Tube swelling and pain when cycling

[Underd0sed]

Looking for input: tubing swelling/pressure even after deflation + early expansion plateau

I’m about 5–6 weeks post-op with an AMS CX, placed infrapubically.

What’s concerning me is localized swelling and pressure along the tubing near the infrapubic incision, not the cylinders themselves. When I inflate past a few pumps, instead of continued penile expansion, it feels like pressure is building in the tube above the penis, right under the surgical scar. The area visibly bulges and becomes painful.

Even more confusing:
• This pressure and soreness sometimes persists even after I fully deflate
• It doesn’t feel like normal post-cycling ache or corporal stretch
• The penis itself seems to plateau in expansion after just a few pumps, even though the bulb is still compressible

Additional issue that may be related:
• The glans/cylinder tips feel uneven, with the left side noticeably lower than the right, and when fully inflated the erection tends to angle slightly rather than staying straight

Other relevant details:
• The pump bulb feels tethered / rides high and doesn’t feel very mobile yet
• When this happens, I don’t always feel strong pressure in the cylinders themselves
• Pain is specifically at/near the infrapubic incision line, where the tubing runs, not deep pelvic pain or scrotal pain

I’ve been told it could be normal healing or tubing positioning, but the combination of visible tube swelling, pain/pressure that doesn’t immediately resolve after deflation, early expansion plateau, and uneven tips doesn’t feel right to me.

Questions for those further along or who’ve dealt with complications:
• Has anyone experienced tubing swelling or pressure at the infrapubic incision, even after deflating?
• Can tethered pump or tubing kinks cause pressure to divert into the tubing instead of the cylinders?
• Has anyone had uneven cylinder tips early on, and did it resolve with healing/cycling or require intervention?
• At this stage, should cycling still feel like gradual stretch, or is an early plateau a red flag?

I’m not looking to panic I’m just trying to understand whether this falls within normal healing or if it’s something that warrants closer evaluation or a second opinion.

Appreciate any firsthand experience or insight.

[Kodixx]

Underd0sed, congrats on getting thru the procedure and early recovery -- welcome to the bionic brotherhood !
Sorry that you're experiencing this concern and difference in expectations. My procedure was penoscrotal so I can't compare your results first hand. However, feeling pressure at the incision when cycling isn't something I've heard described before, and the sensation of pressure building in the tubing vs cylinders isn't familiar either. I have heard that location of tips, or seating of tips, sometimes resolves during the healing process. Has your Dr observed either of these issues during your follow-up visit(s) ? Regarding the pump, I learned that the pump has limited mobility due to being placed in the "Dartos pouch", described below. However in my case, I also experienced adhesion due to delayed start of cycling -- almost 8 weeks.

AI Overview
In penile implant surgery, specifically with three-piece inflatable prostheses, the Dartos pouch plays a crucial role in placing the implant components. A Dartos pouch is created within the scrotum, providing a pocket for the pump component of the implant. This placement helps to fix the pump in place, minimizing the chance of it "riding up". Here's a more detailed explanation.
Dartos fascia and pouch creation:
The Dartos fascia is a layer of tissue covering the scrotum. During surgery, a pocket or pouch is created within the Dartos fascia to house the pump.
Benefits of Dartos pouch placement:
Pump Fixation: The pouch helps to secure the pump within the scrotum, preventing it from shifting or migrating.
Tubing Concealment: By placing the pump and tubing within the Dartos pouch, they are better concealed, reducing the chance of them being palpable or visible.
Reduced Infection Risk: Burying the tubing beneath the Dartos fascia can minimize the risk of infection.

- Chuck

When I inflate past a few pumps, instead of continued penile expansion, it feels like pressure is building in the tube above the penis, right under the surgical scar. The area visibly bulges and becomes painful. This pressure and soreness sometimes persists even after I fully deflate. The glans/cylinder tips feel uneven, with the left side noticeably lower than the right, and when fully inflated the erection tends to angle slightly rather than staying straight. The pump bulb feels tethered / rides high and doesn’t feel very mobile yet.

[Underd0sed]

I brought up the uneven tips with my surgeon. He said it is due to pre-existing scarring from injections and told me to keep cycling. The problem is that it does not feel like that at all, and it does not feel the way cycling felt earlier on. Something has clearly changed.

What has been most frustrating is that appointments feel rushed. My questions and concerns do not really get addressed, and I leave without feeling reassured or properly evaluated.

Because of this, my PCP gave me a referral for a second opinion with a well-known, higher-volume implant surgeon. When I called, I was told they would not see me because I am already post-op with another surgeon, not even for a second-opinion consultation. The receptionist was blunt and dismissive.

So I am trying to understand where this leaves me. If you have concerns after surgery and your surgeon minimizes them, but other surgeons refuse to even evaluate you, are you essentially stuck? Are we just expected to accept reassurance without examination and hope for the best?

I am not looking to assign blame. I am looking for perspective from people who have been through this and know what is reasonable to expect at this stage.