Reservoir site?!

[Mangotin]

What is the difference between placing the reservoir of a Coloplast implant inside the pelvis versus behind the abdominal muscles? And does placing it behind the abdominal muscles cause a visible bulge in a thin person?

[ElbowRoom]

Placing the reservoir in the HSM (High Submuscular) position is less common than in the space of Retzius in the pelvic region. It’s possible to have the reservoir visible and/or palpable in the HSM position, but skilled placement can avoid that usually. It’s also possible that when engaging the abdominal muscles that the check valve to the reservoir could be overcome, leading to auto-inflation to some degree.

Space of Retzius placement isn’t perfect either, there is chance of interference with the bladder and pelvic vasculature.

[Friday121224]

I had high submuscular placement for my revision about three weeks ago. I’m sitting around 20% body fat and there’s zero sign of the reservoir — nothing visible, nothing palpable.
Worth noting for anyone weighing their options: on a revision, it’s sometimes actually easier and safer for the surgeon to drain and retain the Retzius space rather than re-entering it, and go with high submuscular instead. So what might seem like a workaround can end up being the cleaner call surgically.

[Rider1400]

My first implant reservoir was place in my lower abdomen due to having a double hernia repair with mesh many years prior. Evidently the surgeon wasnt familiar with the proper placement as it stood out like half an egg and was directly on my belt line. I delt with this for 4-1/2 years and it gradually migrated to where it was just under the skin and was a constant irritation.
My revision the reservoir was place in the high submuscular abdominal area! Dr explained taht its completely under the muscle but outside the abdominal wall. The muscles are well able to hold the reservoir in when Its full. At 9 weeks you cant see it at all and wife says she cant feel it. However i can feel it slightly but it’s an effort to find it. Absolutely LOVE the new location. Was slightly sore for about a week after implanted and since have no issues.