Background
I always had very strong erections until my late 60s. Then I had some minor decline in quality but could still get and maintain erections good enough for PIV sex. On and off I started using low doses of Sildanefil/Viagra for a boost. But then I started having trouble peeing; restricted flow, getting up frequently at night to piss etc. Long story short in 2020 I was eventually diagnosed with low grade prostate cancer. No treatment required, just active surveillance/regular PSA tests/annual MRI. But after 12 months the MRI revealed a small amount of growth in the tumour, but enough to tip it into Gleason 7/medium risk category. My uro very strongly advised immediate surgery. A few weeks later after a nerve sparing Radical Robotic Prostatectomy I was notionally cancer free as it was wholly contained within the prostate. But now with 100% erectile dysfunction, very incontinent and without a prostate or seminal vesicles. So also both unable to ejaculate any longer and completely infertile. Grateful to be alive but the side effects were utterly soul destroying. Incontinence took over 2.5 years to pretty much resolve. Despite advice that I would likely eventually recover erectile function, it never happened. Never had any sign of recovery whatsoever and all conservative treatments were a failure for one reason or other. But I persisted with those treatments for 3 years before finally committing to an implant, once I accepted that I would never again have natural erections. I'm still very active physically and sexually, and I didn't see another option that would produce a satisfactory result.
Experience to date in summary
Implant surgery had minor a complication with removal of scar tissue caused by previous use of Trimix injections. Otherwise no issues. I had been using a VED aggressively in the lead up and my surgeon thought it likely helped implant the largest size cylinders possible. Post op I was left about 30% erect for the first 6 weeks until activation. My penis was visibly shorter than pre ED, by about 1 to 1.5 inches. I had been getting close to 7.5 inches inside the VED and girth was almost filling the tube, but I knew it was only artificial. I was only ever a bit over 6 inches, ~6.5 inches BPEL on a good day. I didn't panic about the apparent length loss as I'd been reading much on Franktalk and had been expecting a temporary loss. Fingers crossed at that stage that it would come back.
My recovery has seemed fairly typical of similar protocols and implant types based on what I've read of others' experience.
I had pain/discomfort early on but it was manageable and I didn't need strong painkillers. At one week post op I was able to attend a music concert by public transport over an hour each way, and also had to walk at least 15 minutes each way to/from the venue. Uncomfortable but nothing major and I still enjoyed it. The main sources of pain were the around penoscrotal incision, taint, cylinder tips/glans, and scrotum around the pump location. So around my junk in general I guess. Frustrating at times but never overwhelming. I applied ice on and off for the first 10 days or so. It helped to a degree but I then found hot showers gave more relief. I was worried about infected sutures in the first few weeks due to some weeping, but all was well.
Due to the 24/7 erection urination was a challenge until activation. Apart from pointing in the air I also was spraying to the sides every time I took a piss. Very quickly I bought a 1 litre wide mouthed water bottle and used it as a hand held urinal. That helped enormously and eliminated the bathroom mess. Sitting down was uncomfortable and I needed a cushion or other support under my balls when watching TV, driving etc. I didn't buy special underwear but simply used tight fitting but stretchy synthetic briefs and boxer briefs that I already owned. That and loose fitting outer clothing kept my upward positioned erection reasonably comfortable and well concealed when going out.
I was activated at 6 weeks by my surgeon deflating the implant, pumping it up himself, then getting me to try it under his supervision. Then I was cleared for sex, told to cycle twice a day for 15 minutes, and go and have fun! But there was no way I could have had sex at that point, far too painful still. We tried PIV sex at 8 weeks. It was very uncomfortable and I could barely manage without slipping out every few seconds. Not a great start and definitely a "WTF have I done?" moment. Things slowly got better from there but progress was not linear. Two steps forward, one step back seemed to be the norm. Eventually sex became fantastic again. I now orgasm pain free 100% of the time and I'm loving it! The limiting factor now is my cardio fitness, not the lack of a sustained erection. I've also found that I now have much more control and confidence sexually. I can usually delay climaxing until I feel like it, but still enjoy very intense pleasure until I'm ready to orgasm. I can't remember ever having that power. Even in my prime once I got to the brink of orgasm it was always a sudden rush and explosive ejaculation. Without a prostate gland etc unfortunately I can no longer ejaculate, but post implant I seem to have acquired other superpowers instead
.My pre ED erect length and girth eventually returned over a period of months. I've also been upgraded from a very average "grower" a "shower", now with an impressive flaccid hang. I even went to a nude beach for a swim a couple of months back to celebrate my new toy. But as size returned I also started to develop a bend to the right and upward when erect. Well I had always had bends in both those directions anyway, but they have now become more exaggerated. About 6 months ago diagnosed as post implant Peyronie's disease, caused by scar tissue/removal. Currently doing daily physio/bending to correct it but the timeframe is 24 to 36 months to hopefully see a result. Not a problem for sex and possibly an advantage in some ways, but cosmetically straighter would be nice. I've posted about this and further details of my recovery and experience many times in dozens of other posts, answering questions etc, so I won't repeat everything here. I have kept a journal of sorts here, and I'll tack this post onto the end of it:
My Australian Implant Story
My thoughts:
Pros
= Complete control of erections on demand 24/7.
= Easy and very fast to pump to a full erection.
= Very quick and easy to deflate.
= The pump is well positioned in my scrotum and the deflate button is easy to access.
= I'm able to adjust the hardness as desired. I actually now prefer it as hard as possible for sex.
= I suspect that I've reached limit of whatever growth I might get. But I still feel a lot of additional pressure when I continue to pump after what seems like the maximum possible. So I'm hoping that might indicate a mm or two still to go.
= The implant functions perfectly and doesn't move during vigorous/rough sex, despite the LGX often being considered less firm than most alternatives. I think I have a fairly deep crus and the implant is anchored very firmly as a result. I also have no RTEs which may add to the rigidity and stability.
Cons
= Post op Peyronie's bend. Although it's a double edged sword as it creates a kind of fake girth that is useful during sex.
= May need future revision/s depending on device longevity and how long I remain sexually active.
= Minor residual numbness at the base of my shaft just above the penoscrotal incision. It has never affected my ability to orgasm and has improved dramatically, to the point that most sensation has now returned.
Lessons
Hindsight is a wonderful teacher. I should have done it much sooner and not wasted a lot of time, money and frustration on things that didn't work.
Might have also avoided the bend I now have.
I really didn't think I would be enjoying sex this much again. It's the most fun I've ever had with my pants on, I mean off
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