• Penile health and improving your chances of regaining sexual function has been the main motivation to sell penis pumps in my clinic and in my online store.
• If you are a beginner pump user you could start with the Hercules and upgrade to the Hydromax 5 or 7 models, if greater suction and function is desired later on. Or simply start with the Hydromax 5 or 7. No problems either way.
• You can use a vacuum pump to help promote blood supply to the penis, maintain the tissue flexibility and ability of the penis to expand and stretch, encourage nerve response. We call this penile health.
• A pump is recommended to be used with viagra or cialis which may help speed up sexual recovery after surgery, speak to your specialist or GP about this medication.
• As a general rule you start pumping 6 weeks after the surgery. This can be done sooner (once the catheter has been removed)  but please speak to your specialist or pelvic floor physiotherapist for their recommendations first.
• Starting later than 6 weeks maybe needed if you have had any post-op complications, have tender scarring etc.
• The pump can be used before sexual intercourse to gain an erection and then (if needed) place a constriction ring around the base of the penis to maintain the erection and prevent blood leaving the penic (called venous leakage). Rings work best when there is some natural and spontaneous erectile function in the penis. 

• It is recommended you gradually build up the frequently and length of time you use the pump for. You should aim to have no discomfort, swelling or pain.
• General guidelines: Use pump 5-7 times/week. Pump and create an erect penis, leave erect in pump for 3-5mins, deflate vacumn pump, wait 1 minute - repeat this 3 times/session.
• Initially the penis may be sensitive after use, many men do not find it comfortable to have sex immediately after using their pump. However this sensitivity should reduce over time.
• STOP PUMPING IF YOU HAVE ANY FORM OF DISCOMFORT, START SLOWLY! 
• YOU CAN OVER PUMP! If you start off too aggresively, pump too hard, too quickly, too often and leave it on too long you can cause your penis to become bruised, sore and develop blood blisters (called petechial bleeds from burst small blood vessels). Expect some of these changes in mild forms in the first few weeks but they should resolve.
• Always observe the penis for changes as you pump.
• If you resume sexual intercourse aim to either have sex and/or use the pump atleast 3 times/week. ie. if you have sex once, use the pump twice. If you don't have sex use the pump 3 times etc. 

• Trim the pubic hair to ensure a good seal around the base of the penis.
• You can apply a small amount of lubricant to the head and base of the penis.

For a Bathmate Water-Based Pumps (without hand-pump)

1. Warm up by standing under the shower or lying in the bath for a few minutes allowing the scrotum and penis to relax and become soft.
2. Massage the penis to encourage blood flow.
3. Fit ribbed ring now if going to use during pumping otherwise;
4. Fill your Bathmate pump with water and face the open end of the pump upwards making sure the valve at the end of the pump is closed.
5. Insert your flaccid or semi-erect penis into the pump and position the pump evenly around the base of the penis whilst the pump is facing downwards.
6. Compress the rubber gaiter pump by pressign the pump against your body to expel water from the pump and force any air out by leaning backwards. Hold back the testicles to ensure a comfortable seal before compressing the pump. This can take a bit of practice to get the correct seal.
7. Start pumping slowly. You will feel the pressure increase as water is expelled. Repeat this until your penis is fully erect. When your penis is fully erect, you should notice an increase in suction which will hold the pump onto your body.
8. To complete your washing in the shower with the pump in the pressurised position place the hands-free shower strap around your neck and pump (optional device, highly recommended).
9. When you feel the pressure reducing simply compress the pump again.
10. General recommendations for penile health: pump and create erect penis, leave erect in pump for 3-5mins, deflate vacuum pump, wait 1 minute - repeat this 3 times each session.
11. Do not use for more than 20mins at one time.
12. To remove the pump depress/or click the valve on the end of pump, this will reduce the suction.
13. Wash your pump in hot soapy water and rinse off the soap. Rinse your Hydropump upside down with the valve open and be careful to rinse any soap or pubic hair from the valve. 
14. Dry and store away from direct sunlight.

Alternatively, without using a shower or a bath you can use the Hydropump with a tub/bucket underneath. Simply fill Hydropump with warm water, place over the penis as above and pump, aiming the expelled water into the tub below. Keep following instructions as above.