The Hidden Timeline of Penile Implant Failure: How long did you wait for your revision surgery?

[junk098]

When we talk about a penile implant failing or experiencing a mechanical breakdown (like a fluid leak, pump failure, or broken cylinder), the conversation usually centers on the surgery itself. But for those who have lived through it, we know the real challenge often starts long before you ever make it to the operating room.

Unless an implant failure involves a medical emergency like an active infection, navigating the healthcare system takes a massive amount of time. From what I’ve seen, the "downtime" between an implant breaking and actually getting a revision surgery scheduled looks something like this:

Phase 1: Waiting just to get an initial evaluation appointment with a specialized urologist or prosthetic urology expert (~6 weeks).

Phase 2: Going through necessary diagnostic checks, waiting on insurance authorizations, and securing a slot on a busy surgeon's operating calendar (Another ~6 weeks).

That adds up to a total of 12 weeks—or roughly 3 full months—of living with a broken device and being completely sidelined while you wait for relief.

I’m putting this out to the community because I want to know what the reality on the ground looks like for guys going through this today.

For those of you who have gone through a revision surgery:
What was your actual timeline? From the moment you realized your implant had experienced a mechanical failure to the day of your revision surgery, how many weeks or months did you wait?

What was the biggest bottleneck? Was it getting the initial appointment with the urologist, or just trying to get on the surgical calendar?

How did you handle the wait? What are your best tips for managing the physical discomfort, the mental frustration, and the impact on your relationship while sitting in medical limbo?

Drop your experiences, your timelines, and your general location in the comments below. Let's map out what patients are actually facing so others know what to expect.

[ready2go]

Unfortunately, this period isn't highlighted enough. If it's frustrating for a Medicare-retired grandpa, then it's certainly horrifying, perhaps even to suicidal levels, for a young or middle-aged man with a job that requires his full focus, kids to feed, and a naturally demanding young/middle aged wife.

This period is no joke. It takes lives, and it should be the most discussed and advocated topic on this cuckoo's nest site. Not to mention the financial hurdles faced by the uninsured. And if it's coupled with an infection, it becomes a situation that I wouldn't wish even on the most disgusting ass-kissing boomer around here.

Thanks for the post!

you havent been banned yet.......again ? that needs to happen soon

[wilsonmill]

Mine failed 1 week after retirement, talk about stress... Anyway I had an appointment the week after it happened at my original surgeons office, said it needed a replacement and he could fit me in about 5-6 months. That was not what I wanted to hear, found another surgeon the same week, we scheduled for 2 months out and in the mean time had a couple more visits with him to feel him out better, I went with him and glad I did. It took about 3 months total from the day it failed to the day of the revision. Hope this one holds me out.

[rdnkbiker]

I think it took my doc around 3 months to get me scheduled for revision surgery had me using a ved to keep things stretched out all turned out good...think just keep up with VED and wont change anything

[PowerliftingDad]

When I called my Urologist....I had an appointment the next week. Came in and after my visit I had my blood drawn at the office. I was setup then and there for revision surgery a couple weeks later. Insurance approval was sought and granted with my surgery already scheduled.
The recovery was incredibly fast.
At some point your implant is going to malfunction.
You'll get it replaced....with a much smoother and faster recovery...and even the likelihood of a larger implant.
Don't let fear of a short delay keep you from living your best life.

[lasthope2.0]

Most delays and bureaucracies occur in a socialized healthcare system, a giant hospital system, or a large university hospital.

High-volume privately owned independent practices are often eager to schedule a revision surgery ASAP, often with a big smile, as they are eager to earn our business. In my case, I was able to have an elective revision within a 4-week timeframe from my first phone call for a diagnostic virtual consult.

Plans that require prior authorizations can take up to 6 weeks.

Coverage is still subject to the plan’s fine print. My provider has had a negative experience overall with Aetna/Cigna or certain plans that come with employer-specific exclusions for sexual dysfunction treatments.

Traveling overseas to high-volume centers can be a cost-saving option, especially with lifetime device warranties in some nations. However, if the prosthesis gets infected, we’ll need to make two more overseas trips: one for removal/salvage and another for replacement. These additional trips can still add up to significant costs, including flight and hotel expenses.

Regarding the stressors related to malfunctions, infections, and downtime, it’s part of the prosthetic lifestyle and I don’t think there’s a way around it, other than keeping a well-informed positive attitude and hoping for the best!

[QuestionGuy]

I just did a revision in February, and my life cycle was similar to what others have described.... but the biggest aspect of the experience (not being mentioned here) is that the initial surgery is a well thought out, and very a carefully choreographed major life event. It happens on YOUR timeline. The failure happens "when it happens"..... and then you're scrambling. That's the bit I never considered when I got the implant. I knew failures occured....but I secretly hoped my implant would be "one and done" . I never considered that the revision would hit me like a bolt out of the blue. I don't really know if this perspective is helpful to a man considering the implant or not.

[edjohn]

I have only had mine for 9 months but I am planning to knock out consultations the next chance I get so there is no delay and I can just call them up the day I know I need it and get in the list for cancellations.

[Hrc714]

Between finding a new doctor (Kramer had left the area), scheduling appointments, then scheduling surgery, it was just over 4 months. Not being able to inflate during that time, I developed a bit of atrophy. When the surgeon measured me for the replacement, she determined the original implant was too large and opted for a smaller unit. My understanding is they usually up size on replacement. This left me 1” shorter with the new implant. I started with a lot of length so not a huge deal, but I kind of miss the big fellow.

[Flounder]

My revision wasn’t for a mechanical failure. It was to correct a malpositioned and slightly undersized implant that was causing increasing discomfort and impending distal erosion. The implant was still functional, so I wasn’t without a working device, but using it was becoming painful and I knew the problem would eventually have to be addressed.

I had decided, for several reasons, that I wasn’t going back to my original surgeon. Over a period of months I researched potential surgeons and revisions for similar problems I was experiencing. I procrastinated longer than I should have, But I already had a short list of potential surgeons compiled for the day I decided to take action.

Phase 1: One day I woke up and the discomfort became particularly noticeable. I decided this is the day to move forward. I called three highly regarded prosthetic urologists in the greater Philadelphia area. All were Coloplast Centers of Excellence and all listed implant revisions and/or penile reconstruction with prosthesis as areas of expertise. I was able to schedule in-office consultations with all three that morning. The wait times ranging from 2½ to 4 weeks.

Phase 2: I was extremely impressed during my first consultation. Everything felt right and I had a gut feeling this was the surgeon I wanted. I committed and called his surgical coordinator into the room and said, “Let’s get this gentleman on my schedule as soon as possible.”

She immediately began arranging everything. Knowing the MRI would likely have the longest lead time, she scheduled that first and then built all of the remaining pre-op testing around it. Before I left the office, every pre-op appointment, the surgery itself, and my post-op follow-ups were scheduled. I went home with a complete printed itinerary. The insurance pre-authorization was obtained by his office the following business day.

My surgery was scheduled just 26 days after that consultation. I canceled the other two consultations without any regrets. From the day I decided to seek treatment until surgery was about six weeks total—roughly half of the timeline suggested in the original post.

Of course, everyone’s experience will vary depending on surgeon availability, insurance, location, and whether the situation is urgent. But in my case, I don’t believe a mechanical failure would have resulted in any different time line.

I will add that recovery from my revision as been much easier than my original implant surgery. The discomfort is gone, the implant is properly positioned, and I even regained some length in the process. Overall, I’m very pleased with the outcome. My only regret, I didn’t act on it sooner.

Just sharing my personal experience. YMMV