SIMS / Biofeedback Class
Penile Rehabilitation
The Surgical Impotence Management Strategy (SIMS) was coined and developed by Metro Urology. Penile rehabilitation is specifically designed to help the nerves responsible for erections recover after surgery while maintaining the health of the penile tissue. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. There are a number of reasons why men may experience erectile dysfunction both before and after treatment for your prostate cancer. Those include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, medications, and low testosterone. Any prostate cancer treatment (Radical Prostatectomy, daVinci Prostatectomy, Cryotherapy, or Radiation) can destroy or injure the nerves that create erections because those nerves run along the outside edges of the prostate itself.
The Surgical Impotence Management Strategy (SIMS) penile rehabilitation protocol is specifically designed to help the nerves for erection recover following surgical removal of the prostate, while maintaining the health of the penile tissue. Several modalities are currently being utilized in combination including but not limited to (Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®, MUSE®, and injection therapy) as well as a Vacuum Erection Device (VED) or penile pump. Each of these modalities is utilized in a stepwise fashion to encourage the return of your erectile function. These options are safe, and in many cases, allow you to be sexually active while working towards the recovery of your normal erections.
Urinary Continence
Pelvic floor exercises and a specific diet to assist in regaining urinary continence will be discussed at the pre-operative class. We encourage patients to practice these tips before surgery in order to enhance post-operative results. Most patients will regain complete urinary control shortly after removal of the Foley catheter. Few patients will require additional training of the pelvic floor muscles using biofeedback. At a biofeedback appointment, steps are taken to help identify the muscles responsible for urinary continence and the proper exercise techniques necessary to strengthen these muscles. Any further treatment is performed within Metro Urology.
The pre-operative class is given twice a month by Metro Urology. Please contact us for any further questions regarding time and location.
