All above comments are excellent and most valuable.
I guess I'm blessed by being the poster child (at 77 YO) for AMS 800 success. I waited about 15 months post RP for the install. The operation itself took a long time; some 4 hours. But it was all well worth it.
I had it activated by a quick office visit and those 15 months of 6 to 8 or 9 big pads a day were over.
At first I was very cautious still using the big pad for a couple days but only needed one because I didn't leak and it just got funky down there. Then down to a medium pad per day. So within a week or so and ever since I just use a thin pad. It's mostly for that 'last drop' that most "normal" guys have or the rare leakage. Now I'm at 9-months post install of the AMS 800 and all is well.
The only current downside is that I still need to drop my pants to get both hands working. One to activate (usually a couple or 3 or 4 squeezes) and the other to aim. No big deal. I use the accessible stall in public restrooms for convenience and space. The regular stalls are ok as well.
Depending on my fluid intake I usually go about 2-hours between voiding. If I sweat a lot or don't drink much or am driving I can go up to 4-ish hours non-stop.
When I get a signal/urge I know I have about 15-minutes to 1/2 hour to get to a bathroom.
YES, I had to learn how to use it. How hard to squeeze (a little hard, not painful at all), how long it takes to close again (not long), which hand to use on what LOL.
Yes, I'm super lucky and I think blessed to have an excellent doc and his team. BTW, it turned out my doc is a regional expert in gender affirming surgery. So he really knows the area he's working in. That had to be a plus for me.
NO problems with the incision, no discomfort post op, I don't bike but never felt pain sitting down or lifting (I was very careful at first).
I am blessed and know to be super grateful for it.
And, YES, life is so much better again.
Go for it and find the most talented doc you can. (More BTW, he was suggested by my RP surgeon.)