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Artificial Urinary Sphincter surgery: Only after 6 months

Posted by kruznkru @kruznkru, Oct 13, 2024

Hello all
First post all
July 8th I had RP surgery at University of Chicago hospital.
As weeks/months go bye and NO improvement in leakage I’m starting to look into options if it doesn’t slow down.
I had a meeting with specialist at U of C this week and he said I’m doing everything right Kegals/PT and even started acupuncture.
He also said he WILL NOT do the artificial urinary sphincter AUS before 6 months.
I have the common symptoms depressed/not wanting to go out/lost some weight from worrying.
If my leakage does not improve by 6 months (not slowing down at all)
has anyone heard of doing the AUS at 6+ months ?
Thanks for any help

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kruznkru | @kruznkru | Oct 15, 2024
In reply to @smc24 "There can be some very minor "stress" leakage (into the Depends), If the bladder is full..." + (show)
@smc24

There can be some very minor "stress" leakage (into the Depends), If the bladder is full and I bend over to tie a shoe, for example, I may get a few drops squeezed out. I also try to urinate every 2-4 hours, when possible to prevent that issue. But, I usually go all day on one Depends and just change before I go to bed.
Once you get use to operating the squeeze valve, it works fine, no pain and is very convenient. Adressing one of your concerns, in two tears, I've never had an accident with leakage outside the Depends even biking, running, etc. I hope this helps with any decision you may have in front of you.

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May I ask where you had surgery done ? Or surgeon

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smc24 | @smc24 | Oct 15, 2024

Dr. Matthew Mellon, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis. I give him an A+++.

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kruznkru | @kruznkru | Oct 15, 2024

Interesting
I live about 2 hours north of Indy
A quick google he’s very well liked but they say 3 months out for appt
Thank you

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fcstar98 | @fcstar98 | Feb 20 2:41pm

Anybody had issues with kinda pain in butt cheeks or groin area like a rubber band. Got them after 7 weeks after going to gym a couple days later,and sometimes across the gut area

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1 reply
smc24 | @smc24 | Feb 21 12:29pm
In reply to @fcstar98 "Anybody had issues with kinda pain in butt cheeks or groin area like a rubber band...." + (show)
@fcstar98

Anybody had issues with kinda pain in butt cheeks or groin area like a rubber band. Got them after 7 weeks after going to gym a couple days later,and sometimes across the gut area

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Once the initial 6-8ish week healing was complete, a couple of years ago, in have been pain and trouble free, while remaining very active. It beats the heck out of changing pads a dozen times a day. Good luck.

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1 reply
jeffMar | @jeffmarc | Feb 21 1:12pm
In reply to @smc24 "Once the initial 6-8ish week healing was complete, a couple of years ago, in have been..." + (show)
@smc24

Once the initial 6-8ish week healing was complete, a couple of years ago, in have been pain and trouble free, while remaining very active. It beats the heck out of changing pads a dozen times a day. Good luck.

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Don’t you get a little leaking? We were discussing it, in an Ancan.org meeting last night, with someone who is having problems with theirs, and a second person piped up that they’re still having to wear a pad because they still leak a little bit, and they were surprised that it didn’t completely resolve the issue for them.

I’ve heard this repeated in this forum as well. Apparently, if you sit so that your perineum is pressing against something you can leak, and that’s not the only way.

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smc24 | @smc24 | Feb 21 2:44pm

I'm no doc, but I am an engineer and I've had the device for a few years now, so here we go...
With a normal urinary system, your sphincter(s) can only hold back a certain amount of hydrolic pressure, no matter how hard you try to hold it in. The AUS is designed to hold back a little less pressure than normal. I don't recall the percentage difference from normal. This insures the bladder and your other important stuff down there isn't damaged from too much pressure. In case of a malfunction, the device also is designed to fail open, holding back no pressure at all.
So yes, if enough external or internal pressure is applied to the bladder and AUS and the is no more space for the urine to go and exceeds the design resistance of the cuff, urine will pass by the cuff until the pressure drops below the cuff's capability to hold it back. Then, flow will stop. A very safe and simple design. Other than that situation, I have virtually no leakage.

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1 reply
kruznkru | @kruznkru | Feb 21 7:26pm
In reply to @smc24 "I'm no doc, but I am an engineer and I've had the device for a few..." + (show)
@smc24

I'm no doc, but I am an engineer and I've had the device for a few years now, so here we go...
With a normal urinary system, your sphincter(s) can only hold back a certain amount of hydrolic pressure, no matter how hard you try to hold it in. The AUS is designed to hold back a little less pressure than normal. I don't recall the percentage difference from normal. This insures the bladder and your other important stuff down there isn't damaged from too much pressure. In case of a malfunction, the device also is designed to fail open, holding back no pressure at all.
So yes, if enough external or internal pressure is applied to the bladder and AUS and the is no more space for the urine to go and exceeds the design resistance of the cuff, urine will pass by the cuff until the pressure drops below the cuff's capability to hold it back. Then, flow will stop. A very safe and simple design. Other than that situation, I have virtually no leakage.

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You explain like an engineer 🙂
But it does make sense !

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fcstar98 | @fcstar98 | Feb 24 8:08am

Having sex makes it leak

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