Can my bladder be examined or operated on with the impant in place?
Yes. For a routine bladder examination with ultrasound, no special precautions need to be taken. In the case of surgery (endoscopic through the urethra) e.g. for ureteral stones, the ATOMS can be emptied before the procedure is carried out. We strongly recommend consulting a surgeon familiar with ATOMS, ideally one who has experience.
What types of physical activity should I avoid?
It is advisable to refrain from doing sports such as horse riding and bike riding, which place added pressure on the implant. In some cases a special bike saddle may help if recommended by your surgeon. It has to be considered that every added pressure on an implant may compromise the longevity and effectiveness of such an implant. Apart from this, there are no other major physical restrictions and you should be able to resume your usual lifestyle after the wounds have healed.
Can I have X-rays or an MRI scan with the system in place?
Yes. The whole implant including the titanium port is non-ferromagnetic, which means any type of medical imaging examinations (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) can be carried out safely. However, please show your implant pass to the staff before any such examination.
What side effects are to be expected?
ATOMS consists of bio-compatible, tested components. It is primarily made of medical grade silicone, titanium and polypropylene, which are used since decades on a daily basis for the manufacture of various medical products. Adverse patient reactions are seldom, however as with any implant, there are always risks that your surgeon will explain in detail. More common side effects are direct post-operative perineal pain, which may continue for more than two weeks, and numbness or increased sensitivity around the scrotum, glans or groin.
The effectiveness of the therapy with ATOMS cannot be guaranteed and depends on a variety of factors, e.g. degree of incontinence, general health index before surgery, etc.. Please consult your doctor in detail about all possible risks and side effects.