AMS800 Activated!!

2

Comments

  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010 Member
    #22
    Trew said:

    Wow- 2 years already!

    I was surprised to find this post up again.  So I see I have had the AUS in for 2 yrs now.  Time for an update.

     

    For the first year it seemed I have little leakage. 

    Now, 2 years out, I am having some leakage problems.  Then, I am back to backpcking, riding a bike, doing things like that more, too.  And often when I sit on a hard surface like the ground or a rock it seems to put pressure on the AUS sphincter and I sometimes have some urine escape.  So now I am wearing a womans Always Infinity panty liners.  These are a lot cheaper than men's Tena pads.  I use a pair of scissors and shorten the pad by 1/4 or so and it works better for me.  My wife was a help to me in this- she picked up like 4 different brands of panty liners- Always Infinity work best for me.

     

    Still, remembering back to life before the AUS, well, just no comparison.  Back then, before AUS, I was using anywhere from 6- 15 pads a day.  Now, 1 or 2 panty liners.  And I am doing a lot more stuff.

     

    So, looking back- The AUS has been a big plus for me.

     

    -Trew

     

     

    Hi Trew and thanks for the

    Hi Trew and thanks for the update! Glad things are going so much better for you!

    lewvino

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #23
    activated

    Hey Trew,  After activation is/was there any follow up with the Doc. or ar you all set for several months?  I have about two more weeks before activation and have questions all the time.  Did the Doc recomend wearing a Medical ID bracelet, dog tags, or something to inform medical personal in case of some kind of emergency??  Did your wife or somebody else learn how to operate the pump in case you ar disabled???  These questions or thoughts came up on the first site that we where on in the early spring. Did the doc recomend the liners or did she feal there was no need for them, I plan on bringing a pad with me for after activation and also ask for a prescription for the liners. Any comments or suggestions that you might have would be appreaced.  Thanks  George  

     

     

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #24
    kozykitty said:

    activated

    Hey Trew,  After activation is/was there any follow up with the Doc. or ar you all set for several months?  I have about two more weeks before activation and have questions all the time.  Did the Doc recomend wearing a Medical ID bracelet, dog tags, or something to inform medical personal in case of some kind of emergency??  Did your wife or somebody else learn how to operate the pump in case you ar disabled???  These questions or thoughts came up on the first site that we where on in the early spring. Did the doc recomend the liners or did she feal there was no need for them, I plan on bringing a pad with me for after activation and also ask for a prescription for the liners. Any comments or suggestions that you might have would be appreaced.  Thanks  George  

     

     

    I have an ID card I card with

    I have an ID card I card with my medical Ins card.

     

    6 weeks after activation I had a follow up appointment.

     

    since I had the surgery done at a Univeristy hospital once the 6 weeks follow was over I released back to my regular urologist.  but he never checked that AUS or anything.

     

    that was it.

     

    the device in the scotum behaves just like a tesitcle.  There the testies go, the button device goes.  So if you are out side on a cold day and need to pee it can be a bit chaleenging to get a hold of the device.

     

    Etc.

     

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #25
    Trew said:

    I have an ID card I card with

    I have an ID card I card with my medical Ins card.

     

    6 weeks after activation I had a follow up appointment.

     

    since I had the surgery done at a Univeristy hospital once the 6 weeks follow was over I released back to my regular urologist.  but he never checked that AUS or anything.

     

    that was it.

     

    the device in the scotum behaves just like a tesitcle.  There the testies go, the button device goes.  So if you are out side on a cold day and need to pee it can be a bit chaleenging to get a hold of the device.

     

    Etc.

     

    follow up

    Thanks Trew

    I think your's was the first name I saw on this site since I started (the first time) and have been following your progress since them, unless there are tow of you!

    I hope/plan on leaving the next day for Flordia for the winter, but where I had my work done at the VA i'm sure I can have the follow up, if there is one, done at a VA hosp down there. If not I just won't have one. It's just getting too long a time and cold up here. (mass.) Due to agent orange exposure in Vietnam, the VA says my cancer was caused by that and they are taking care of me, Nice deal.

    I also have an ID card next to my licence, may-be next to the insurance card would be a better place. I think I'll still check into having an ID bracelet or something that might be quicker to spot.

    George

     

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #26
    kozykitty said:

    follow up

    Thanks Trew

    I think your's was the first name I saw on this site since I started (the first time) and have been following your progress since them, unless there are tow of you!

    I hope/plan on leaving the next day for Flordia for the winter, but where I had my work done at the VA i'm sure I can have the follow up, if there is one, done at a VA hosp down there. If not I just won't have one. It's just getting too long a time and cold up here. (mass.) Due to agent orange exposure in Vietnam, the VA says my cancer was caused by that and they are taking care of me, Nice deal.

    I also have an ID card next to my licence, may-be next to the insurance card would be a better place. I think I'll still check into having an ID bracelet or something that might be quicker to spot.

    George

     

    Happy travels!
     
    I moved out

    Happy travels!

     

    I moved out of Mich for AZ to get out of winter- I am done with 'em.  No more winter!!!

     

     

  • johnny p
    johnny p Member Posts: 5
    #27
    Trew said:

    Happy travels!
     
    I moved out

    Happy travels!

     

    I moved out of Mich for AZ to get out of winter- I am done with 'em.  No more winter!!!

     

     

    AMS800

    Hi all. Very interesting reading as I am to have an AMS 800 fitted on Wednesday 16 Oct 2013.I pray that mine will work as well as yours has done Trew. I have other problems as I have a recent recurrence of the cancer but one thing at a time.

    Johnny p

     

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #28
    johnny p said:

    AMS800

    Hi all. Very interesting reading as I am to have an AMS 800 fitted on Wednesday 16 Oct 2013.I pray that mine will work as well as yours has done Trew. I have other problems as I have a recent recurrence of the cancer but one thing at a time.

    Johnny p

     

    Johnny, the surgery sounded

    Johnny, the surgery sounded much worse than it turned out to be.

     

    You will have a lot of swelling, no way around that, but the end results were worth the surgery. 

     

    Enjoy the adventure!  I think the AMS is a good call for us men who leak all the time.

     

     

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #29
    Trew said:

    Johnny, the surgery sounded

    Johnny, the surgery sounded much worse than it turned out to be.

     

    You will have a lot of swelling, no way around that, but the end results were worth the surgery. 

     

    Enjoy the adventure!  I think the AMS is a good call for us men who leak all the time.

     

     

    activation

    The surgery wasn't as bad as I expected not much swelling, was expecting grapefruit sized testicals but they where not much more that a small apple and lasted only a few days may-be a week,  Not disappointed very happy and now on thursday the doc gets to turn me on and then friday it's off to fl for the winter.  Will be very upset if he tells me no.

    This is a great site for reassurance and what to expect, really glad I found it.

  • tpelle
    tpelle Member Posts: 184
    #30
    kozykitty said:

    activation

    The surgery wasn't as bad as I expected not much swelling, was expecting grapefruit sized testicals but they where not much more that a small apple and lasted only a few days may-be a week,  Not disappointed very happy and now on thursday the doc gets to turn me on and then friday it's off to fl for the winter.  Will be very upset if he tells me no.

    This is a great site for reassurance and what to expect, really glad I found it.

    Don't Forget to Turn On the Faucet

    Hi Kozykitty:  My AUS800 was activated this past spring.  I went home with a pad in my jockeys just in case.  But, the pad was dry at bedtime.  Since then, I have stood at the toilet several times waiting for the flow, forgetting that I had to turn on the faucet (pump).  Difficult for an old guy to change his habits after 80 years.

    Soon after activation I began using liners to catch minor drippage when I happened to sit on an irregular surface which would put pressure on the cuff.

    Enjoy your winter vacation and your new life with the automatic sphincter.  And, don't forget to turn it on at the appropriate time.  tpelle

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #31
    tpelle said:

    Don't Forget to Turn On the Faucet

    Hi Kozykitty:  My AUS800 was activated this past spring.  I went home with a pad in my jockeys just in case.  But, the pad was dry at bedtime.  Since then, I have stood at the toilet several times waiting for the flow, forgetting that I had to turn on the faucet (pump).  Difficult for an old guy to change his habits after 80 years.

    Soon after activation I began using liners to catch minor drippage when I happened to sit on an irregular surface which would put pressure on the cuff.

    Enjoy your winter vacation and your new life with the automatic sphincter.  And, don't forget to turn it on at the appropriate time.  tpelle

    turn on faucet

    Hi Tpelle.   Must be inbaressing to wait for nothing and then remenber.  I'm sure that will happen, but does an accitental release happen ofted and how irregular must things be??  Have you tried bike riding?  The cuff opens or does the pumpet avtivated?  Thanks KK

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #32
    tpelle said:

    Don't Forget to Turn On the Faucet

    Hi Kozykitty:  My AUS800 was activated this past spring.  I went home with a pad in my jockeys just in case.  But, the pad was dry at bedtime.  Since then, I have stood at the toilet several times waiting for the flow, forgetting that I had to turn on the faucet (pump).  Difficult for an old guy to change his habits after 80 years.

    Soon after activation I began using liners to catch minor drippage when I happened to sit on an irregular surface which would put pressure on the cuff.

    Enjoy your winter vacation and your new life with the automatic sphincter.  And, don't forget to turn it on at the appropriate time.  tpelle

    turn on faucet

    Hi Tpelle.   Must be inbaressing to wait for nothing and then remenber.  I'm sure that will happen, but does an accitental release happen ofted and how irregular must things be??  Have you tried bike riding?  The cuff opens or does the pumpet avtivated?  Thanks KK

  • tpelle
    tpelle Member Posts: 184
    #33
    kozykitty said:

    turn on faucet

    Hi Tpelle.   Must be inbaressing to wait for nothing and then remenber.  I'm sure that will happen, but does an accitental release happen ofted and how irregular must things be??  Have you tried bike riding?  The cuff opens or does the pumpet avtivated?  Thanks KK

    Accidental Release

    KK:  The drippage seldom happens (once or twice a week), and when it does I don't always know it at the time.  I'll get drippage sometime when getting into the car before being seated properly.  (You have to be a contortionist getting into a Prius).  Sometimes when I'm seated on the edge of stuffed chair cushions, etc.  In my case pump activations doesn't occur.  Even when you have the pump in hand, it's takes some pressure from the fingers to activate. The cuff is at the surface between the scrotum and the anus.  And when the cuff is met with some pressure, it allows  a few drips to occur.  I've never tried a bike, but I think the usual bike seat could cause just the type of pressure to the cuff which might allow leakage.  tpelle

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #34
    kozykitty said:

    turn on faucet

    Hi Tpelle.   Must be inbaressing to wait for nothing and then remenber.  I'm sure that will happen, but does an accitental release happen ofted and how irregular must things be??  Have you tried bike riding?  The cuff opens or does the pumpet avtivated?  Thanks KK

    I am back into backpacking. 

    I am back into backpacking.  When I sit on the ground I will often have some leakage, particularily when I move my bottom to get up.  So I now pack and use panty liners when backpacking.  It helps a lot.

     

    Bike seats, sitting on hard ground or just an unusal swevel in a chair may cause some urine to leak.  sometmes as much as 1- 2 Tbs. And once in a great while a little more.

     

    Still nice to have life. 

     

     

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #35
    turned on!!!

    got turned on at about 12 noon and have been dry since used one pad all day still dry and worked valve three times great invention, will keep you informed after we get to Fl., Monday or Tuesday.  will let you know how the trip went.  KK

  • johnny p
    johnny p Member Posts: 5
    #36
    Trew said:

    Johnny, the surgery sounded

    Johnny, the surgery sounded much worse than it turned out to be.

     

    You will have a lot of swelling, no way around that, but the end results were worth the surgery. 

     

    Enjoy the adventure!  I think the AMS is a good call for us men who leak all the time.

     

     

    AMS 800 now fitted

    Thanks for your encouragement Trew.The op went well with one over night stay in Hospital. Yes things are black & blue & swollen but not too bad. Its more uncomfortable than painful and the main effort is to go towards keeping it all clean to stop infection. The nurse told me that it is impossible to keep the incision sites sterile due to their location and therefore we have to continue with antibiotics for one week. So far so good .

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #37
    still dry

    Made it to Fl this afternoon and was dry all the way! YIPEE! used the pad for driving just to be sure and no pad at night,  last pad today and no pad now and still dry. only slight problem is trying to go when not necessary, also it's hard to hold the slippery little pump,May-be if I tried two handed but I just seem to get in the way with the other hand.  Tried the urnal but with the pad I had to drop my draws so that wasn't too convient, will have to try without the pad.   All in all it is a GREAT invention and SOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to be DRY.  Will try bike riding in a couple of days and will let you know how I make out.  KK

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #38
    kozykitty said:

    still dry

    Made it to Fl this afternoon and was dry all the way! YIPEE! used the pad for driving just to be sure and no pad at night,  last pad today and no pad now and still dry. only slight problem is trying to go when not necessary, also it's hard to hold the slippery little pump,May-be if I tried two handed but I just seem to get in the way with the other hand.  Tried the urnal but with the pad I had to drop my draws so that wasn't too convient, will have to try without the pad.   All in all it is a GREAT invention and SOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to be DRY.  Will try bike riding in a couple of days and will let you know how I make out.  KK

    KK, sounds like it is working

    KK, sounds like it is working well.  It seems to me from day 1 the surgery either works or it doesn't.  Sounds like you are one of those  success stories.

     

    Sometimes it like playing marbles down there, you go to pump and the device shots sideways and knocks into the other 2, but you will get better with practice. 

     

    You will learn to keep your hand on the pump until it is completely re-inflated to prevent post-drippings.  A woman's panty liner is good for that problem.

     

    Big thumbs up to you KK and I share your enthusiam.  I a great moment to realize "I am dry again!!!" 

     

     

     

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #39
    johnny p said:

    AMS 800 now fitted

    Thanks for your encouragement Trew.The op went well with one over night stay in Hospital. Yes things are black & blue & swollen but not too bad. Its more uncomfortable than painful and the main effort is to go towards keeping it all clean to stop infection. The nurse told me that it is impossible to keep the incision sites sterile due to their location and therefore we have to continue with antibiotics for one week. So far so good .

    Johnny, I too was amazed how

    Johnny, I too was amazed how much better the surgery went than what I imagined. 

     

    And I had no problem with the healing.

     

    I doubt you will either.

     

     

  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #40
    johnny p said:

    AMS 800 now fitted

    Thanks for your encouragement Trew.The op went well with one over night stay in Hospital. Yes things are black & blue & swollen but not too bad. Its more uncomfortable than painful and the main effort is to go towards keeping it all clean to stop infection. The nurse told me that it is impossible to keep the incision sites sterile due to their location and therefore we have to continue with antibiotics for one week. So far so good .

    Johnny, I too was amazed how

    Johnny, I too was amazed how much better the surgery went than what I imagined. 

     

    And I had no problem with the healing.

     

    I doubt you will either.

     

     

  • kozykitty
    kozykitty Member Posts: 15
    #41
    still dry

    Just wanted to let you all know, I'm still dry and pad free after 7 days! It was a week since activation last Thursday. Still haven't tried bike riding, may-be this week-end.  Only problem is sometimes I can't get the pump to release, seems I can't find the right spot and other times it's right there.  I find the pump just not the bubble, then it gets frustrating but still better than the pads. It's great not to have to always have a pad handy just in case you stay out too long or you have been "leaking" more that usual.

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