Artificial sphincter: Was it difficult to learn how to use? Tips?

I used probably 5-6 plus pads after prostate removal and after physical therapy I used 3-4 pads. Never got better . Even after male sling surgery failed. Dr said AUS would help me. So now. With the AUS .. I put a thin pad in when I go for my morning walk. Eat breakfast and 2 cups coffee and shower and I put a thick pad in for the rest of the day. No pad at night . I wake up 3am? And empty bladder and up at 5 am for my walk.

Sounds like a great solution. Hope I get it.
Until then, I have another physio that was previously booked.
Seems like a waste of time if I'm (hopefully) getting the AUS anyway.

Sad you had the pain and incision issues.
But now GREAT you have control.
Welcome to the happy AUS brotherhood chapter of PC.

Thank you all for sharing. I've been 14 months since surgery and am mostly incontinent. Sleeping is pretty OK.
My urologist and my cousin's both suggested implanting an ASC. I've not yet met/spoken to my urologist's partner who performs the implantation, yet
I'm in middle of building a home and my wife was just diagnosed with a resurfacing of her breast cancer so, for next several months, lots of stress. I had planned to wait until June to move forward with ASC; but with recent wife's diagnosis; and the fact that her care will be entirely in my hands, I think I should wait until she's back to 'normal.' Thoughts?

After being completely incontinent for a years or two, I've now had my AUS going on 3 years. Life is back to almost normal. After surgery recovery, you will get use to it a a day or two. It's easy, don't worry about it and you will be so much happier. There is a 6 week or so recovery period, so do plan ahead as with any event of this type.

My sincere prayers for both your wife's and your conditions. Bad luck has doubled down on you for now.
From my AUS 800 experience you might consider going ahead (bounded by your wife's needs of course).
Turned out my AUS surgeon was super competent. Except for the usual lingering effects of the anesthesia I had minimal limits on my activities (don't lift more than 10# for a few weeks). The 6-week recovery is to let the urethra and cuff completely heal and acclimate to each other. After that life was GREAT. No changing the diaper every day with a big pad changed 7 or 8 times a day. Now just a thin pad, once a day 'just in case'.
May both yours and your wife's conditions be overcome by your determination and modern medical science.

I had prostate surgery and 3 months later my wife was diagnosed with glioblastoma. that was 5 years ago. I did the same and was a caregiver. I could not afford any down time. I went to Mayo clinic recently to see about an AUS. I told him i was concerned about the surgery. He smiled and said He was doing the surgery and I was at Mayo. Dont worry. I learned my lesson on a center of excellence. That might be my only suggestion. Make sure you have confidence in who is adding new equipment.

I had stress incontinence due to prostate cancer removal 25 years ago. I was using 3-4 pads a day. I had the AMS800 implanted Jan 14 2025 by Dr Kian Ahmadieh. Though my recovery was rather lengthy the results are well worth the hassle. I am now virtually drip free, though I still have a pad in my shorts as assurance. Using the devise is easy and allows you to relieve yourself in normal restrooms with no embarrassment.

Hi Rudnick, I get my AUS activated next week. I'm still anxious about it since the entire control does not seem to be down in my scrotum, and I understand that to use the device one needs to hold the device steady by the two tubes at the top with one hand while pumping the lower button with the other hand. I don't really get the feel of the top two tubes. I am wondering whether the doctor that activates it and shows me how to use it will pull the device down further in my scrotum.

When you say that you relieve yourself in normal restrooms with no embarrassment do you mean that you are able to use a urinal in the men's room? I would have thought that would require pulling down your pants and underwear to work the controls.

I was apprehensive as well prior to the activation but it turned out to be a non event. I feel the device in my scrotum and the tubes as well though they are at the top of my scrotum. At first I dropped my shorts to the ground prior to urination as I was better able to press the unit as well as point for direction control. Later I was able to just unzip my fly, keep direction control with my left and then squeeze with my right hand. There is just mild discomfort in the squeezing but total relieving of urine with just one squeeze. I hope this answers your question.