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Chapter 6
His Prostate and Me
device can be inflated by squeezing the head of the penis and
deflated by bending the penis at the glans. Although this
mechanism is simple, it is, nonetheless, more difficult to
operate than the semi-rigid device.
The three-piece penile implant consists of three
elements: the pump, two cylinders and a reservoir. The pump
is installed in the scrotum for easy accessibility. The cylinders
are inserted in the corpus cavernosum in the penis, and the
reservoir, which is filled with a saline mixture, is placed in the
abdomen. The tubes are fitted to the patient in the operating
room by using different sizes, sleeves, and/or extension tips.
To get an erection, the man squeezes the pump to inflate
the cylinders with fluid from the reservoir. In the 700 CX, the
cylinders expand in girth but not in length. In another model,
they expand in both girth and length. At the completion of
intercourse, the man presses the deflation site on the pump,
and the fluid flows back into the reservoir. The inflation
process is quick, and a man's appearance in the locker room is
very natural.
After scrutinizing the different types of devices, Dick
chose the "gold standard" 700 CX, a fully inflatable device
made by American Medical Systems. It was also the one most
highly recommended by his surgeon, Dr Fishman. We have
since learned that American Medical Systems has an excellent
patient information service. Patients can call an 800 number
(see page 172) and speak with the AMS patient liaison, who is
available to answer their questions about the various devices.
The company has also improved the 700 CX since Dick had
his implanted by adding a Parylene coating to enhance its
durability and an antibiotic coating to reduce the risk of
infection.
Before he took such a final step, he spoke with men who
had the implant surgery and asked their opinion. All of them
seemed happy with the results, which was in line with the
90% satisfaction rate in a number of studies Dick had read.
Confident that his choice was the best, he was ready to
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