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Can anyone share their experience with ProACT (an AUS)?
My 71 year old husband had prostatectomy surgery in August 2023 followed by 6 weeks of radiation therapy which finished the end of January this year. Since the conclusion of the radiation he’s been left completely incontinent. He’s taking orgovyx. Kegals haven’t helped. His urologist wants him to continue with the hormone treatment until January and then test his PSA (it’s currently 0) to determine if he’s cancer free. To tackle the incontinence the urologist suggested a device called ProACT might work for him and could be done in January when he feels everything internal would be as healed as possible. Does anyone have this device and if so, has it helped you, would you recommend? Thanks for any feedback!
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@tommylee3
I also had radical and, radiation in 2015. Not a drop until 2024 when I had stricture surgery. Since then 100% leakage. Leak surgeon wanted to do ProAct. Obviously I was hesitant since he put me in this position. Since then saw 3 other surgeons. All said no to ProAct. AUS was the only way to go because of radiation. I have now resigned myself to AUS and, the fact I have to push a button. Not a great option but, can't go on with a day clamp and, all night leakage.
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2 Reactions@jeffmark — Many thanks for your informative feedback. I’ll take your advice and collect some more intel from an unbiased doc. I would like to learn more about your AUS experience next year. Thanks again for your speedy reply.
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1 Reaction@jimchs — My gosh, it sounded like you had a clear
runway following your two
operations. Unfortunate that things went south on you. I do appreciate your advice. Now I’m more hesitant than ever to proceed with revision surgery.
Wearing my “freedom” clamp right now watching football. Cant wait to lose that damn thing! Thanks again.
Clamp is the only way I can still keep working and, have a life not tied to pads, somewhat. It's not so bad.
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1 ReactionI asked my neurologist about reliability of this implanted clamp. He said “3 years”! I decided to stay with an Afex external clamp which works fine and is easy to control over last 4 years.
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1 Reaction@bmcleod
The AUS has a usual life of 10 years. It puts a ring around the urethra. In some cases, they do have to redo the ring due to deterioration.
10 years is a lot better than I was quoted 3 years ago. I didn’t like the idea of having to go back in. FYI. The Alex clamp just uses foam. There are external clamps that are water proof for use in swimming pools and hot tubs.
Correction: The one I use daily is the Bard Cunningham clamp, not Afex.
@heidenjd25
I’m also in Denver scheduled with Dr. Flynn next month. I’m a very active 69 year old and avid golfer. How long was your recovery and return to normal activity?
@1fitgolfer
After my initial balloon placement I was back to fairly normal activity within 7 days. Still needing to wear diapers or pads. But you go in every 30 days for an adjustment and that could take up to a year to get the appropriate fluid level in your balloons. I’m more a year and a half out from balloon placement and I still need pads and I go through approx 4-5 per day all depends on fluid intake and your frequency of getting to a bathroom. Also start if you haven’t already doing kegels. Good luck . Dr Flynn is great I recommend him to anyone that can get in to see him.
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