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

@tuckerp I switched to an incontinence clamp. The limitations imposed by the external catheter (including but not limited to, not wearing shorts or bathing suit) plus the thought of carrying around a bag of piss all day, lead me to switch to an incontinence clamp. No compromises to QOL. Couldn’t be more satisfied.

not sure if I already mentioned but I use the bag with condom. I do everything I did prior except wear shorts. Its not without its complications but I have a life. Its been 5 years. I may look at the AUS but not convinced it offers any less complications.

I lost both urinary sphincters resulting in no control whatsoever. Life was very unpleasant. About three years ago, I had an artificial urinary sphincter installed which was one of the best decisions I've ever made. A few days to get the hang of it, but now I can use it easily standing up or sitting down. It's easiest to use two hand since it want to slide around a little in the scrotum. I highly recommend you take that step. It was, and still is a very positive experience for me. There are more important things to worry about it.

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?

Hi "bwj",
I didn't see a reply to your one comment, " Instead I get a squirt, generally a spray often missing the toilet bowl, followed by 5 or so seconds of a slow stream before it peters out. I have to pump the device several cycles in this manner to feel that I have emptied."
That's pretty much how I started out. And now maybe you have your own technique.
Anyway, now I've learned to do one good squeeze with everything well aimed to hit the bowl; then repeated squeezes to continue peeing like a race horse; then do some more squeezes till flow is done. I give it a couple seconds or more to be sure I'm empty and that's it. Done.
Hope you're doing well and enjoying more freedom from the bathroom & pads.

Hi. I had the AUS activated on 4/3. For the good news, I am now entirely dry. I don't even need to wear a pad inside of briefs and can go back to wearing boxer shorts, which clearly would not work with wearing a pad. The activation was kind of rough with the urologist having his female Physician Assistant do the activation. There was quite a bit of tugging and pinching of the scrotum. I had been concerned that pre-activation the device wasn't hanging low enough in my scrotum to allow me to feel with one hand where the two tubes were at the top of the device which directions say should be held to stabilize the device when operating it. But I can now feel them with my right hand while I operate the pump with the left hand. One apparent problem is that I am NOT experiencing the 60 to 90 second flow when I pump the device. Instead I get a squirt, generally a spray often missing the toilet bowl, followed by 5 or so seconds of a slow stream before it peters out. I have to pump the device several cycles in this manner to feel that I have emptied. I messaged the urologist on the portal about this difference in the way it functions but he didn't sound concerned in his response and it is several months before I am scheduled to see him again. I generally get an urge to urinate about every two hours, but I know I am not drinking enough water, which I need to do to cut down on UTIs, and wonder how frequently I will need to urinate when I increase the water intake. I am going to get a post void residual test at my local urologist to see how much remains after a cycle of squeezing the pump several times in a row to empty. All things being equal I am happy with the results. It is a luxury to not squirt a leak when I do any of the activities that used to trigger stress incontinence.

Yes, the surgeon will (SHOULD!) carefully instruct you in its use.
Including how to deactivate it. That's important should you ever need a catheter. Careless catheter insertion can damage your urethra and/or AUS cuff.
Yes, mine is slippery like a greasy bean. But as you perfect your technique (as I did) over a short time you'll find a way to steady it.
I never even feel the tubes or reservoir, just the activation bulb.
Don't worry too much. Life will bet MUCH better for you.