Spargano

at the request of some, I am including pictures of my current stent. The pictures include overall length, close up of the vents, o-rings, and folds; the terminus (13cm from the end of the stent), and a view of the inner lumen unobstructed by anything for smooth flow.

my stent flushed out this morning so I had the opportunity to wash, take some pictures and put it back in. It’s construction held up very well over the last week or so that I had it in. The reason it flushed out is it migrates in when I sleep and roll around. Then the backup urine overcomes the orings and pushes it out of the bladder and back into position or far enough out that the retrieval line comes out. Being able to wash the biofilm off weekly will help ensure a clean and safe environment. loving life 😁

I reiterate that I am so sorry that happened to you! I am glad you did not suffer worse from it! cautionary tails like this are incredibly important and necessary for people making the journey. Yes, the list of happy and safe stent users is 10 and growing, but everyone on that list will urge caution and an abundance of safety checks before proceeding.

I would read up on it. Yes, progressively larger catheters can do that, though you would need to dialate it every week or so, but that is with a medium that is one solid piece with tapered ends while still not “safe” can be managed. Trying that with a stent will lead to one of three scenarios, 1. Scarring in the urethra which would eventually lead to self catheterization to open up an channel 2. the silicone tearing when you pull on the retrieval line to remove it because something that thick will get stuck and then you will need an ER visit to get it out with hopefully minimal bleeding as the torn section will scratch and prod inside you. 3. severe trauma as you try to get it into your prostate which will NOT be pleasant. something @BrownBobby said in another thread. The body wants to be continent and so it will try to fix itself. You have one of three options in my opinion. 1. Go the stent route that is simulated and reversible incontinence with comfortable materials and size for your unique anatomy. 2. Go the catheter route of progressively larger catheters over a 6 month to a year journey that will eventually cause incontinence (albeit one that will require you catheterizing maybe once a week with the extremely large catheter so as to keep it from healing and closing). Or 3 get the surgery with a safe and reputable doctor. in my opinion, trying to combine 1 and 2, is going to invite a catastrophic result that might end up on the Darwin Awards.

Go nuts with what YOUR body can handle. I will say from my little research that if if you want something that will feel comfortable for long term wear, 8-9mm is then largest width you want in you. When I was doing 9mm pony beads it threatened to tear at the meatus on entry and exit and I did have some tears. if the stent is working you don’t need a massive ID. Why would you need a diameter significantly large than the natural urethra’s diameter? That invites potential injury, scarring, strictures. If it’s backing up, it’s not because of the ID of the stent but because of ventilation.

You were one of the first to help me on the journey before @cathdiap started tutoring and then @UsuallyDiapered worked together in tandem.

Stented life is bliss. After a few weeks of this routine I can solidly say my stent is near perfect for me. 7.2cm total length 6.4cm between anchors. Two 1.5mm vents horizontal 3mm below my proximal anchor at 3 and 6 o’clock if I am facing 12 o’clock with a 3rd 1.5 mm vent 6mm below the anchor at 6 o’clock. With my 13 inch tether line terminating at a 2mm silicone orb, my stent always finds its way out even when it migrates into the bladder. Because it’s all silicone there is no discomfort whatsoever. not seeing or feeling a line and barely ever feeling the stent, makes this as close to true incontinence as I can get. My biggest hurtle was going for long distance runs but even that is no longer an issue. It’s nice to be reporting of enjoyment as opposed to “the next tweak.” There is truly nothing I can think to improve. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect or without risks. When seated on a hard surface it can migrate. When I am lying on my belly or side it can migrate. I just don’t care anymore. One decent pee and it gets either knocked back into position or knocked out entirely. If it gets knocked out entirely then I wash the stent (this would be the times when I would put in a new stent with slight changes, a mm adjustment here or there). Each adjustment has made it more and more comfortable. The fact that it will always eventually pop out means that I never have to worry about the silicone degrading in 6 months. I will always have fresh clean parts. what this means for my day is I can never be without my diaper bag with at least 3-4 diapers. I never know if it will be a high flow few hours or a steady drip few few hours. I have had to change plans on where to go because my diaper needed a bad change or I had leaked. I am loving every moment of it. It’s teaching me to plan better and be ready to change anywhere. all this is to say I am a very happy person who is living the fulfilled goal. Not the incontinence, but an artificial one that mirrors the other so closely that I can safely say I am content. As I said I can’t think of any improvements so baring a wild epiphany or revelation this is going to be my story and my stent for the foreseeable future.

My sympathies that this happened to you. A couple of questions. When did this happen? You mentioned a catheter and not a stent so what exactly happened? Also, what safety protocols were not followed. Many of us have gone to the doctor because of a mishap, and some of us have had issues with our trials, but I have yet to hear of someone having such a traumatic injury. I agree that anyone doing this needs to understand there are risks and to take every safety precaution possible. I am still trying to figure out what could have caused that damage

Current Stent — Step-by-Step (Revised) 0) Materials & tools Silicone tube 4 mm ID × 6 mm OD Silicone O-rings 8 mm OD × 4 mm ID × 2 mm Momentive RTV118 (one-part silicone) 10 lb braided fishing line 1.5 mm hole punch, sewing needle, medical forceps Measuring tape, scissors, fine sandpaper 1) Mark the proximal work area Identify where the proximal anchor (O-ring over a fold) will sit. Mark two vent positions ~3 mm distal to that anchor, and a third ~6 mm distal. 2) Create the proximal fold & seat the O-ring Using forceps, flip ~3 mm of the tube wall outward to form a cuff. Brush on a thin, continuous film of RTV118 around the fold. Slide the O-ring over the fold to “cap” the edge; let cure, then add a second coat to eliminate gaps. 3) Punch vents (angle & orientation) With the 1.5 mm punch at ~60°, make: Two vents at 3 mm from the anchor: 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. One vent at 6 mm from the anchor: 7 o’clock. 4) Deburr & keep vents patent Lightly coat the vent edges with a thin layer of RTV118 to smooth any burrs. While curing, gently pass a sewing needle through each vent so it stays open. When cured, edges should feel glass-smooth to the fingertip (your “tongue test” standard). 5) Set anchor-to-anchor span Measure 6.4 cm from the proximal anchor and mark the distal anchor location. This span reliably bridges your sphincters and preserves push-pull stability. 6) Build the distal fold & O-ring Leave ~6 cm of tubing beyond the distal anchor mark to make the fold. Form the same ~3 mm outward cuff and seat the distal O-ring over it, using two thin coats of RTV118 to remove edges. 7) Sew & route the retrieval line; cover the knot Stitch the 10 lb braided line into the wall near the distal end; tie securely. Thread the line through one of the pierced holes and out the distal mouth. Trim the knot close; bury it under a thin coat of RTV118; slide the distal O-ring flush so the knot is protected. Add a second coat after the first cures to ensure no edges. 😎 Cure & smooth check Allow a full cure (RTV118 needs adequate time to finish off-gassing; longer is safer). Confirm: No burrs or sharp transitions at either fold or vents. Vents remain open after cure (re-probe with a needle if needed). 9) Add the retrieval-line “pillow” orb Measure 13 cm of line from the distal tip. Lightly scuff the last 2–3 mm with fine sandpaper; add a small bead of RTV118 to form a ~1.8–2.0 mm orb. Let it cure fully; it should feel like a soft pillow, not a point. 10) Final spec & orientation Total length: 7.2–7.5 cm Anchor span: 6.4 cm Retrieval line length: ~13 cm beyond distal tip Vents: two at 3 mm from the proximal anchor (3 & 9 o’clock) + one at 6 mm (7 o’clock) Hygiene & safety notes (important) RTV118 must be fully cured before any internal contact; uncured sealant can irritate tissue. Use new/clean components; clean tools; rinse finished parts thoroughly with sterile saline. Discontinue use and seek care for fever, burning pain, persistent bleeding, flank pain, or foul urine (warning signs of UTI/obstruction). I’m not a clinician—this is a documentation of your build; for medical use, a urologist’s guidance is safest.

Maybe a cloth diaper? When I take my son to the pool I drape a dark towel around my waist and then when I am in the water it’s no issue. It’s only obvious if your shorts are dry

It’s amazing to me that each member on that list came up with their unique engineering answer on how to bridge that gap between the sphincters. I could not imagine not being stented at this point. The incontinence it provides is heaven

That’s exactly how mine is

Small update. Enjoying stented life and finally able to run without issues again. Today was a blessing as I did not bear down at all and had to change 4 very full diapers. Barely felt the stent at all. With my interior retrieval line I do not feel or see anything, all I see is urine coming out 😁. now, it’s not always golden. Occasionally I will get a full migration into the bladder, BUT the retrieval line acts as guide wire so eventually the stent will pee out, but it’s becoming less and less of an issue, more of an annoyance. Given my entire stent is silicone, it’s never a risk of injury to anything. That all being said, I don’t recommend my method to anyone. I accept all my risks. A risk less version of my stent would be to have the line looped around the penis, but it irritated me. My line is 13cm with a 2mm silicone bead as terminus from the distal end of the stent. That’s long enough to stay out of the bladder but short enough to avoid sensitive areas. This translates to a stent that feels lineless even when it is not.

Check out the stent designs in the first pages. There is a modified catheter that might do what you want.