Infection - My Story

[Grad777]

Sorry Courage I just read your signature line and saw that you did. What type of infection did you have ?

It was mssa, a type of staph infection.

Yes these infections are no joke

[Kodixx]

Courage, so sorry to hear about what you've been thru. Best wishes for a better path forward.

- Chuck

[Grad777]

Just wanted to give an update. Removed catheter and drain today. Overall the bruising and swelling is not bad at all. I suspect the swelling may increase some as I just removed the drain. Doc said it was ok to remove because I was under 20 mL per day.
Now for the hard part. I had mentally prepared before I took the bandages off at what I was going to see. Something quite different from my first two implants and not in a good way. That was in fact the case. In reality the total implanted cylinder length is 5 cm shorter now but visually it looks about 2.5 to 3 inches shorter. After surgery they left me 50 percent erect. Keep in mind I now also have the Narrow Based Titan model and my girth is also diminished. However it doesn’t appear as shocking as the length.
I told Dr. Brady I was extremely disappointed with the reduced size and I was not handling this well. He said to just give it time. I don’t in any way fault him. He is a great surgeon and very competent doctor. I wish there was a different path forward but I can’t see it now. I mean on one hand I am thankful to hopefully have a working penis but yet I now I can’t even begin to imagine having passionate enjoyable sex with my wife again. I hate this for her as also. I haven’t came close to truly opening up to her. I mean I told her the measurements and that it was not good. I’m not a super emotional guy and but this is rough.
Sorry to ramble on guys but wanted to give an update. That said if you do have ED don’t let my story prevent you with moving forward with an implant. I was extremely fortunate to have an amazing 8 year run. As I said I can’t see a good path forward from here but i hope
and pray things will improve.

[principles]

How was your length prior to this surgery with the VED?

I had the exact same feeling when I uncovered my Tactra right after the salvage. It was the only time I recall being emotionally charged (angry) speaking to the surgeon. The size difference was remarkable as well.

Initially, to be honest, it was quite devastating. Eventually, months passed, I started using the ring, was still shorter than before, didn’t have the same axial rigidity, but it wasn’t terrible. Three months after the salvage, I was already starting a new relationship with a great gal, and I was happy and content.

Be patient now, healing will take some time. Try all the things we’ve discussed here. I’m positive you’ll feel a lot different (for the better) a couple months from now.

[principles]

Well that is good to know there is something that will help. I will keep you posted on how things progress. Thanks for all the help. I’m going to have the catheter and drain removed tomorrow.

I forgot to add that he placed the implant through a transverse penoscrotal incision but placed the reservoir through a separate counter incision in the “lower left quadrant posterior to the rectus muscle “

I’m not sure why he had to do that. On my previous 2 surgeries he did everything through a single incision.

I also had a counter incision. The placement of the new reservoir was much better than the one initially installed through the PS incision. I had trouble running with the first reservoir, it actually hurt after the first km’s. With the latter one, installed through the abdomen, I had zero issues. Much more comfortable, never even noticed it. Aesthetically, there’s a scar now, which, when asked about, I mention it was from a hernia surgery.

[ElbowRoom]

Hey Grad. I know this is devastating. I think we all feel that "what have I done" moment of panic following surgery, and in your case it's probably even more emotional and hard to take given all you've already endured.

I'm not going to blow rainbows at you, but I think the other advice in this thread is sound. You have to give it time. At this point in your healing you really don't have an idea of what you'll look like when healed. I'm hopeful if you are diligent in cycling, doing Perito/Helicopter exercises, and even using a VED once the surgical site is healed, you might find that that 2-3 inches of loss might be reduced to one inch or even less.

I think the largest determinants of good healing are a positive outlook and diligent post-operative care. Do all the things you can, try to let go of things you can't control, and however it all turns out your brothers will be here for you to help you through it in any way we can.

[principles]

Hey Grad. I know this is devastating. I think we all feel that "what have I done" moment of panic following surgery, and in your case it's probably even more emotional and hard to take given all you've already endured.

I'm not going to blow rainbows at you, but I think the other advice in this thread is sound. You have to give it time. At this point in your healing you really don't have an idea of what you'll look like when healed. I'm hopeful if you are diligent in cycling, doing Perito/Helicopter exercises, and even using a VED once the surgical site is healed, you might find that that 2-3 inches of loss might be reduced to one inch or even less.

I think the largest determinants of good healing are a positive outlook and diligent post-operative care. Do all the things you can, try to let go of things you can't control, and however it all turns out your brothers will be here for you to help you through it in any way we can.

Very well said!

[Grad777]

How was your length prior to this surgery with the VED?

I had the exact same feeling when I uncovered my Tactra right after the salvage. It was the only time I recall being emotionally charged (angry) speaking to the surgeon. The size difference was remarkable as well.

Initially, to be honest, it was quite devastating. Eventually, months passed, I started using the ring, was still shorter than before, didn’t have the same axial rigidity, but it wasn’t terrible. Three months after the salvage, I was already starting a new relationship with a great gal, and I was happy and content.

Be patient now, healing will take some time. Try all the things we’ve discussed here. I’m positive you’ll feel a lot different (for the better) a couple months from now.

Thank you so much. That’s an excellent question. I know that before my second revision last November (the one that resulted in infection) I was at least 7-1/2 but no more than 7-3/4 after 15 minutes of VED stretching protocol. However, just before last Friday’s surgery I was about 1 or 1-1/2 inches shorter. This one I never actually put a tape measure to because it was depressing but I will tomorrow. I have both sets marked on my VED with a black sharpie. I will check that and post it.

Yes I have been having a tremendous range of emotions, none being positive. That being said today I went back to work and that helped. It reminded me that life goes on. I have been blessed to have an extremely encouraging and supportive wife that said “not to diminish the importance of your feelings regarding the end result, but it will be way less important to me than to you”.

[Grad777]

Hey Grad. I know this is devastating. I think we all feel that "what have I done" moment of panic following surgery, and in your case it's probably even more emotional and hard to take given all you've already endured.

I'm not going to blow rainbows at you, but I think the other advice in this thread is sound. You have to give it time. At this point in your healing you really don't have an idea of what you'll look like when healed. I'm hopeful if you are diligent in cycling, doing Perito/Helicopter exercises, and even using a VED once the surgical site is healed, you might find that that 2-3 inches of loss might be reduced to one inch or even less.

I think the largest determinants of good healing are a positive outlook and diligent post-operative care. Do all the things you can, try to let go of things you can't control, and however it all turns out your brothers will be here for you to help you through it in any way we can.

That helps a lot. Any post op protocols would be appreciated. I would like to compare my surgeons with others. Also if anyone could describe or send me a link of the perito excercises also. Thanks guys !

[ElbowRoom]

That helps a lot. Any post op protocols would be appreciated. I would like to compare my surgeons with others. Also if anyone could describe or send me a link of the perito excercises also. Thanks guys !

Ugh, you asked me for my post-op instructions and I spaced out on that. I just PM'ed them to you. Sorry for the delay.