Case study of an implant journey

[Robert1966]

I would like to thank all the brothers on Franktalk!! Your honesty, intelligence and caring attitude has informed and guided my journey with implant surgery..… In turn, I’d like to help others and I have written up my case study to assist your personal decision making… also to share a woman’s experience across this journey, Mrs Robert has written parts in her own words to provide her perspective....

Mrs Robert
We have always had a positive, pleasure focussed relationship. With the advent of the prostatectomy we knew that our sexuality was going to be different. From the outset my aim was to be supportive and engaged, where ever this would lead us...

Scenario: I am 60 yo and I had a prostatectomy in 2009. The surgery was successful, but as a consequence of nerve damage I developed ED issues. Though nerves were active with a reasonable degree of tumescence, there was insufficient erectile rigidity for penetration unless I used prostaglandin injections.

Mrs Robert
We successfully moved into the injection process and this success was due to open communication about what both of us were experiencing. For myself, being a very kinesthetic “touchy feely” woman, I value physical closeness and am happy to be an instigator in cuddles and contact to get these needs met and to supplement our induced intercourse.

After using injections for ~ 12 months I developed an upward Peyronie's curvature of approx 30 deg. After 6 years, the required dose of prostaglandin increased (curvature did not), and by 8 years post surgery the dosage had increased to 16mcg and for me the level of induced pain was intolerable. There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain.. and I had reached my limit!! For me to have an active penetrative sex life, I would require an implant.

Mrs Robert
What I did not expect as a result of the changes to our sexuality was the impact on my emotional state. My sexuality is a strong part of my identity and only after many years did I realise that my unconscious perception of our bonding as a couple was affected, and this impacted on my self-esteem and my feeling of stability in our relationship. Be willing to talk about what you’re experiencing and ask your partner what she needs too to feel okay about whatever stage you are going through….

We discussed the option of an implant and I was initially fearful for Mr Robert, but this fear was based on lack of understanding. Mr Robert shared the research he did on the implant, the surgery and the outcomes with me, and this along with my own investigation enabled me to comprehend the benefits for Mr Robert (his ability to be reflexively sexual and feel sexy) and the then obvious benefits for me.

I chose a high volume surgeon who recommended a Titan implant (for rigidity) to address the Peyronies (which he ascribed to the prostatectomy, there was no evidence that it was linked to injection sites, rather he assumed that the fibrous tissue separating the corpora cavernosa had been damaged as a consequence of the trauma from the prostatectomy (where the urethra is shortened etc.))

I had held off getting an implant for a number reasons, one of which is that I actively ride enduro dirt bikes which results in a significant impact load on the groin/scrotum region.. The surgeon stated that he considered the implants indestructible relative to my organic tissue, and that I would not generate pain undertaking my recreational activities…


Preparative actions pre-operation:
I undertook kegel exercises for a month and VED practice for 6 months.
I focused on anti-bacterial washing from 10 days pre-op and sterilised my (relevant) clothing, towels and sheets, to give myself the best chance of a low bacteria load on the skin (there was to be a 15 min wash-down and shave when I was initially unconscious). I was conscious to use one hand (then wash it) for the posterior when showering to lower self-contamination risks.

Day of the Surgery:
Feeling like the most sterilised biological entity on the planet I was wheeled into surgery.. I was calm and really just looking forward to the best possible outcome. Anesthetic was via drip feed…. I began to return to conscious 90 minutes later. The operation had taken 60 minutes.
I had been surgically implanted with a Coloblast Titan OTR Zero Degree 20 cm (no RTE)
Pump set infrapublic…..125cc reservior The catalogue part number is..ES2820……
https://www.coloplastmd.com/wp-content/ ... _Final.pdf


As I became conscious I was experiencing a lot of pain at the infrapubic incision site (where a weighted bag had been placed)... they removed the bag .. I was also feeling significant pain on the shaft of my penis… so they unwrapped a compression dressing and upped my pain-killing medication (intravenously) .. as the pain dropped they replaced these two compression points… after approximately 60 mins in recovery I was returned to my room… the motion induced significant nausea in me… and I needed 3 sets of anti-nausea medication and 3 hours to recover from this… approx 4.5 hours post I was feeling fine… and was conscious of a firm erection.. My (unbandaged) penis was red and swollen.. but overall my groin area appeared remarkably unaffected by the surgery… The most astounding thing for me was that my erection felt (to me) entirely like my physiologically normal erection… both when I felt it by hand and also from my internal experience of the erection.. Amazing.. biologically augmented.. and physiologically authentic….

Recovery Day 1:
Much to my surprise I found that I could get by without pain medication.. I tried some late at night but in general the pain level was amazingly low considering the invasive nature of the surgery that had been undertaken in a nerve intensive region.

Recovery Day 2:
The surgical drain tube was removed, with 400ml of fluid drained… I went home at lunch time… had a pain med before I got in the car.. As I am epileptic .. I was very careful of the choice of pain meds… many react with my anticonvulsant medication or have some risk of inducing seizures… At home I just lay down.. which minimised the pain..

Recovery Day 3:
Continuously lying down…much more obvious bruising now present on the shaft of the penis... I only used a pain med at night… the pain had increased.. And in fact peaked on Days 3 and 4… I have lost 2.5kg since the day of the surgery (despite being implanted with bioflex, silicon, and saline !)

Recovery Day 4:
No pain meds… and none since.. However I needed to lie down a lot and commenced hot baths.. which were great at relieving the pain.

Recovery Day 5:
A major issue with constipation as I had not had a bowel movement for 6 days.. Breakfast was prunes.. Lunch was figs.. And mild laxatives in the diet…….. it worked.. contributing to an overall improvement in my well being.
Most pain is around the pump region… second level of pain is from the penis (shaft and head).. Incision pain and pain around the reservoir region...gone
I almost fainted getting out of a hot bath in the evening.. A blood pressure drop (I am on BP meds)….be careful .. the surgery impacts in some subtle ways..

Recovery Day 7:
Eight days post surgery and a quantum lowering in the pain experienced.. though still dependent on lying down a lot to relieve pain and hot baths are a celebration...

Recovery Day 8-12:
Rate of reduction of pain level has slowed.. Pain mainly around the site of the pump in the scrotum… general soreness across the length of the penis… some issues with sleeping due to the pain.. An issue with part of the incision wound not healing, and continuing to weep. This is concerning due to the risk of inflection, so I went on a course of antibiotics and had specialised wound treatment. Continuing to lie down as much as possible to ameliorate the pain. Taking bathes frequently and beginning to massage around the pump. Noticing that my general physicality is improving.. More comfortable with flexible motion in the upper body, and less requirement to walk with my legs slightly open to avoid aggregating the pain in the general scrotal region. Commenced gentle stretching exercises on Day 12, and the body responded well to this, it is evident that apart from a section of the incision, significant post-surgery healing has occurred.

Recovery Day 13:
A fortnight since the surgery… tangible progression in the last 24 hrs in that the pain around the pump had reduced to the point that it no longer impacts on sleep. Stepping up massaging of the pump region. Also gently flexing the penis downwards (only small movements). It appears that the massaging is accelerating recovery. I continue to undertake gentle stretching exercises. I commence cycling the implant, firstly by deflating it (it had been left ~50% inflated post surgery) to ensure that function was operative then gently inflating. All worked well.

Recovery Day 14-24:
More mobile, though still in pain around the pump. Regular cycling twice a day. The Titan is One Touch Release, though it does not appear to function with one touch. The button needs to be held down continuously. Part of the incision not fully closed and weeping.


Recovery Day 30:
Some exploratory sexual activity with Mrs Robert. Penetration is easy with full sensitivity. Healing is still occuring so gentle activity only. A remarkable and enduring feeling of sexual arousal. Interestingly I am achieving more pleasure from receiving oral sex than ever before. The bioflex of the Titan implant is quite rigid, so even in a deflated state the penis has a feeling of fullness that one would normally associate with a developing erection.. Not a bad way to spend the day!

Mrs Robert:
For me the penis feels entirely normal to view and touch in an erect state and is a larger package in a deflated state. We have both made his “extra testicle” a source of pleasure. I yet to use the pump to inflate by my own hand but we plan to bring this into our foreplay. Mr Robert’s erect penis works wonderfully well for penetrative sex as he does not have to concentrate on maintaining an erection and can just concentrate on enjoying the pleasure. The ability to dial up erection size and firmness is also unexpected fun and pleasure which of course can now keep going on and on for both of us.

Recovery Day 60:
Incision wound fully healed, but careful management had been required. The only pain now occurs when the implant is inflated to the maximum. Under this situation I feel pain in the base of the penis predominately, with some pain in the shaft and the head. Sexual activity now being more comprehensively explored with an inflation of ~ 80%. The implant has major advantages c.f. a physiological normal erection. There is no need to cognitively engage with maintaining an erection.. So it allows the mind to more fully explore sensual experiences, from my experience the implant is capable of heightening Tantric sexual practices…. So one is able to take sexual experiences in a new direction from what has previously been possible as a healthy male.



Summary:
The mind is our predominate sexual entity, and from my experiences the introduction of implant technology has expanded the capacity for heightened sexuality based on the richer mental engagement that is possible when no thought has to be given to erectile state. It has been a worthwhile journey, though with evident challenges. We are fortunate to live in a time when such a technology is available…
I am happy to answer any questions as is Mrs Robert...

[Larry10625]

I would like to thank all the brothers on Franktalk!! Your honesty, intelligence and caring attitude has informed and guided my journey with implant surgery..… In turn, I’d like to help others and I have written up my case study to assist your personal decision making… also to share a woman’s experience across this journey, Mrs Robert has written parts in her own words to provide her perspective....

Mrs Robert
We have always had a positive, pleasure focussed relationship. With the advent of the prostatectomy we knew that our sexuality was going to be different. From the outset my aim was to be supportive and engaged, where ever this would lead us...

Scenario: I am 60 yo and I had a prostatectomy in 2009. The surgery was successful, but as a consequence of nerve damage I developed ED issues. Though nerves were active with a reasonable degree of tumescence, there was insufficient erectile rigidity for penetration unless I used prostaglandin injections.

Mrs Robert
We successfully moved into the injection process and this success was due to open communication about what both of us were experiencing. For myself, being a very kinesthetic “touchy feely” woman, I value physical closeness and am happy to be an instigator in cuddles and contact to get these needs met and to supplement our induced intercourse.

After using injections for ~ 12 months I developed an upward Peyronie's curvature of approx 30 deg. After 6 years, the required dose of prostaglandin increased (curvature did not), and by 8 years post surgery the dosage had increased to 16mcg and for me the level of induced pain was intolerable. There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain.. and I had reached my limit!! For me to have an active penetrative sex life, I would require an implant.

Mrs Robert
What I did not expect as a result of the changes to our sexuality was the impact on my emotional state. My sexuality is a strong part of my identity and only after many years did I realise that my unconscious perception of our bonding as a couple was affected, and this impacted on my self-esteem and my feeling of stability in our relationship. Be willing to talk about what you’re experiencing and ask your partner what she needs too to feel okay about whatever stage you are going through….

We discussed the option of an implant and I was initially fearful for Mr Robert, but this fear was based on lack of understanding. Mr Robert shared the research he did on the implant, the surgery and the outcomes with me, and this along with my own investigation enabled me to comprehend the benefits for Mr Robert (his ability to be reflexively sexual and feel sexy) and the then obvious benefits for me.

I chose a high volume surgeon who recommended a Titan implant (for rigidity) to address the Peyronies (which he ascribed to the prostatectomy, there was no evidence that it was linked to injection sites, rather he assumed that the fibrous tissue separating the corpora cavernosa had been damaged as a consequence of the trauma from the prostatectomy (where the urethra is shortened etc.))

I had held off getting an implant for a number reasons, one of which is that I actively ride enduro dirt bikes which results in a significant impact load on the groin/scrotum region.. The surgeon stated that he considered the implants indestructible relative to my organic tissue, and that I would not generate pain undertaking my recreational activities…


Preparative actions pre-operation:
I undertook kegel exercises for a month and VED practice for 6 months.
I focused on anti-bacterial washing from 10 days pre-op and sterilised my (relevant) clothing, towels and sheets, to give myself the best chance of a low bacteria load on the skin (there was to be a 15 min wash-down and shave when I was initially unconscious). I was conscious to use one hand (then wash it) for the posterior when showering to lower self-contamination risks.

Day of the Surgery:
Feeling like the most sterilised biological entity on the planet I was wheeled into surgery.. I was calm and really just looking forward to the best possible outcome. Anesthetic was via drip feed…. I began to return to conscious 90 minutes later. The operation had taken 60 minutes.
I had been surgically implanted with a Coloblast Titan OTR Zero Degree 20 cm (no RTE)
Pump set infrapublic…..125cc reservior The catalogue part number is..ES2820……
https://www.coloplastmd.com/wp-content/ ... _Final.pdf


As I became conscious I was experiencing a lot of pain at the infrapubic incision site (where a weighted bag had been placed)... they removed the bag .. I was also feeling significant pain on the shaft of my penis… so they unwrapped a compression dressing and upped my pain-killing medication (intravenously) .. as the pain dropped they replaced these two compression points… after approximately 60 mins in recovery I was returned to my room… the motion induced significant nausea in me… and I needed 3 sets of anti-nausea medication and 3 hours to recover from this… approx 4.5 hours post I was feeling fine… and was conscious of a firm erection.. My (unbandaged) penis was red and swollen.. but overall my groin area appeared remarkably unaffected by the surgery… The most astounding thing for me was that my erection felt (to me) entirely like my physiologically normal erection… both when I felt it by hand and also from my internal experience of the erection.. Amazing.. biologically augmented.. and physiologically authentic….

Recovery Day 1:
Much to my surprise I found that I could get by without pain medication.. I tried some late at night but in general the pain level was amazingly low considering the invasive nature of the surgery that had been undertaken in a nerve intensive region.

Recovery Day 2:
The surgical drain tube was removed, with 400ml of fluid drained… I went home at lunch time… had a pain med before I got in the car.. As I am epileptic .. I was very careful of the choice of pain meds… many react with my anticonvulsant medication or have some risk of inducing seizures… At home I just lay down.. which minimised the pain..

Recovery Day 3:
Continuously lying down…much more obvious bruising now present on the shaft of the penis... I only used a pain med at night… the pain had increased.. And in fact peaked on Days 3 and 4… I have lost 2.5kg since the day of the surgery (despite being implanted with bioflex, silicon, and saline !)

Recovery Day 4:
No pain meds… and none since.. However I needed to lie down a lot and commenced hot baths.. which were great at relieving the pain.

Recovery Day 5:
A major issue with constipation as I had not had a bowel movement for 6 days.. Breakfast was prunes.. Lunch was figs.. And mild laxatives in the diet…….. it worked.. contributing to an overall improvement in my well being.
Most pain is around the pump region… second level of pain is from the penis (shaft and head).. Incision pain and pain around the reservoir region...gone
I almost fainted getting out of a hot bath in the evening.. A blood pressure drop (I am on BP meds)….be careful .. the surgery impacts in some subtle ways..

Recovery Day 7:
Eight days post surgery and a quantum lowering in the pain experienced.. though still dependent on lying down a lot to relieve pain and hot baths are a celebration...

Recovery Day 8-12:
Rate of reduction of pain level has slowed.. Pain mainly around the site of the pump in the scrotum… general soreness across the length of the penis… some issues with sleeping due to the pain.. An issue with part of the incision wound not healing, and continuing to weep. This is concerning due to the risk of inflection, so I went on a course of antibiotics and had specialised wound treatment. Continuing to lie down as much as possible to ameliorate the pain. Taking bathes frequently and beginning to massage around the pump. Noticing that my general physicality is improving.. More comfortable with flexible motion in the upper body, and less requirement to walk with my legs slightly open to avoid aggregating the pain in the general scrotal region. Commenced gentle stretching exercises on Day 12, and the body responded well to this, it is evident that apart from a section of the incision, significant post-surgery healing has occurred.

Recovery Day 13:
A fortnight since the surgery… tangible progression in the last 24 hrs in that the pain around the pump had reduced to the point that it no longer impacts on sleep. Stepping up massaging of the pump region. Also gently flexing the penis downwards (only small movements). It appears that the massaging is accelerating recovery. I continue to undertake gentle stretching exercises. I commence cycling the implant, firstly by deflating it (it had been left ~50% inflated post surgery) to ensure that function was operative then gently inflating. All worked well.

Recovery Day 14-24:
More mobile, though still in pain around the pump. Regular cycling twice a day. The Titan is One Touch Release, though it does not appear to function with one touch. The button needs to be held down continuously. Part of the incision not fully closed and weeping.


Recovery Day 30:
Some exploratory sexual activity with Mrs Robert. Penetration is easy with full sensitivity. Healing is still occuring so gentle activity only. A remarkable and enduring feeling of sexual arousal. Interestingly I am achieving more pleasure from receiving oral sex than ever before. The bioflex of the Titan implant is quite rigid, so even in a deflated state the penis has a feeling of fullness that one would normally associate with a developing erection.. Not a bad way to spend the day!

Mrs Robert:
For me the penis feels entirely normal to view and touch in an erect state and is a larger package in a deflated state. We have both made his “extra testicle” a source of pleasure. I yet to use the pump to inflate by my own hand but we plan to bring this into our foreplay. Mr Robert’s erect penis works wonderfully well for penetrative sex as he does not have to concentrate on maintaining an erection and can just concentrate on enjoying the pleasure. The ability to dial up erection size and firmness is also unexpected fun and pleasure which of course can now keep going on and on for both of us.

Recovery Day 60:
Incision wound fully healed, but careful management had been required. The only pain now occurs when the implant is inflated to the maximum. Under this situation I feel pain in the base of the penis predominately, with some pain in the shaft and the head. Sexual activity now being more comprehensively explored with an inflation of ~ 80%. The implant has major advantages c.f. a physiological normal erection. There is no need to cognitively engage with maintaining an erection.. So it allows the mind to more fully explore sensual experiences, from my experience the implant is capable of heightening Tantric sexual practices…. So one is able to take sexual experiences in a new direction from what has previously been possible as a healthy male.



Summary:
The mind is our predominate sexual entity, and from my experiences the introduction of implant technology has expanded the capacity for heightened sexuality based on the richer mental engagement that is possible when no thought has to be given to erectile state. It has been a worthwhile journey, though with evident challenges. We are fortunate to live in a time when such a technology is available…
I am happy to answer any questions as is Mrs Robert...

It was a great idea having your wife's views as well. Just a reminder that this website is for men only but there are ways to get the ladies views without them actually on the site themselves. Great post.

Larry

[Hawkman]

In my view, this site should NOT be for men only. Women are far better at support and getting things done rather than suffering in silence. All you have to do is look at the support for breast cancer as compared to prostate cancer. There are few things more critical at getting input from to give us perspective than the view of women. Anyone that is married knows this is NOT a 1 person problem or a 1 person decision.

[Lost Sheep]

In my view, this site should NOT be for men only. Women are far better at support and getting things done rather than suffering in silence. All you have to do is look at the support for breast cancer as compared to prostate cancer. There are few things more critical at getting input from to give us perspective than the view of women. Anyone that is married knows this is NOT a 1 person problem or a 1 person decision.

I agree, Hawkman, but I made that suggestion to the moderator several months ago (in Private Messages) and we had a long discussion about the reasoning behind the policy.

I still think women members should be allowed, but the discussion deserves its own thread or in PMs.

Respectfully,

Lost Sheep

Edited to add:

I just created a thread in "General Discussion". It might be worth looking at, if not for the discussion, for the links to other threads that include the "female perspective" .

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10661

[purcelldds]

This is one of the most informative and useful posts I have read on here precisely because there was a woman’s input. I wish there was more of it. As I am contemplating an implant, the first hand female perspective is very helpful for me and my wife to make a decision. While it’s “men only” in that women can’t open a profile, who’s to say we can’t share this with our wives and certainly post for them what they have to say. The implant is implanted in us as men but it is for me AND my wife.

[Lost Sheep]

This is one of the most informative and useful posts I have read on here precisely because there was a woman’s input. I wish there was more of it. As I am contemplating an implant, the first hand female perspective is very helpful for me and my wife to make a decision. While it’s “men only” in that women can’t open a profile, who’s to say we can’t share this with our wives and certainly post for them what they have to say. The implant is implanted in us as men but it is for me AND my wife.

Yes, women can go onto the forum and read for themselves. They can read over their male partner's shoulder, too. And their male partner can post on their behalf. There is no prohibition on those, I believe.

But a woman partner of a man with E.D. cannot easily converse with anyone here to ask questions, PM or in threads. I don't think they can search, either, a major drawback, I think.

There was a thread by a woman who knew her partner had an implant but chose not to tell her. She chose not to tell him she knew. I imagine she joined without knowing she was prohibited. However, the thread was VERY useful to some men here...and to her.

On the other hand, knowing that women were reading and reacting to their most private thoughts might have a chilling effect on the men's expression of their most private (and sometimes embarrassing) thoughts and feelings.

That chilling effect is worthy of consideration because helping the men with E.D. is the primary goal of the forum, not their partners (male OR female).

It is a balance the owners of the forum have found.