Support & Info Thread for Aussies

[Freedom]

G’day fellas,

I’m starting this thread specifically for us Aussie blokes who have had — or are considering — a penile implant. It can be tough finding local perspectives, so let’s use this space to connect, share our personal journeys, and support each other.

Whether you're just starting to research or living with an implant already, your input is valuable. Let’s talk about our experiences — good and bad — and help each other find skilled urologists here in Australia who really know their stuff.

Together, we can build a supportive little Aussie corner within the bigger FrankTalk community.

Thanks legends!

[Oz1958]

Good on ya for starting this thread.
I've been following Frank Talk for a while. Some useful opinions, and opinions are always valid, some very useful facts, and a few pieces of totally misleading misinformation.
But on an international site there is a lot that is just not relevant to the Aussie medical system.
So let the discussion begin.

[LGXDownunder]

I'll post separately about my own journey, but in my experience just a few thoughts about peripheral things to consider and research that may be Aussie-centric:

- Our medical and health insurance systems are very different to both the USA and UK. There is limited coverage from both Australian Government Medicare and private health insurance funds. Absurdly, Medicare considers a penile implant to be a cosmetic procedure. That said they do provide a small rebate and many private funds will cover the hospital and implant components, but usually only a very small part of the surgeon's fee. Anaethetists often bill separately and there is frequently an out of pocket cost. However the overall cost of implant surgery seems to be generally lower than other western countries.

- I don't know what options or selection criteria there are for getting a free implant through the public system. I suspect it would be similar to the NHS system in the UK but probably with much longer waiting lists (and I'm aware of UK patients who have been waiting for years).

- There appears to be a limited number of surgeons who perform implants in Australia, and even fewer who would be considered high volume by US standards. That's simply relative to our small population size of ~27 million. Please don't exclude experienced potential surgeons who implant regularly but do not meet international high volume levels if you can establish that they have a good track record of successful outcomes.

- If considering travelling internationally for implant surgery neither Medicare or your private medical insurance will cover any of it. Budget to pay every cent out of pocket.

- Pretty much every Aussie travel insurance policy that I've seen will not cover any event even vaguely related to medical tourism. If you must travel for your procedure try and find a specialist policy that will cover you. If something goes horribly wrong medical evacuation back to Australia can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. For current advice see https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/sun-sand-and-surgery.

[Freedom]

Good on ya for starting this thread.
I've been following Frank Talk for a while. Some useful opinions, and opinions are always valid, some very useful facts, and a few pieces of totally misleading misinformation.
But on an international site there is a lot that is just not relevant to the Aussie medical system.
So let the discussion begin.

Who are you deciding to get the surgey through?

[Oz1958]

I'm not keen to recommend my surgeon at this time, as his name has never been mentioned on Frank Talk and I think he flies under the radar. Maybe I can share after my operation and give a real review.

But I can say I consulted Dr Love in Melbourne and I am sure he would do a good job, but I went with the local urologist in Adelaide, who does about half the number as Love as part of a full urological practice. He does not advertise implants on his web site, only "reconstructive surgery"

For me, he is 30 minutes drive away instead of 8 hours and I like the fact that he brings a more diverse experience to the table.

If any one is in Adelaide I am happy to share the name if you PM me, for you to make your own informed decision, but not publishing or recommending at this point.

[drayan123]

Yes about time I was thinking the same thing glad you made this thread I’m planning to get my surgery from Chris love next year. 23 male Ed since 18 due to minoxidil and finesteride and got worst after jelqing done doplers and was later showed it there is venous leak.

[LGXDownunder]

Yes about time I was thinking the same thing glad you made this thread I’m planning to get my surgery from Chris love next year. 23 male Ed since 18 due to minoxidil and finesteride and got worst after jelqing done doplers and was later showed it there is venous leak.

From everything I've read or heard about Chris Love you should be good going with him.
He was on my short list but ultimately I went with my existing uro surgeon.
Best of luck with your procedure next year.

[LGXDownunder]

I'm not keen to recommend my surgeon at this time, as his name has never been mentioned on Frank Talk and I think he flies under the radar. Maybe I can share after my operation and give a real review.

But I can say I consulted Dr Love in Melbourne and I am sure he would do a good job, but I went with the local urologist in Adelaide, who does about half the number as Love as part of a full urological practice. He does not advertise implants on his web site, only "reconstructive surgery"

For me, he is 30 minutes drive away instead of 8 hours and I like the fact that he brings a more diverse experience to the table.

If any one is in Adelaide I am happy to share the name if you PM me, for you to make your own informed decision, but not publishing or recommending at this point.

I'm pretty much in the same camp. My surgeon does have implants listed on his web site as a special interest area but he's fairly low profile, although highly regarded by other uro's I've consulted. Similarly he has a very busy general urology practice on the outskirts of Sydney that he shares with a much older doctor (who doesn't do implants afaik). Every time I go in there my guy is usually running around like a blue arsed fly. It's also only a 15 minute drive from home and that played a part in my decision, although I was prepared to fly to Melbourne. While I did research other surgeons including Dr Chris Love, in the end I grilled my own uro to death about his experience and ability with implants. Last time I asked him about it he was doing 2 to 3 implants a month, and had done quite lot of them in his career. I also asked him in detail about things like infection rates and so on. I was satisfied with his answers and it became clear that he was keen to do my procedure and get me the outcome I wanted. I also already have an ongoing relationship with him as he had diagnosed my prostate cancer several years earlier, and ultimately performed my RRP in 2022. So I felt comfortable having him do the implant surgery. I'm also happy to share details by PM if requested.

[AussiePete]

Perth based here and happy to share my local experience. Implanted 2016.
Pete.

[Wodjathat]

Great initiative. I went with Dr Love. Totally comfortable with that decision.

But to put things in perspective I’m only 5 and a bit weeks into my journey. Just started the cycling process. Long way to go.

Sounds somewhat stupid because I am bit of an introvert and private person but I have documented my journey under the heading ‘Another Downunder gets done downunder’. To be honest, it perhaps is more for my benefit. Fair bit of waffle in it but it does describe the journey of what happens when you get an implant. But be warned, we all seem to have a similar goal but the paths we take seem varied.

My only advice to any fellow Aussies out there is pick your surgeon wisely. As to what implant you would prefer etc, in my opinion is a very secondary consideration.

Surgeons are a bit like cars. We will all have our preferences for lots of different reasons. Where you live and where they are based is just one factor. High volume surgeons that have good reputations are desirable for obvious reasons.

At the end of the day make sure you end up picking a Holden or a Ford, (something reliable), just make sure you don’t end up with a Leyland P76 (an absolute lemon but ironically is worth a lot of money now).

Choose wisely and best of luck to you with your journey.