Post Prostatectomy Incontinence and ED

Thank You- and yes, anyone with experiences to share of either procedure would be welcome. I know the dual procedure exists but is not as common.

Your situation seems pretty similar to mine although you are a few years younger which is another good reason to consider the implant. I had my radial prostatectomy at age 65 in 2020. Clear margins, PSA continues undetectable 6 years later. I, like you, was one of the unfortunate one who couldn't get leakage to fully stop, despite several rounds of PT for kegels, etc. It wsn't a lot, but enough that pads were required daily. I finally opted for the sling surgery 2 1/2 years later at age 67. Great results. I will wear a thin pad for "drips and dribbles" if I know I'm going to be gone all day, but I'm nearly almost always dry. The only time a need pads is if I get a cold that leads to a bad cough.

I was hoping the sling surgery might also help with ED, but that was not the case. I tried the typical stuff, pills, etc., but with poor results. After further consulting with a urology specialist I decided to have the implant at age 68. To answer your questions:
1- My doctor likes to keep his men in the hospital one night following surgery for pain control, which he didin my casen. Lots of soreness and swelling the first week, but it really doesn't limit your mobility that much. 10 days post surgery I went to a concert with some friends. I sat and stood a bit gingerly, but managed just fine. I was scheduled to see my doc two weeks post op to go over the inflation technique, but due to swelling, I waited an extra week. You need to be able to feel the bulb and squeeze it to make it work, and this was much better at week 3. Again, that was not affecting my mobility, as I was getting around just fine.
2- Absolutely! They say you can try it at about 6 weeks post surgery, which we did. That was fine, but things got much better after 8 - 12 weeks, as I recall. I had lost some length from the prostatectomy (I don't think that should happen with the implant), but gained some girth. This all took a little getting used to. Also, no ejaculate because of the surgery, although feeling and function is the same.
3- No pain
4- Everyday life is normal. The inflation bulb and release valve are in the scrotum, but don't interfere with anything I do.
5- No infections
6- Depends on who you ask and perhaps how often it is used. I've read anywhere from 7 - 15 years, maybe longer. I try to inflate mine at least once a week, regardless of if I'm having sex. Like most mechanical things, it is best to use them rather than have them sit idle for long periods of time. Having said that, I don't think I'd go through another surgery to have it replaced should it fail. So, hopefully mine will last as long as I need it. I do feel that the combination of the sling and implant brought my life back to close to normal, which got derailed somewhat by the prostatectomy. Hope that helps!

Thank you so much for sharing this- I have some things to consider regarding recovery and work for me which can be physically active at times. but in general everything you are mentioning is pretty reaffirming. Looking forward to the change.

Hi . Thank you so much for sharing your experience and glad to hear the implants have been helpful. Hoping things are good on the cancer front. Best, Richard (Team Member)

- I'm glad to hear that your urologist says you are a good candidate for the IPP (pills did zero for me - injections gave me priapism all 4 times - even on the lowest dose). I had the AMS 700 installed. It has a satisfaction rating between 83 to 97% and personaly I'd give it a solid 90. I was right there with you in the shrinkage department post prostatectomy and the IPP has helped (Testicle clearance while urinating - I was told that it's perfectly ok to leave the IPP partialy inflated for "clearance") . The most important piece of advice that I could possibly give you before having the device implanted is to use a vacum device or a penile tension device as much as you can before the surgery date to stretch the tissue as much as you can (they will not install a device longer than their measurements during the surgery tell them to)

1) - Recovery - I had both the AMS 700 and 800 implanted at the same time so my recovery was indeed worse than having just the IPP alone. I stayed in the hospital 1 night before going home. I would say that the recovery was comparable to the original prostatectomy the first week - major swelling - major bruising - iceing regularly helps greatly - when they tell you to roll up a hand towel and place it under your scotum when on your back - do it - and wear compression shorts (something I wasn't told until the 2nd week) - walking is highly recomended - I did have a 10 pound lifting restriction for the first 4 weeks. I also got a medical donut pillow to sit on to keep pressure off of the area.

2) - sensation is completely unchanged - orgasm is totaly normal - just dry

3) - there is no pain - just a bit of "tightness" which I am told will get better in the next few months (I've only been using the device for 7 weeks)(hot baths are recomended to help with tissue expansion)


Bike riding is something that you'll have to discuss with your doctor after implantation - though I know that many guys do ride. In my case I think I'd have to have special pading to ride a bike because my bulb pushes out of the bottom of my scrotum further than I think most do and it's easy for me to rub the skin raw.

Infection - I myself have not had any issues and don't know of any guys who have

I was told to expect the device to last at least 10 years or over 1,000 cycles.

Yes, it has been quite the journey

Richard - I'm happy to report that I'm still at an undetectable PSA over 2 years post prostatectomy - I had a 4+3 ductal adenocarcinoma with perinural invasion