Male Sling after Prostatectomy Incontinence

We have a few guys in our support group who have had the sling placed and are very positive - If there is a way to connect I can have one of more speak directly with you
Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)

Dennis - I just sent you a private message with my contact information.

My update July 13, 2022 - 10 months after the sling surgery and 22 months after RARP.


Would I do the sling again - YES.


If one is considering the degree of bodily invasiveness - the sling and AUS are only slightly different. The sling does require a very strict adherence to not lifting over 10 pounds for 6 weeks as tissue grows around the sling to keep it in place. I took generic (OTC) Miralax in my morning coffee for 2 weeks then a half dose for 4 more weeks. I took docusate sodium (Colace) OTC stool softener.


Where I was - I had urodynamic test and cystoscopy at 10 months (July 2021) after RARP in Sept 2020. I was leaking 16 ounces a day (on average) determined by weighing pads and subtracting dry weight. I measure in grams which is one milliliter. I wrote information is a spiral notebook then entered daily totals in a spreadsheet to give me a running 7 day average.


Where I am now - I leak about 7 grams ( a quarter of an ounce) a NIGHT - side sleeper. I have migraines - if I take headache medicine near bedtime, I can 8 to 10 ounces - mainly because I get relief from the headache and do not wake up to go pee. I get up to pee twice per night.


My unusual initial problems. It is very very rare that someone has to self-catheterize. I recommend that you have several catheters so you don't have to go to the emergency room. I highly recommend the Red Rubber catheters.


My sling worked really well. I was not able to pee the next day before being discharged from the hospital so a catheter was reinserted. I was not able to pee at the doctors office a week later - so larger (18 fr) catheter was inserted. At 2 week doctor's office follow-up, I was able to pee a some. I was shown how to self-catheterize. Since I had a Foley catheter for 2 weeks, the path was clear and open.


I self-catheterize for about 8 weeks.
Weeks after procedure
3-4 - 4 times a day
5-6 - 2 times per day - morning and bedtime
7-8 - 1 time per day at bedtime
For another several weeks, I catheterized a couple times per week to verify little bladder retention.


I stand to pee to allow better flow.

Thank you so much for the complete response. Much appreciated. I've never actually measured the amount I leak during the day and night. I do know during the day it is directly related to my activity level. If I think of it I will wear a penile clamp when mowing the lawn, lifting, or doing other more strenuous activities. I am more than 2 years post surgery and have never been dry. It is much better, but, even after lots of PT I just can't seem to get things sealed off enough to stop leaking. The self-catheterization does not sound fun at all, but it also sounds like you got through it and were satisfied with the procedure. I'm having a cystoscopy done August 1st to see if there was any unusual scarring contributing to the propblem. A week later I will be seeing a reconstructive surgery urologist to presumably discuss my options. I'm not crazy about additional surgery, but I'm also not crazy about leaking, changing pads, etc. I'm 67 and hopefully have a lot of years still ahead, so may want to get this taken care of.