder if the “switch” can be remote-operated. You would need an encrypted code.
    (Just joking)

    Wishing you a continuous good outcome.
    VG

    it would be very nice, indeed if there was one similar to something you use to open a car. Just touch the button and go. How nice.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #29
    WolverineToo said:

    AUS vs Advance sling
    Trew (Joeg too)

    I'm new to this forum but not new to the RP post op incontinence problems. My surgery was almost 10 years ago now and I am truly thankful I am cancer free so far. But I am growing weary of the pads and getting really wet sometimes just getting out of the car. I also get up 5 or 6 times a night and I have for years. I gather I have both stress incontinence and an over active bladder. Neither 4 different kinds of prescriptions or collagen shots helped at all. So here I am trying to decide just what to do. Incidently I have Dr. Latini too and I think she is a doll; no one could be nicer and she was highly recommended to me by a doctor I trust. I'm glad to hear you concur.

    Please let me know why you went the AUS route and how you are doing. I'll pray you recover quickly and get great results too.

    WHY the AUS?
    I have been reading every post that is posted on the sling and AUS (AMS 800) and the AUS to me appeared to be the only choice. Incontinence is a lifestyle changer. I think it could drive a guy to suicide eventually. So staying wet was no option. How to stop the leaking? The only answer that realy semmed viable to me was getting the AUS installed.

    And yes, Dr. Latini at the U of MI has a very reassuring manner about her. I felt very confident going into this surgery with her doing it. I have not met a doctor I have felt so comfortable with as her.

    This is day 5 for me. the control button is right at the bottom of the scrotum where it should be. I do do the gentle tugs twice a day- maybe 3x but right now my scrotum is very sensitive to touch and the botton is exactly where I think it is suppose to be so the tugs are very very very lightly done right now. Anyone have any feedback on that? As the swelling goes down the tugging should become easier. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to have to actually push the button in to go right now. OUCH!!

    I was actually surprised how easy this surgery has gone. I stopped pain meds on the 2nd day out. I am just taking the antibiotics and stool softener now. I am so releived this all behind me. Sitting is a challenge. I was given a "donut' at the hospitl. It sprung a leak the 3rd day. So I sent the wife out to fine a small float tube. she found 5 at a dollar store for $1.12 each. They are working just great! One popped, but I have 4 left.

    Wolverine- i hope this answers a few of your questions.

    I
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #30
    Post AUS- Day 9
    Incisions are tender- not bad. This morning I am wearing NO pad. Still enough swelling I guess to keep the drip from happening- but right now I am almost dry. amazing. So nice not to wear a pad. And still almost 5 weeks from getting the AMS 800 activated.

    Healing is going well.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #31
    WolverineToo said:

    AUS vs Advance sling
    Trew (Joeg too)

    I'm new to this forum but not new to the RP post op incontinence problems. My surgery was almost 10 years ago now and I am truly thankful I am cancer free so far. But I am growing weary of the pads and getting really wet sometimes just getting out of the car. I also get up 5 or 6 times a night and I have for years. I gather I have both stress incontinence and an over active bladder. Neither 4 different kinds of prescriptions or collagen shots helped at all. So here I am trying to decide just what to do. Incidently I have Dr. Latini too and I think she is a doll; no one could be nicer and she was highly recommended to me by a doctor I trust. I'm glad to hear you concur.

    Please let me know why you went the AUS route and how you are doing. I'll pray you recover quickly and get great results too.

    AUS vs. Advance Sling
    WolverineToo,
    I am sure you are growing very weary of your incontinence after 10 years. You are much more patient than me. I am a little more than 2 years since RP surgery and incontinence has controlled my life since then.
    I think your Dr. will recommend the Advance sling or the AUS based on your urodynamics study and cystoscopy. Dr. Latini is well respected and I am sure she will provide you will sound advice on what approach you should take.
    Unfortunately for me, a Dr. thought the sling would fix me so I tried that first but my incontinence only got worse after the sling was implanted in Dec. 2010. I seem to always fall on the wrong side of the percentages. I am 15 days out from the AUS surgery and I am hoping and praying that I will finally be dry. Hind sight is 20/20 but if I had it to do all over again, I would skip the sling. I had more post-op issues with the sling than I have had with the AUS.
    I wish you the best as you go through the decision process. Keep us updated on how you are doing.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #32
    WolverineToo said:

    AUS vs Advance sling
    Trew (Joeg too)

    I'm new to this forum but not new to the RP post op incontinence problems. My surgery was almost 10 years ago now and I am truly thankful I am cancer free so far. But I am growing weary of the pads and getting really wet sometimes just getting out of the car. I also get up 5 or 6 times a night and I have for years. I gather I have both stress incontinence and an over active bladder. Neither 4 different kinds of prescriptions or collagen shots helped at all. So here I am trying to decide just what to do. Incidently I have Dr. Latini too and I think she is a doll; no one could be nicer and she was highly recommended to me by a doctor I trust. I'm glad to hear you concur.

    Please let me know why you went the AUS route and how you are doing. I'll pray you recover quickly and get great results too.

    AUS vs. Advance Sling
    WolverineToo,
    I am sure you are growing very weary of your incontinence after 10 years. You are much more patient than me. I am a little more than 2 years since RP surgery and incontinence has controlled my life since then.
    I think your Dr. will recommend the Advance sling or the AUS based on your urodynamics study and cystoscopy. Dr. Latini is well respected and I am sure she will provide you will sound advice on what approach you should take.
    Unfortunately for me, a Dr. thought the sling would fix me so I tried that first but my incontinence only got worse after the sling was implanted in Dec. 2010. I seem to always fall on the wrong side of the percentages. I am 15 days out from the AUS surgery and I am hoping and praying that I will finally be dry. Hind sight is 20/20 but if I had it to do all over again, I would skip the sling. I had more post-op issues with the sling than I have had with the AUS.
    I wish you the best as you go through the decision process. Keep us updated on how you are doing.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #33
    Trew said:

    Post AUS- Day 9
    Incisions are tender- not bad. This morning I am wearing NO pad. Still enough swelling I guess to keep the drip from happening- but right now I am almost dry. amazing. So nice not to wear a pad. And still almost 5 weeks from getting the AMS 800 activated.

    Healing is going well.

    2 Week Post AUS Check up
    I had my 2 week post-op checkup today at MSKCC in NYC. Dr. said I am healing very well and he will see me on Sept 6 for activation, as planned. The 2 weeks of antibiotics are finished and I am still not dripping. The swelling continues to go down. I have no complaints. This recovery period has been uneventful and I am very thankful.
    Trew, hope you are doing great, too.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #34
    Joeg said:

    2 Week Post AUS Check up
    I had my 2 week post-op checkup today at MSKCC in NYC. Dr. said I am healing very well and he will see me on Sept 6 for activation, as planned. The 2 weeks of antibiotics are finished and I am still not dripping. The swelling continues to go down. I have no complaints. This recovery period has been uneventful and I am very thankful.
    Trew, hope you are doing great, too.

    I'm not dripping at all,
    I'm not dripping at all, either. I slept with no pad last night and was dry this morning. One pad change all day today. It is like bliss!

    I went for a walk yesterday and for got to put a pad in and was wet then I got home after 20 min walk- wet, but not soaked. I am back to U of MI on Monday for post-op check up. the "on" button seems to be staying at the bottom of my sack. so far, all is well.
  • Tortola
    Tortola Member Posts: 2
    #35
    Joeg said:

    2 Week Post AUS Check up
    I had my 2 week post-op checkup today at MSKCC in NYC. Dr. said I am healing very well and he will see me on Sept 6 for activation, as planned. The 2 weeks of antibiotics are finished and I am still not dripping. The swelling continues to go down. I have no complaints. This recovery period has been uneventful and I am very thankful.
    Trew, hope you are doing great, too.

    Arcus Medical
    Until you guys who are in waiting for the AUS or waiting for the button to be pushed should look into this device. No pads during the day and you are dry.

    I started leaking after a Turp and have tried everything posted on the web and this works! I am in the early stages of evaluation at Duke for either the Sling or the AMS 800 and from what I'm seeing the AUS is the way to go.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #36
    Tortola said:

    Arcus Medical
    Until you guys who are in waiting for the AUS or waiting for the button to be pushed should look into this device. No pads during the day and you are dry.

    I started leaking after a Turp and have tried everything posted on the web and this works! I am in the early stages of evaluation at Duke for either the Sling or the AMS 800 and from what I'm seeing the AUS is the way to go.

    Afex from Arcus Medical helped me
    I used the Afex system from Arcus Medical for most of my 2+ years of incontinence. I leaked more than pads could hold and I had to find a way to become active with the constant drip that plaqued me since the catheter was removed after RP. The Afex system was the best alternative for me. I did have some issues with the bags leaking but Arcus Medical always replaced the defective bags without a problem. I had to pay out of pocket since I am not old enough for Medicare but it was worth it.
    I had my sling surgery at Duke and it completely failed and it made my incontinence worse. Make sure you ask lots of questions when you go for your evaluation and make sure the "expert" is doing the surgery and not one of the 'fellows'. I have a copy of the operative report and I cannot tell who actually did the placement of the sling. All I know is that it failed. After the sling surgery, I was out of the hospital in less than 2 hours and had to remove the catheter myself 3 days after the surgery.
    Almost nine months after the sling surgery, I am 3 weeks out from AUS surgery and I feel like a million dollars. I spent one night in the hospital and the catheter was removed before I left. I have leaked a few drops since surgery. I am wearing a panti liner just because I am anticipating the drip will start at some point before activation on Sept 6. Hopefully not, and I am only 2 weeks from the big day!!
    Best of luck to you and let us know how the evaluation is going and what you decide to do.
  • Tortola
    Tortola Member Posts: 2
    #37
    Joeg said:

    Afex from Arcus Medical helped me
    I used the Afex system from Arcus Medical for most of my 2+ years of incontinence. I leaked more than pads could hold and I had to find a way to become active with the constant drip that plaqued me since the catheter was removed after RP. The Afex system was the best alternative for me. I did have some issues with the bags leaking but Arcus Medical always replaced the defective bags without a problem. I had to pay out of pocket since I am not old enough for Medicare but it was worth it.
    I had my sling surgery at Duke and it completely failed and it made my incontinence worse. Make sure you ask lots of questions when you go for your evaluation and make sure the "expert" is doing the surgery and not one of the 'fellows'. I have a copy of the operative report and I cannot tell who actually did the placement of the sling. All I know is that it failed. After the sling surgery, I was out of the hospital in less than 2 hours and had to remove the catheter myself 3 days after the surgery.
    Almost nine months after the sling surgery, I am 3 weeks out from AUS surgery and I feel like a million dollars. I spent one night in the hospital and the catheter was removed before I left. I have leaked a few drops since surgery. I am wearing a panti liner just because I am anticipating the drip will start at some point before activation on Sept 6. Hopefully not, and I am only 2 weeks from the big day!!
    Best of luck to you and let us know how the evaluation is going and what you decide to do.

    AUS Follow-Up
    I know there is a 4-6 week wait after surgery before activation and my question is what is the stay in the hospital and what post-op visits are there. I live in Western NC and it is a four + hour drive to Duke and I wonder if driving or riding in a car is possible for the first few visits.
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #38
    Tortola said:

    AUS Follow-Up
    I know there is a 4-6 week wait after surgery before activation and my question is what is the stay in the hospital and what post-op visits are there. I live in Western NC and it is a four + hour drive to Duke and I wonder if driving or riding in a car is possible for the first few visits.

    AUS follow up
    I spent one night in the hospital but Duke may different. I thought they did the AUS surgery and send you home the same day.
    I had to go back to see the Dr. in NYC after 2 weeks and the next visit is on activation day. I am sure I will need to go back for follow up after activation but I am not sure of that schedule.
    You may want to call the doctors office to get the scoop.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #39
    3 Weeks post- op
    3 weeks today. I am still too tender in the scrotum to be pushing any button yet but I am seeing daily progres now in decreased swelling. I have started feeling the entire device now under the skin. Still 3 weesk to go before activation for me.

    I am 90 miles from the U of MI where I had my surgery. The 2 week post-op visit wasn't that difficult. I drove myself there and back and even stopped off at an REI store and did a little shopping in Ann Arbor and tried on a couple of pair of pants.

    I have read so much about sling failures on-line I wanted nothing to do with them. Dr Latini suggested that possiblity at one time but I rejected it outright- I wanted nothing to do with a sling.

    I did get the hospital statment from the U of MI hospital today. Total: $42,200. Trying to read all the medical stuff that was on the two itemized pages I think the AMS800 cost about $27,000. I would be interested in knowing what others have been charged.

    The cost of radiaton was like $50,000+ and the de vinci surgery wasn't cheap, either. Hormone shots- two of them- where like $1,500 each, plus scoped I think about 8 x at something like $1,200 each, plus one OR procedure to remove scare tissue in the urethrea- like around $10,000 and a procedure to remove scare tissue in a uro's office that was a few thousand. this hasn't been cheap.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #40
    Trew said:

    3 Weeks post- op
    3 weeks today. I am still too tender in the scrotum to be pushing any button yet but I am seeing daily progres now in decreased swelling. I have started feeling the entire device now under the skin. Still 3 weesk to go before activation for me.

    I am 90 miles from the U of MI where I had my surgery. The 2 week post-op visit wasn't that difficult. I drove myself there and back and even stopped off at an REI store and did a little shopping in Ann Arbor and tried on a couple of pair of pants.

    I have read so much about sling failures on-line I wanted nothing to do with them. Dr Latini suggested that possiblity at one time but I rejected it outright- I wanted nothing to do with a sling.

    I did get the hospital statment from the U of MI hospital today. Total: $42,200. Trying to read all the medical stuff that was on the two itemized pages I think the AMS800 cost about $27,000. I would be interested in knowing what others have been charged.

    The cost of radiaton was like $50,000+ and the de vinci surgery wasn't cheap, either. Hormone shots- two of them- where like $1,500 each, plus scoped I think about 8 x at something like $1,200 each, plus one OR procedure to remove scare tissue in the urethrea- like around $10,000 and a procedure to remove scare tissue in a uro's office that was a few thousand. this hasn't been cheap.

    Hi Trew

    Just coming over from H&N to check up on you, glad to see it all went well and you are doing as well as possible.

    Take care my friend
    Hondo
  • Joeg
    Joeg Member Posts: 13
    #41
    Trew said:

    3 Weeks post- op
    3 weeks today. I am still too tender in the scrotum to be pushing any button yet but I am seeing daily progres now in decreased swelling. I have started feeling the entire device now under the skin. Still 3 weesk to go before activation for me.

    I am 90 miles from the U of MI where I had my surgery. The 2 week post-op visit wasn't that difficult. I drove myself there and back and even stopped off at an REI store and did a little shopping in Ann Arbor and tried on a couple of pair of pants.

    I have read so much about sling failures on-line I wanted nothing to do with them. Dr Latini suggested that possiblity at one time but I rejected it outright- I wanted nothing to do with a sling.

    I did get the hospital statment from the U of MI hospital today. Total: $42,200. Trying to read all the medical stuff that was on the two itemized pages I think the AMS800 cost about $27,000. I would be interested in knowing what others have been charged.

    The cost of radiaton was like $50,000+ and the de vinci surgery wasn't cheap, either. Hormone shots- two of them- where like $1,500 each, plus scoped I think about 8 x at something like $1,200 each, plus one OR procedure to remove scare tissue in the urethrea- like around $10,000 and a procedure to remove scare tissue in a uro's office that was a few thousand. this hasn't been cheap.

    Activation Day is Sept 6
    Expect an update tomorrow night after I return from NYC for Activation. Leaking has increased over the last week but still not as bad before the surgery. It has been a long journey as most of you have experienced as well.
    Happy Labor Day! Here's to dry days ahead.

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