Newsgroups do not work on the new computer at work, and I seldom turn on
the pc at home after a long day at work, thus the long absence.  The device
was implanted on September 2nd, and I had no serious pain or discomfort from
the surgery itself.  My initial problem with discomfort in the groin area
was due to edema, but after ten days or so the swelling went down.  I
continued to have discomfort down there, but it was skin irritation.  I did
not actually break out but it was an itching burning feeling.  I thought it
had to do with perspiration or something like that.  It turns out they use a
special surgical prep and it is hard on the skin.  The prep is both longer
than what is done for normal surgery and is a stronger cleaning agent.  They
told me it is impossible to completely kill all the bacteria on the skin, so
they go an extra mile given the location of this surgery, and the
implications for failure if there is infection.  I guess if you get an
infection they may have to remove the device and start all over again.  Not
fun.
   At first I leaked very little if at all and wondered what the heck I had
done having the bladder neck resection and implant at the same time.  Turns
out my short lived continence was due to the swelling.  As that subsided the
leaking increased over say a two week period.  For the last two weeks I have
been almost totally incontinent and actually asked about having the device
turned on sooner.  They advised against that for two reasons.  One, they
want everything healed before activating the device.  Two, I still have some
soreness in the testicles where the control mechanism rests on the scrotum.
They said that because I have to pump down there to urinate I would not be a
happy camper if the scrotum was still sore.  That made sense to me.  So, I
wait and count the days to October 19th.
   The swelling is gone in the scrotum but I do have a sore spot where the
mechanism rests.  When I look in the mirror it kind of looks like I have
three balls.  Think of a rock in a plastic bag.  That is kind of what it
looks like with the AMS.  It apparently is not secured in there but just is
sitting there in the sack.  Where it hits the skin is where it is sore.
Over the last week that has gotten a lot better, so I now feel that I see
the light at the end of the tunnel.
   The last two weeks has not been fun though with the incontinence.  Three
accidents at work, including one yesterday.  After accident number two I
keep a pair of pants and two extra pair of underwear at work.  Good thing I
had that yesterday.  I am filling up a Depends Guard every two to three
hours.  And I do mean full.  I am not clear as to why, after the swelling is
gone, I am back to where I was after the catheter came out in 2003?  Guess
trauma to the sphincter during the bladder neck resection?  Any of you guys
who had that done experience the same thing?  How long before you got back
to normal?  Guess I just have to hang on until the 19th.
   So, other than that sore spot, that is better this week compared to
last, and pissing all over myself, I am fine and glad that I had the
surgery.  I still wish they would have done both the AMS 800 and AMS 700
(penile implant) at the same time.  At this point I am not anxious to have
surgery again and will wait until next year to see if Willie shows any signs
of life in year 3 post RRP.  If not, then....
   Thank you.  Sorry for the long post.  Just trying to catch up.  I know
some of you out there are considering this surgery, so I hope my experience
will be of some help in making that decision.
David S.

P.S.  I find it a bit ominous that the EOB from Blue Cross has not come yet.
Every other time I have had a procedure that shows up in ten days to two
weeks.  I hope there is not a problem with coverage for this procedure.  I
was told it was covered and during the preop testing they had me meet with
an insurance rep.  From the discussion I had the understanding that they
were getting preop approval for the surgery.  More to worry about.  Swell.