Incontinence-Male Sling System

Bob_S said:

I have had my Cystoscopy and Urodynamic tests and using the results my Uro and I decided on the InVance Sling System. He predicted a 92% effectiveness. Last week I had the operation, and the following is my post op status that I sent to my Uro:

Dear Dr. Steele,

It's been over a week now since you inserted my InVance Sling, and I'm delighted to say that I am 100% dry. It far exceeded my expectations. On the day of my proceedure I packed 6 pads to take care of my overnight. I never had to unpack them. I have not used or needed a pad since the day of my operation. I have not had the slightest drip or leak.
As instructed I have completed the 7 days of antibiotics, and have avioded heavy lifting. I've increased my walking every day. Yesterday I went to Newport, RI and walked 5 miles, had lunch with a friend, had a beer, and never bothered to bring pads. I was in total control. At this point the only the only discomfort I have is when I'm sitting on a hard chair, but that gets less and less each day. I'm on no pain medication whatsoever.
I have an appointment to see you in a couple of weeks so until then - Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you!

Bob

kemahbum said:

duque, I had the sling inplanted at MDA three weeks ago. I was 3-yrs post op, RP, going through 2-3 biggest pads a day (8 - 9 ounces urine each)...more if I consumed too much alcohol. I'm almost pad-free now. I use a very thin pad and they last 24 hrs. I may get a small dribble if I bend over w/full bladder or sneeze without clinching tight. For a couple of days after surgery I had difficulty voiding. Had to push really hard and it hurt like hell. I read that that is good. It indicates the sling is doing it's job and the effort required to void lessens after a couple of days. I still have to push hard, but the incision is healing and straining doesn't hurt now. Three weeks post-op, my problem is pain and numbness. Pain is moderate to severe and has not lessened to any degree. Staying on my feet is very uncomfortable and sitting doesn't work either. I feel best when lying down or sitting in my recliner. I've read that about 20 % of sling recipients suffer prolonged pain. I stopped the Vicaden after 10 days but would still benefit from it. I'm pleased so far...will be much happier when the pain and numbness subside. Unfortunately, I've read that a few surgeons report that after several years, some of their patients report that sling effectiveness is declining. I hope that is the result of bad technique and that my doc has the procedure mastered. She's done over a hundred and reports very good outcomes. She says that is due to MDA screening recipients very carefully to ensure that only good candidates receive the sling. I've read that poor patient screening is the biggest cause of unhappiness with the sling. Very heavy leakers appear to not do as well. I'd sure hate to have another doc cutting on me in that most sensitive area, but if my sling begins to fail over time, I'd probably suck it up and have an AUS device inplanted. I read that most surgeons report that the AUS can be inplanted along side the sling, with many leaving the sling intact. Hope this helps you. Like I say, so far I'm pleased with my result. I didn't handle my leakage very well. Let it really screw up my life.

Tom58 said:

Male sling
Bob,
What I would give to go back to my pre-sling, 2-3 pads a day. I had the operation over a year ago. The doctor managed to destroy my uretha. I am now completely incontinent 15-20 pads a day.
My urethra had to be rebuilt with a piece cut from the inside of my cheek and I have constant pain. I can only tell you my experiance. If I were you I would not get the operation. period!

fathersson said:

Did not work for my uncle
Had a year ago and NG.. Perhaps it was the surgeon?

lion1 said:

Dr Mccammons in Virginia
Trew,

I am equally concerned about the Sling, because this Dr McCammons in Virginia is heavily touting this surgery and is doing many---he has a web site and there's just a few guys on there, telling their experience and it's all positive. I want to here from the other 100 guys who had it---how are they doing? McCammons is supposed to be very good-----but I really want to know how good he is from the other patients???????


Lion1

AZJIM said:

Sling
My sling worked very well for about 8 weeks and then slowly started to deteriorate as I became more active. I'm now only 20-25% better than pre-op. I'm considering a revision. Hate being wet!
Good luck!
AZJIM

Skid Row Tom said:

Male sling
For what it's worth, my local urologist and my doctor at Johns Hopkins both discouraged me from resolving my incontinence with the male sling. They said the procedure is much more successful on women. Searching the Internet, I found a lot of research and anecdotal evidence to support their concerns. Injections had no effect (although I did not have the "minimum" of 5), and made the decision to go with the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) which I was constantly told was the "gold standard". The decision and the procedure was painful, but it resolved about 95% of my incontinence, and with the help of a daily liner to catch a few dribbles, I can lead a "normal" life.

kemahbum said:

duque, I had the sling inplanted at MDA three weeks ago. I was 3-yrs post op, RP, going through 2-3 biggest pads a day (8 - 9 ounces urine each)...more if I consumed too much alcohol. I'm almost pad-free now. I use a very thin pad and they last 24 hrs. I may get a small dribble if I bend over w/full bladder or sneeze without clinching tight. For a couple of days after surgery I had difficulty voiding. Had to push really hard and it hurt like hell. I read that that is good. It indicates the sling is doing it's job and the effort required to void lessens after a couple of days. I still have to push hard, but the incision is healing and straining doesn't hurt now. Three weeks post-op, my problem is pain and numbness. Pain is moderate to severe and has not lessened to any degree. Staying on my feet is very uncomfortable and sitting doesn't work either. I feel best when lying down or sitting in my recliner. I've read that about 20 % of sling recipients suffer prolonged pain. I stopped the Vicaden after 10 days but would still benefit from it. I'm pleased so far...will be much happier when the pain and numbness subside. Unfortunately, I've read that a few surgeons report that after several years, some of their patients report that sling effectiveness is declining. I hope that is the result of bad technique and that my doc has the procedure mastered. She's done over a hundred and reports very good outcomes. She says that is due to MDA screening recipients very carefully to ensure that only good candidates receive the sling. I've read that poor patient screening is the biggest cause of unhappiness with the sling. Very heavy leakers appear to not do as well. I'd sure hate to have another doc cutting on me in that most sensitive area, but if my sling begins to fail over time, I'd probably suck it up and have an AUS device inplanted. I read that most surgeons report that the AUS can be inplanted along side the sling, with many leaving the sling intact. Hope this helps you. Like I say, so far I'm pleased with my result. I didn't handle my leakage very well. Let it really screw up my life.