Realistic expectations

[Underd0sed]

Hey guys, I’m new here.

I’ve been using Trimix for years. It worked well for a long time, but over time the results weakened and I started noticing some firmness and density changes in the shaft — probably fibrosis. After talking with my urologist and thinking it through, I decided to move forward with the implant. The surgery is scheduled before Christmas.

I’m not second-guessing the decision, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. My main concern is loss of size — both length and girth. I’ve read everything from “you’ll lose an inch” to “if you do proper cycling and stretching you maintain what you had.” But I’ve also read that stories of men who ended up with a micro penis.

What I’m hoping to hear from guys who’ve actually been through it:
1. How accurate were your pre-op measurements vs. your final functional size months after healing and cycling?
2. Any tips for preserving or regaining size during the healing and inflation phase.
3. Real talk about the first few weeks — pain, mobility, how the implant actually feels inside the shaft.
4. Anything you wish you had known before going in.

I’m not expecting miracles. I just want realistic expectations from men who’ve lived it, not generic clinic-speak.

Appreciate anyone willing to share their experience. It really helps to hear from people who’ve already walked this road.Also should I be nervous that I cannot find any reviews about my doctor online? I’m in Austin TX and my insurance only will cover in network and it’s a very narrow selection to choose from. Anyone ever heard of Dr. Lawrence Tsai in Austin Tx?

[ElbowRoom]

Hey there Under...

I just had my surgery 20 days ago. I would say that there are two primary factors affecting your results from an IPP surgery:

1) Surgeon Skill

2) Following Post-Op Instructions

You need a surgeon that does more than 5 implants a year, you need a depth of experience than comes from repetition and seeing lots of variation. That's why you see people on this site hammering "choose a high volume surgeon". It doesn't mean they can't make mistakes or have complications, but the chances go down significantly.

Also you need to follow your surgeon's instructions. They know how the healing process progresses and following instructions means you stay on the correct healing path.

You're not going to end up with a micropenis unless you already had significant underlying issues, or your surgeon totally fucks something up.

For size, I started at 8.5" and I was at 8" from the very first time I cycled. I might gain the remainder back, but maybe not. I'm cool either way. It's usually a pretty good trade to give up a tiny bit of length to get a rock hard dick on demand for as long as you want to stay hard. That said, *most* guys get their original length back within 6-12 months if they cycle aggressively.

Yes it hurts. You'll have all sorts of pains, from the surgery, from cycling. For a few weeks you'll be in pain on-and-off, and cycling pain will last for months. But in the end you get something you've never had before...a dick that never lets you down. The pain just builds a little character along the way.

[Old Guy]

Welcome. Nervous is expected. It's a difficult decision, and a surgery many guys don't even want to think about.
Many recommend using a vacuum pump to stretch the penis before implant, ask your urologist for advice on that. Afterwards is the key most say, cycling to regain size. Cycling is inflating the implant a couple times a day.
I have lost size if comparing it to my youthful days, but that may be caused from having ED for so many years before getting the implant. No erections for long periods of time can lead to tissue shrinkage. I also did not cycle since it was not something I was instructed to do, and I had not found Frank Talk to learn I should be doing it. Not sure if cycling my first few months would have made any change. At 5 months post (when I found FT) cycling 2X a day for 30 minutes gained me less than 1/8 inch after 3 months. At that I gave up. Still happy with what I got.
I slept most of the first three days on the couch. Then the pain kicked in, the meds made me nauseous and didn't do much for the pain. Upped pain med to Percocet and all was good after a few days.
There are websites to search for doctors, reviews about them, experience etc. My thought is a doc close to home for follow ups or if anything goes sideways.
Best of luck.

[GoodWood]

Welcome to FrankTalk. I hope you find the support and information you need here. I have found it invaluable on my journey through all of this stuff.

I searched the implant section and general section for “Tsai” and no posts were found so it doesn’t seem like he has been mentioned here before. But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t get a great result with him.

If you haven’t already done so, call the office of Dr Jonathan Clavell in Houston and ask them if he is in network on your insurance plan. If by chance he is, have a consultation with him. He is a high volume implant surgeon with an excellent reputation.

The best thing you can do to maintain size is to use a VED everyday until your surgery. I used one for about 15 minutes every morning as I was getting showered and ready for the day. I used the cheapest one I could buy on Amazon or eBay (around $15) so I didn’t care if it eventually got ruined by exposure to water in the shower. But that way I was consistent. Not high high pressure either. Just a strong stretch that felt slightly uncomfortable, but not painful.

There were ruler marks on the tube and I was able to see that my length in the VED tube increased with use. Not beyond what I would have had in my youth, but definitely helped me regain length I had lost to ED.

I took measurements preop and have taken them about once a month post op. I regained all my length. I had a very thick girth and lost a bit of that but had been told that would be the case. If you are larger than average girth you will likely lose a little bit of girth. But if your girth is average or slimmer you likely won’t.

If you are larger than average girth and concerned about keeping it, the Coloplast Titan has the largest girth. The AMS CX is close. The AMS LGX has a very slightly narrower girth.

But your surgeon will be able to guide you, recommending the device they think is most appropriate for your anatomy.

I kept a journal post throughout my implant process that I have updated from time to time. You can find the link in my signature block below. Feel free to PM any questions you have about it.