Implant: Needing a pep talk

[HardTimes26]

Hello!

This is a great board; thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

My implant surgery is scheduled in a few weeks, and I'm starting to get kind of nervous. Is that par for the course?

Quick history: Prostate surgery, radiation and venous leak = unresponsive to pills and injections; vacuum pump is unsatisfactory. I want to reclaim my sex life — an implant is my only option. It’s the no-turning-back part and the product warnings that give me pause.

I’ve spent time on these boards comparing AMS and Coloplast and, frankly, can’t see a clear choice. My doctor says he’ll decide in the O.R. if I state no preference. Any advice here is welcome.

Also curious to hear:

1. How long before your new equipment felt like “part of the furniture”? When did you forget about the reservoir in your abdomen?

2. When were you able to resume light workouts? (Jogging, light weights, yoga, cross-country skiing, etc.)

3. Doctors tell me that men have a really high satisfaction rate with implants — more than 90 percent. How many months until you felt “Wow! This was worth going through the surgery”?

4. How does the implant procedure compare with prostate surgery, in terms of discomfort and recovery time? I have been lucky— no incontinence following prostate surgery. My doc assures me the implant won’t mess that up. Has that been your experience?

5. Length: The doc says he’ll stretch me out on the operating table to size me up. That is troubling. Flaccid does not come close to erect in my case. (I have been using a pump to restore/maintain size since prostate surgery.) How did your doctor fit you out?

6. With an implant, arousal becomes mechanical, not organic. What psychological adjustments did you have to make? (The Coloplast warnings mention this.) Do you miss the spontaneity you once had?

Thanks very much for any help with this stuff.

[oldog12]

To sum-up my experience, I celebrate the date of my surgery as a "New Life" anniversary. It has been a positive life-changing experience. I did not have any post-op discomfort after my prostatectomy, and neither was my implant surgery painful (other than extra strength Tylenol and ice packs). I, too, worried about sizing after the surgeon's PA (a young lady) stretched my post-prostatectomy hiding-turtle penis out. She just said "you'll be happy". And I am. Size is same length as in my prime (maybe a bit longer, and definitely more girth). It was maybe a couple months before it felt it was part of me, but no big deal--I was so proud of having it! I wish I had done it immediately after my prostate surgery instead of trying pills/injections for wasted years. I have the AMS CX--no problems after 4 years, and is a steel rod when fully pumped. I still feel arousal and have some slight growth naturally, but nothing capable of penetration. I love the 100% assuring of pumping it up and lasting! So no remorse on this note, but I still miss the ejaculations that the prostate surgery terminated. I am older, so the gym activities were not an issue, but normal walking/jogging, skiing would not be a problem after normal surgical healing.
Hope this helps some.

[oldog12]

PS: My libido is very high--much higher than prior to the implant. I'm 72 yr, but feel like a 40 yr old in that arena.
Life is fun!

[ElbowRoom]

Hello!

This is a great board; thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

My implant surgery is scheduled in a few weeks, and I'm starting to get kind of nervous. Is that par for the course?

Quick history: Prostate surgery, radiation and venous leak = unresponsive to pills and injections; vacuum pump is unsatisfactory. I want to reclaim my sex life — an implant is my only option. It’s the no-turning-back part and the product warnings that give me pause.

I’ve spent time on these boards comparing AMS and Coloplast and, frankly, can’t see a clear choice. My doctor says he’ll decide in the O.R. if I state no preference. Any advice here is welcome.

Also curious to hear:

1. How long before your new equipment felt like “part of the furniture”? When did you forget about the reservoir in your abdomen?

2. When were you able to resume light workouts? (Jogging, light weights, yoga, cross-country skiing, etc.)

3. Doctors tell me that men have a really high satisfaction rate with implants — more than 90 percent. How many months until you felt “Wow! This was worth going through the surgery”?

4. How does the implant procedure compare with prostate surgery, in terms of discomfort and recovery time? I have been lucky— no incontinence following prostate surgery. My doc assures me the implant won’t mess that up. Has that been your experience?

5. Length: The doc says he’ll stretch me out on the operating table to size me up. That is troubling. Flaccid does not come close to erect in my case. (I have been using a pump to restore/maintain size since prostate surgery.) How did your doctor fit you out?

6. With an implant, arousal becomes mechanical, not organic. What psychological adjustments did you have to make? (The Coloplast warnings mention this.) Do you miss the spontaneity you once had?

Thanks very much for any help with this stuff.

I’m at about nine weeks from my surgery. Here are my answers:

1) It mostly feels like a normal part of me now, with an occasional twinge of discomfort or odd feeling. For me the reservoir is the most uncomfortable part, but only because mine wanted ride upward during the surgery and the doc had to secure it with some stitches. So I was told to expect soreness or discomfort there for some months. I think most guys forget the reservoir much more quickly.

2) I was cleared for light running and stretching at 5 weeks, and I started body weight exercises like pushups, and weights, in week 8.

3) I’m not at the wow stage yet, but I am seeing the benefits and already think it’s worth it. Once I’m able to have orgasms from regular intercourse, I’ll be completely satisfied with this procedure.

4) I don’t have the experience of prostate surgery, so can’t help with that.

5) The doctor will induce an erection using saline, and then dilate and measure your corpora internally, so they’ll get a “true” measure of your erect length, and size accordingly. A good surgeon will be very accurate in sizing you.

6) Arousal is NOT mechanical with an implant. Arousal happens in the brain, only erection happens in the penis. Your erection will be mechanical, which is a good thing when you have ED. You can stay as hard as you want, as long as you want, as often as you want. Your arousal response will be unchanged…you’ll get horny, feel excitement, get blood rushing to your tissues. Only the corporal erectile tissues, which have little to no nerves anyway, are altered by the implant.

One thing to be aware of, is that you will be a “shower” after surgery, and from your comments you were a “grower” before. This sounds great, but it is a big adjustment, especially it you have a large erect size. I have a 28cm Titan, and that equates to a 8-8.5” erect length.

That length is pretty constant, even flaccid I’m 7.75” and that is hard to manage and conceal sometimes. In certain clothes it looks like I have a large semi going on constantly, and stowing it for exercise can be challenging. First world problem for sure, but it is something to be aware of.

[GoodWood]

Congrats on taking this big step. It was the right decision for me and it sounds like you have explored the various treatment options.

All the IPP models will give you a rigid erection, as hard as you want, for as long as you want, whenever you want.

In short the AMS LGX has the softest flaccid, but all the IPP models are acceptable in that regard. But the LGX is a bit better.

The AMS LGX has the smallest diameter, the AMS CX is larger and the Coloplast Titan is the largest. If you have above average girth the CX and Titan are a better choice to try to keep your girth. If you have longer than average length the CX and Titan are a better choice to keep that length.

If you are dating or hooking up and would line to have a discreet pump that will likely not be noticed if they put their hands or mouth on your scrotum/balls, the Coloplast Classic pump is the most discrete. It doesn’t really have any squared off edges or corners that are a giveaway that something is artificial in there.

All of these are modest differences.

Now onto your questions:

…I’ve spent time on these boards comparing AMS and Coloplast… Any advice here is welcome.


1. How long before your new equipment felt like “part of the furniture”? When did you forget about the reservoir in your abdomen?

2. When were you able to resume light workouts? (Jogging, light weights, yoga, cross-country skiing, etc.)

3. Doctors tell me that men have a really high satisfaction rate with implants — more than 90 percent. How many months until you felt “Wow! This was worth going through the surgery”?


5. Length: The doc says he’ll stretch me out on the operating table to size me up. That is troubling. Flaccid does not come close to erect in my case. (I have been using a pump to restore/maintain size since prostate surgery.) How did your doctor fit you out?

6. With an implant, arousal becomes mechanical, not organic. What psychological adjustments did you have to make? (The Coloplast warnings mention this.) Do you miss the spontaneity you once had?

1) after about a month I realized I was forgetting about the implant for longer and longer stretches of time. I’m 10 months post-op now and rarely think about it.
The reservoir never really bothered me at all. I can’t really feel where it is.

2). I was told after 2 weeks to start to increase my walking. At a month I was jogging on a treadmill. I gently increased my workouts (rowing, free weights/dumbells). And was told to be gentle about increasing it and pay attention to what my body was telling me. Every one is different, heals at different speeds.

3) I never really had a “OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?” Moment. Some guys do, but not all. As soon as I inflated for the first time and felt how rigid it was I knew I had made the right decision.

4) I don’t have any experience with this.

5) Choose a surgeon that has done quite a few implants. They will be experienced measuring appropriately. The way they measure you will take into account your penis stretched as though it is erect.

6) I still get thicker/fuller when I get turned on. I still get morning wood. If you have any erectile function at all pre-implant, it’s possible you will too. I certainly need the IPP to be rigid enough to do anything, but I still have a physical reaction to arousal. It was a much BIGGER psychological adjustment to want to be intimate but unable to do so because of my ED.
I pump up in a way that is similar to the erectile function I had pre-ED. A few pumps, as I get more turned on, a few more pumps, a few more, a few more, until I’m rigid enough for sex. When sex is done I reach down and hold the deflate button and part of that rigidity goes away but a fullness remains, just like I was after an orgasm pre-ED. A few minutes later that I fully deflate. This has all become a natural easy thing.

Choose a great surgeon, and then follow their directions to the letter. You’ll likely have a great experience by and be able to put the disappointment of ED behind you.

[Old Guy]

Yes, it is a big step but in the right direction. I didn't have prostate cancer, just ED that got worse and worse that led me to getting the implant. Nervous is normal, I was on edge since it was my first ever surgery at 68 y/o.
It took me around 6 months to feel like the implant was part of me. At one year I hardly thought about it. Didn't have any issues with the reservoir at all. By the 3rd day I was walking in the back yard but sitting down was tough for several weeks. Since I had yet to find Frank Talk with all this good information I did nothing prior to the surgery. Doc picked out the Coloplast and sized me. Length wise I am about one inch shorter than my younger days. I assume having no consistent erections for 13 years is the cause of that. As far as arousal, my libido hasn't changed, I still love sex. The big change is I have to spend 30-45 seconds inflating my penis, but it is reliable every time. And I am one of the many who say wish I had done it sooner. Pills and injections were the worst, forcing you to schedule sex. That is a libido killer.
Best of luck.

[Tuscan_Order]

4. How does the implant procedure compare with prostate surgery, in terms of discomfort and recovery time? I have been lucky— no incontinence following prostate surgery. My doc assures me the implant won’t mess that up. Has that been your experience?

My experience: Recovery from the implant was a breeze compared with the prostate surgery. No comparison at all. As for incontinence, it took me a few weeks to finally stop using the pads following prostate removal, and there was no change after getting the implant. Still dry.

[LGXDownunder]

Hello!

This is a great board; thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

My implant surgery is scheduled in a few weeks, and I'm starting to get kind of nervous. Is that par for the course?

Quick history: Prostate surgery, radiation and venous leak = unresponsive to pills and injections; vacuum pump is unsatisfactory. I want to reclaim my sex life — an implant is my only option. It’s the no-turning-back part and the product warnings that give me pause.

I’ve spent time on these boards comparing AMS and Coloplast and, frankly, can’t see a clear choice. My doctor says he’ll decide in the O.R. if I state no preference. Any advice here is welcome.

Welcome brother. Yes its normal to be nervous, worried, keen and excited all at the same time.
No venous leak or radiation but otherwise my own path has been similar to yours, although my prostate surgery side effects were terrible.
When considering the no turning back question I asked myself what were the alternatives and what did I have to lose?
In my case the answers were none and nothing. I had no erectile function whatsoever and it was never likely to return.
I'd tried all of the more conservative treatments and had exactly the same poor outcomes as you.
So the path to reclaiming my own sex life became an easy decision.

The implants do have different properties and it is worth considering how you might prioritize length, girth, hardness, stability when erect etc.
Your actual size may influence some of that but I think otherwise all IPPS are similar in the way they are constructed and operate. Any of them can work as long as you are sized correctly and implanted by an experienced and competent surgeon. If you don't have a preference I would be inclined to let your doc decide. If he offers multiple brands and models I suspect he will likely choose what he has had the most success with for guys with a similar anatomy to yours.

1. How long before your new equipment felt like “part of the furniture”? When did you forget about the reservoir in your abdomen?

I've never felt the reservoir in my abdomen. I actually had to ask my surgeon where he put it. The implant became part of the furniture once I had no significant discomfort during sex and could orgasm pretty much without fail. Probably around 6 months.

2. When were you able to resume light workouts? (Jogging, light weights, yoga, cross-country skiing, etc.)

I was cleared for most things at 6 weeks, in my case bike riding, hiking, long brisk walks, swimming. I started riding my bike at 8 weeks with no discomfort to speak of.

3. Doctors tell me that men have a really high satisfaction rate with implants — more than 90 percent. How many months until you felt “Wow! This was worth going through the surgery”?

More or less the same answer as 1. But I started to be "wowed" when I started cycling, got used to how the implant works and could see my pre ED size quickly returning.

4. How does the implant procedure compare with prostate surgery, in terms of discomfort and recovery time? I have been lucky— no incontinence following prostate surgery. My doc assures me the implant won’t mess that up. Has that been your experience?

The implant surgery was a breeze in comparison. I had minor incontinence for a day or two after the catheter came out the day following my implant surgery. But my prostatectomy experience with that was very different to yours, so YMMV. Below is an extract from another post I wrote about my prostate surgery experience.

"In my case the prostatectomy and side effects were very unpleasant.
Immediately after I felt like absolute crap for at least the first 24 hours, probably due to the extended period of anaesthesia.
I also had a catheter stuck in my urethra for the first 10 days attached to a bag, to collect urine. That was uncomfortable and unpleasant.
I had to keep emptying the bag, often during the night. So glad to have the catheter removed, but then significant incontinence plagued me for more than 18 months. I only got close to full relief from that after 2 1/2 years when I had Botox injected into the wall of my bladder.
And of course I had absolute zero erectile function immediately after surgery and it never returned, nor responded reliably to conservative treatments. Then I got my implant after putting up with a 24/7 100% limp dick for 3 years (and the implant has been a game changer).

I didn't really have much pain from the prostatectomy. After the catheter came out and everything settled down I can't say that I really felt any different. Just that things no longer worked properly. I was also aware that they remove the seminal vesicles as well as the prostate gland.
That didn't cause any discomfort either but it probably has caused me some psychological issues as I can no longer ejaculate.
You get used to having dry orgasms, and eventually they felt much the same as before, but I felt that it somehow reduced my masculinity to a degree.
Not that I was going to father any more kids at my age, but I just missed that ecstatic release of cum at the point of climax.
Now I'm finding that my implant has restored that sense of masculinity. I can be rock hard in seconds, stay hard indefinitely, have extended sex and orgasm pretty much 100% of the time. I only had tiredness early on after the surgery. Other than what I've mentioned, general health etc went back to normal fairly quickly."

For my implant surgery there was not much pain immediately post op and I never needed anything stronger than ibuprofen for pain during recovery. Ice during the first week or two helps. There was manageable pain during the first weeks of recovery but it pales into insignificance compared with the misery I went through with the prostate surgery side effects. My surgeon leaves his implant patients 30% erect for the first 6 weeks until he activates the implant and cycling starts. That was uncomfortable and awkward but I got through it.

5. Length: The doc says he’ll stretch me out on the operating table to size me up. That is troubling. Flaccid does not come close to erect in my case. (I have been using a pump to restore/maintain size since prostate surgery.) How did your doctor fit you out?

Many of us were "growers" pre implant, including me. I also had a big difference between flaccid and erect. In my opinion you are doing the right thing by using a VED to stretch everything pre op. I did the same once i discovered that I was losing size from atrophy due to the ED caused by the prostate surgery. Then I really ramped it up once I booked in for my implant, sometimes too aggressively, but it enabled my surgeon to implant the largest cylinders that my anatomy could accommodate. Now I'm back to pre ED size erect and a "shower" with an impressively large flaccid. Of course that also means there is now much less difference in size between flaccid and erect. My doc also measured me on the operating table. I have no idea of the actual procedure as I was under full anaesthesia, but we had discussed it beforehand and he knew what my objectives were in terms of recovering my pre ED size.

6. With an implant, arousal becomes mechanical, not organic. What psychological adjustments did you have to make? (The Coloplast warnings mention this.) Do you miss the spontaneity you once had?

Yes that's true, but I was already missing the spontaneity due to the ED symptoms and lack of any treatments that restored it. So it has actually become more spontaneous post implant but not the same as an organic natural erection. During sex and at other times I actually now get some natural engorgement from arousal (didn't happen pre implant). Just pumping up my implant will often trigger that, but at its best on the brink of orgasm when my glans and shaft suddenly become even harder and more inflated. So there is still some level of blood flow going on.