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Post by Rick Redner on Feb 12, 2014 22:13:11 GMT -5
Most men approximately 80-90% of men will regain urinary control within the first few year following surgery. Some men still struggle with the loss of urinary control or severe leaking 1 year or more post surgery. The question these men face is whether to live and adjust with their level of urinary incontinence or risk going under the knife one more time time to get an artificial sphincter. Most insurance companies will pay for this procedure. Here's some information about this surgery: Web MDDescription of SurgeryInformation About SurgeryIf you are thinking about this procedure or had this procedure and are willing to share your experiences, that would be of great value to other men considering this option. |
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Post by TonyB on Feb 13, 2014 18:58:56 GMT -5
Had it done about ten weeks ago. This after having a mesh sling implanted to try and stop the leakage. As the sling didn't work the artificial sphincter was implanted. It wasn't activated till after six weeks of healing. So far it has reduced it somewhat but when coughing, sneezing or straining there is still a problem and pads are required. It is somewhat awkward as the bulb in the scrotum must be depressed every time and then one has about thirty seconds to empty prior to it closing again. I don't know if this is what I am saddled with the rest of my life as the Dr. wanted to see how it worked before addressing that issue. For anyone looking to have it done I will say the pain level is minor in comparison to the sling implant. It supposedly has a favorable track record but unfortunately I have fallen in the fail percentage of all three procedures.
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Post by Rick Redner on Feb 13, 2014 20:04:11 GMT -5
TonyB
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm sorry to hear you've taken many steps to alleviate your urinary incontinence and all have failed.
Rick
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Post by Chuck on Apr 2, 2014 23:57:51 GMT -5
I do not have personal experience with an artificial sphincter. But after I was DX'd with PC and was contemplating my treatment options, a good friend of mine (he's in his 60s) told me that he had prostatectomy and had terrible incontinence.
He said he eventually met a urologist who offered to implant an artificial sphincter. He told me that he does not leak anymore and that he only needs to press a button, implanted in his scrotum, to open the sphincter and quickly empty himself.
From what he told me, it works like a charm for him.
Good luck to all who may need to consider this option.
Chuck
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Post by Ken L. on Apr 3, 2014 4:29:11 GMT -5
I did receive both urinary control sphincter and penile prosthesis around 1 year after my radical prostatectomy. My doctor did explain these options pre-prostatectomy surgery, so I knew that it would be possible for me to take advantage of that option. I was only 47 when I was diagnosed, so this was an option that I knew that I had to fall back on if necessary. I'm also pretty healthy and not overweight (high blood pressure and somewhat higher cholesterol), but other than that, not much else. (I quit smoking and haven't smoked since the day my doctor told me I had cancer). I had some complications post prostatectomy surgery, which included problems with my catheter not staying in the correct position inside the bladder. I had to have a catheter for 2 months after surgery. I'm not sure if this had anything to do with added nerve damage, but what's done is done. I decided to have both implants, because 1 year after the surgery, I had absolutely no erection, and was going through around 6 pads a day. Hearing from other people, the incontinence wasn't going to improve much, and possibly the erection problem would get a little better. For about a week after the implant surgery (had both done at same time) I cursed my doctor every name in the book. He did tell me pre-surgery that I was going to do this, because bruising and swelling were quite substantial. Now, today after about 8 months after surgery, I am SO GLAD I went through with the procedure. I do have to wear a pad most the time, but ONLY LEAKS when coughing or sneezing. The only downfall on the prosthetic, is that I personally lost about 1" in size when erect, but doctor also told me this pre-surgery also. 1) Intercourse is about 95% satisfaction of what it used to be, I'd say 2) Amount of leakage when coughing or sneezing will depend on factors such as how hard you're coughing and how full your bladder is. You can also tighten your pelvic muscles during these times to control a lot of it, also. All in all, I am 100% happy that I went throught with this. (p.s.-anybody getting advice to go on testosterone therapy, DON'T!! I was on testotersone shots for 4 years and am 100% convinced it's what caused my prostate cancer, just my opinion). Thanks for reading.
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Post by Rick Redner on Apr 3, 2014 9:10:47 GMT -5
Ken & Chuck,
More than 100 men have visited this thread seeking information about an artificial sphincter. In behalf of all the men who will read about your experiences, thank you for taking the time to share them. Wish you the best on this journey as a PC survivor living without a prostate.
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Post by Ken L. on Apr 4, 2014 4:25:27 GMT -5
It was actually about a year and a half ago, as I just basically copy and pasted from another similar forum topic. STILL 100% SATISFIED!
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Post by GPH on Aug 12, 2014 16:15:59 GMT -5
I'm writing this on behalf of my husband - he had RP surgery in 2008 and his first AUS in 2009. That one lasted a year - had another one done almost 4 years ago and it has now stopped working again (both times the fluid seems to have leaked out of the balloon). We are seeing the first surgeon again, but also actively searching for others in our area who also do the surgery. I called AMS who makes the AUS and they said our first surgeon was "great - he does a ton of these surgeries!". We are wondering if 'a ton' means 'a great job'? The AMS rep also said it was 'highly unusual' to have two failures within 4 years. When the AUS was working, it was great and gave him a lot of freedom from constant worrying about leaks and embarrassment. However, he naturally continues to age and we are worried that having to repeat the surgery every 4-5 years won't always be possible. We'd love to hear from anyone else with similar experiences or advice to share.
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Post by Rick Redner on Aug 24, 2014 11:34:02 GMT -5
GPH, We don't have an active community of men who post. The 30 or so people who visit this forum on a daily basis visit to gain information. Here are two links to very active communities where you may get a quick response: Healing Well Visit the Forum section and look up prostate cancer. Another very active forum is: The Cancer Forums Once again look up prostate cancer. You should get a number of responses back from these groups. |
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