lasthope2.0 wrote:TenDan wrote:I saw my doctor today. He told me this bulge is normal and that it will go down over time. I've been dealing with penile implants for many years, and I honestly don't believe that's the case.
I'll send a photo of the reservoir bulge. I'll also send a photo showing where my pump is located. It is sitting where my left testicle should be, pushing the testicle backward. I'm quite sure this is not the correct position either.
There is another issue that concerns me. I asked him about what feels like parts of the old implant still inside my scrotum. He told me that what I am feeling is not the old pump itself, but rather the capsule (scar tissue) that formed around the previous pump. He also said that the extra tubes I can feel in the scrotum are the tubing that used to connect to the reservoir from the previous implant, which was left behind in the Space of Retzius.
This explanation left me very confused. My understanding was that, if an old reservoir is left in the Space of Retzius, it should be left there by itself, without long pieces of tubing remaining palpable in the scrotum.
Does anyone have experience with this situation? Is it common to leave old tubing behind when a reservoir is retained, or should the tubing normally be removed and only the reservoir left in place? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
https://youtu.be/M0bds4tIBwY?si=DXK2jcFGOi19D-0g
Around 1:35, the surgeon in the above revision video also executes a 'drain and retain' strategy for the old reservoir. He seems to use an electrocautery to cut the tubing connected to the old reservoir as deeply/safely as possible. Of course, every surgery and anatomy is different, but this is just one example.
I hope your reservoir and tubing get less palpable as new capsules form around them.
Thanks!
