Updating my Bionic Journey

[CuzznClark]

Now that I am 33 days into my bionic journey I decided to start a new thread. Also had miscounted the days elapsed in my original thread.

So I was implanted on March 18th., and activated on April 18th. I am now on day 33 and cycling at home.

My surgery was more challenging then most because of the amount of scar tissue in my lower abdomen; This began 30 years ago with a triple hernia surgery, then 20 years ago I had one of the hernias repaired with surgical mesh. Unfortunately the records for the mesh repair were no where to be found and we were unsure which side to attempt the reservoir placement*. Then 3 years ago; I underwent a robotic prostatectomy. And last summer had 38 follow-up radiation treatments, result of a very early detection of the PC recurrence.

Fortunately; I chose a very experienced implanter who understood all-of the above and was confident he could get the reservoir implanted inside my abdomen (as opposed to closer to the surface in a "fat pad"). *As it turns out it took two separate efforts to find a way thru the scar tissue and into the abdomen, but he prevailed. The down side of those efforts was coming home with a surgical drain and considerably more swelling than many report. It was over 3 weeks before the swelling subsided enough for me to locate the pump.

I was actually more nervous about the the activation visit than the surgery. Not sure why because the PA did an excellent job, and after some initial help I then did 2 solo cycles with his approval. My homework is as follows; For the first month cycle twice per day with 5min pumped each time. For month 2; once per day fully pumped for an hour. I still have some sack swelling which makes it a bit difficult to find the release valve, but it gets a bit easier with each session. By this AM's cycle session #5, I got in 14 good pumps and left it pumped for 15 minutes, and I could feel the stretch everyone talks about resulting in some discomfort under the glans.

Sidenote; I also asked about using a VED in conjunction with cycling - and was told it is safe and can be beneficial for some, just don't overdue it. He did recall one patient that had clearly overdid the pumping to the point that he ended up with a "floppy glans"

There are many here on FT that have shared in a way that I found the courage and comfort to join this club, THANK YOU!!

[Rider1400]

That’s AWSOME!!! I also had double hernia with mesh on both sides done laparoscopic about 20 years before implant…. I thought I had an experienced surgeon, and in every other aspect it couldn’t be any better except he was nervous about trying to go thru the mesh and so he put it sub cutaneously.. Now I have this long 1/2 of an egg shaped ball sticking out of my abdomen directly under my belt(pants) line!! I’ve been considering having Clavel look at it but my insurance deductible went from $2,200 to $4,400 this year! Bunch of money for a mostly visual issue. It doesn’t bother me except for the looks and occasionally I’ll pick up something heavy and immediately reminded there’s a resivour right there.. glad he works your in the proper place. I will definitely get mine properly place when ever I have a revision. Good luck, and keep in mind…. Time cures a majority of the aches, pains and other issues that cause concerns when being implanted.

[CuzznClark]

Rider,

Seeing that we have the same 20cm Titan, a pumping/cycling question for you.

So I have the Genesis classic pump and 75 ml of saline in the reservoir. Today in my 4th day of cycling and am currently able to get between 12 & 14 pumps before the bulb becomes too hard for another squeeze.

With time i know this will improve. How many pumps are you able to obtain?

Thanks!

[Islanderboy58]

Now that I am 33 days into my bionic journey I decided to start a new thread. Also had miscounted the days elapsed in my original thread.

So I was implanted on March 18th., and activated on April 18th. I am now on day 33 and cycling at home.

My surgery was more challenging then most because of the amount of scar tissue in my lower abdomen; This began 30 years ago with a triple hernia surgery, then 20 years ago I had one of the hernias repaired with surgical mesh. Unfortunately the records for the mesh repair were no where to be found and we were unsure which side to attempt the reservoir placement*. Then 3 years ago; I underwent a robotic prostatectomy. And last summer had 38 follow-up radiation treatments, result of a very early detection of the PC recurrence.

Fortunately; I chose a very experienced implanter who understood all-of the above and was confident he could get the reservoir implanted inside my abdomen (as opposed to closer to the surface in a "fat pad"). *As it turns out it took two separate efforts to find a way thru the scar tissue and into the abdomen, but he prevailed. The down side of those efforts was coming home with a surgical drain and considerably more swelling than many report. It was over 3 weeks before the swelling subsided enough for me to locate the pump.

I was actually more nervous about the the activation visit than the surgery. Not sure why because the PA did an excellent job, and after some initial help I then did 2 solo cycles with his approval. My homework is as follows; For the first month cycle twice per day with 5min pumped each time. For month 2; once per day fully pumped for an hour. I still have some sack swelling which makes it a bit difficult to find the release valve, but it gets a bit easier with each session. By this AM's cycle session #5, I got in 14 good pumps and left it pumped for 15 minutes, and I could feel the stretch everyone talks about resulting in some discomfort under the glans.

Sidenote; I also asked about using a VED in conjunction with cycling - and was told it is safe and can be beneficial for some, just don't overdue it. He did recall one patient that had clearly overdid the pumping to the point that he ended up with a "floppy glans"

There are many here on FT that have shared in a way that I found the courage and comfort to join this club, THANK YOU!!

Your on your way Cuzz!

[ThailandBound]

Rider,

Seeing that we have the same 20cm Titan, a pumping/cycling question for you.

So I have the Genesis classic pump and 75 ml of saline in the reservoir. Today in my 4th day of cycling and am currently able to get between 12 & 14 pumps before the bulb becomes too hard for another squeeze.

With time i know this will improve. How many pumps are you able to obtain?

Thanks!

Congratulations on a good report thus far Cuzz.

I too have a Titan, 20 cm, classic pump. Implanted 1 year +4 months ago. All is great with the implant. Just finished up a morning session a little while ago in fact.

One thing i don’t understand is why some guys like yourself can’t get another squeeze after only 12-14 pumps. I’ve always had to pump for about a solid 3 minutes, with the last 1/2 of the pump-up requiring two hands. I count “micro squeezes” near the end, and in all it takes me about 80 pumps (again, big pumps to start, micro squeezes to finish).

At 12-14 pumps, i’m barely hard. Can fold it in the middle still at that point. (not recommended).

[Tokyo_123]

Rider,

Seeing that we have the same 20cm Titan, a pumping/cycling question for you.

So I have the Genesis classic pump and 75 ml of saline in the reservoir. Today in my 4th day of cycling and am currently able to get between 12 & 14 pumps before the bulb becomes too hard for another squeeze.

With time i know this will improve. How many pumps are you able to obtain?

Thanks!

Congratulations on a good report thus far Cuzz.

I too have a Titan, 20 cm, classic pump. Implanted 1 year +4 months ago. All is great with the implant. Just finished up a morning session a little while ago in fact.

One thing i don’t understand is why some guys like yourself can’t get another squeeze after only 12-14 pumps. I’ve always had to pump for about a solid 3 minutes, with the last 1/2 of the pump-up requiring two hands. I count “micro squeezes” near the end, and in all it takes me about 80 pumps (again, big pumps to start, micro squeezes to finish).

At 12-14 pumps, i’m barely hard. Can fold it in the middle still at that point. (not recommended).

As I understand it, the number of pumps needed depends upon how the unit was installed, and on the RTEs. Longer RTE means less pumping.

[CuzznClark]

Rider,

Seeing that we have the same 20cm Titan, a pumping/cycling question for you.

So I have the Genesis classic pump and 75 ml of saline in the reservoir. Today in my 4th day of cycling and am currently able to get between 12 & 14 pumps before the bulb becomes too hard for another squeeze.

With time i know this will improve. How many pumps are you able to obtain?

Thanks!

Congratulations on a good report thus far Cuzz.

I too have a Titan, 20 cm, classic pump. Implanted 1 year +4 months ago. All is great with the implant. Just finished up a morning session a little while ago in fact.

One thing i don’t understand is why some guys like yourself can’t get another squeeze after only 12-14 pumps. I’ve always had to pump for about a solid 3 minutes, with the last 1/2 of the pump-up requiring two hands. I count “micro squeezes” near the end, and in all it takes me about 80 pumps (again, big pumps to start, micro squeezes to finish).

At 12-14 pumps, i’m barely hard. Can fold it in the middle still at that point. (not recommended).

Thailand,

Thanks for responding. You point out an interesting anomaly (at 14 pumps I was very hard, maybe too hard because the wifey commented it did not feel natural). You were one of the early posters that I have closely followed. Your excellent reporting and feedback was most helpful in me making the decision to join the club. Off topic; I understand your career was a pilot. I just retired after spending the last 42 years in the back of the plane (early-on every week, and in recent years every month). Mind if I ask who you flew for ?

[ThailandBound]

Rider,

Seeing that we have the same 20cm Titan, a pumping/cycling question for you.

So I have the Genesis classic pump and 75 ml of saline in the reservoir. Today in my 4th day of cycling and am currently able to get between 12 & 14 pumps before the bulb becomes too hard for another squeeze.

With time i know this will improve. How many pumps are you able to obtain?

Thanks!

Congratulations on a good report thus far Cuzz.

I too have a Titan, 20 cm, classic pump. Implanted 1 year +4 months ago. All is great with the implant. Just finished up a morning session a little while ago in fact.

One thing i don’t understand is why some guys like yourself can’t get another squeeze after only 12-14 pumps. I’ve always had to pump for about a solid 3 minutes, with the last 1/2 of the pump-up requiring two hands. I count “micro squeezes” near the end, and in all it takes me about 80 pumps (again, big pumps to start, micro squeezes to finish).

At 12-14 pumps, i’m barely hard. Can fold it in the middle still at that point. (not recommended).

Thailand,

Thanks for responding. You point out an interesting anomaly (at 14 pumps I was very hard, maybe too hard because the wifey commented it did not feel natural). You were one of the early posters that I have closely followed. Your excellent reporting and feedback was most helpful in me making the decision to join the club. Off topic; I understand your career was a pilot. I just retired after spending the last 42 years in the back of the plane (early-on every week, and in recent years every month). Mind if I ask who you flew for ?

I don’t mind. I finished my career as Captain on the Boeing 777 for American Airlines.