Hi everyone
Thought I’d keep you updated on this as I know there’s not many on here who have had this procedure done and it may help others in the same situation.
Steve has been incontinent since his RARP in January 2024…you have to wait over 12 months for further investigations before any further action is recommended.
he had further NHS investigations in December 25 (euro dynamics and cystoscopy) and the surgeon explained that his remaining sphincter was not damaged but the gap between bladder and pelvic floor muscles was too big so the muscles were not able to exert the pressure needed to perform with the sphincter to stop the stress incontinence.
The surgeon confirmed the incontinence would never improve without intervention and he recommended surgery to fit an AUS. This is still the gold standard in the UK for NHS treatment, however we have done quite a bit of research over the last 18 months and there is a relatively newer procedure (since 2014) it’s not widely used in NHS yet, partly because not many surgeons do it at the moment. The main place is in Berkshire (NHS and private). I found out yesterday that they will be offering it in Scotland and Newcastle but likely private practices.
So we feel this is a better procedure for Steve because it’s classed as less risk and requires no manual user interface. We visited the surgeon in Berkshire yesterday for a consultation and he told us that Steve’s situation was exactly the type that the ATOMS was meant to help (it bridges the gap to exert pressure on the pelvic muscles to keep the sphincter closed during stress/pressure)
Statistically, he said 75% of his patients are totally dry afterwards the other 25% with varying degrees of improvement.
Steve is booked in for surgery in July. Will keep updating.