Tests to do before deciding to commit to an implant?

[JH1982]

Thanks for you reply. I will definitely look into it.

Can i ask why do you say that finding a surgeon to do the implant properly is going to be difficult?

Secondly, i was looking into the physical tests.

The injection test might not be for me as it is done with the injection of Alprostadil that might carry a small risk for the eye in predisposed patients.

Has anyone done the nocturnal erection test or the ultrasound?

And would you recommend this tests guys?

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for you reply. I will definitely look into it.

Can i ask why do you say that finding a surgeon to do the implant properly is going to be difficult?

You are welcome. (I am assuming you are responding to my post.)

I spent 14 months lining up a surgeon. I will confess that I set my standards VERY high.

I was first recommended a local surgeon and interviewed him and one other. Was not enthusiastic about either. So, I started investigating Dr Kramer and Dr Eid (along with continuing extensive research of medical journals and FrankTalk posts) and trying to get authorization from my main medical care provider (U.S. Veteran's Administration) for the surgery and travel (from Alaska). V.A. sent me to Seattle to interview their surgeon there. He was on leave at the time and I was not satisfied with the answers from the Resident on Urological Surgery rotation. Then Dr Shaw (recently assigned to the local military hospital in my town) who was an expert in the field (had even taught the procedure). I interviewed him and was immediately impressed and scheduled surgery as soon as I could.

There is no substitute for judgement. Where does one get good judgement? From making mistakes. So, I suggest not being the patient for a surgeon to gain good judgement. A surgeon can get good judgement from his own mistakes or from studying under and assisting a surgeon with good judgement (minimizes bad outcomes as the mentoring surgeon can correct the apprentice's mistakes BEFORE they are made or made permanent.

Interview your candidate surgeons closely and use your own judgement. Hopefully you have made enough low consequence mistakes that you yourself have good judgement.

[Gt1956]

Thanks for you reply. I will definitely look into it.
Can i ask why do you say that finding a surgeon to do the implant properly is going to be difficult?
Secondly, i was looking into the physical tests.
The injection test might not be for me as it is done with the injection of Alprostadil that might carry a small risk for the eye in predisposed patients.
Has anyone done the nocturnal erection test or the ultrasound?
And would you recommend this tests guys?

Lost sheeps advice is good. Why would you want to be an early test patient for a new surgeon?
If you're talking about an erection induced on the operating room table. To the best of my knowledge that is done with saline. No need to use a drug for a temporary erection & deal with the drug effects in the penis during surgery.
Best action is to bring all your medical issues to the attention of your surgeon & his staff.

[Lost Sheep]

(edited for focus)
Best action is to bring all your medical issues to the attention of your surgeon & his staff.

Absolutely yes. The more your surgeon knows about your state of health, the better your treatment can be tailored to you. The last thing you want is for your surgeon to be surprized.

[JH1982]

I spent 14 months lining up a surgeon. I will confess that I set my standards VERY high.

Can i ask you why it took so long?

Was it becuase you didn't find the surgeon you felt comfortable with for a while or the waiting list of the chosen surgeon was ridicoulously long?

i would assume that one of the reasons for doing it privately is not to deal with the very long waiting lists of the national health service

[Lost Sheep]

I spent 14 months lining up a surgeon. I will confess that I set my standards VERY high.

Can i ask you why it took so long?

Was it becuase you didn't find the surgeon you felt comfortable with for a while or the waiting list of the chosen surgeon was ridicoulously long?

i would assume that one of the reasons for doing it privately is not to deal with the very long waiting lists of the national health service

As I said, I set my standards high. I interviewed 6 surgeons, spend time lining up authorization to go from U.S. West Coast to the East Coast (that took the most time). At the last minute Dr Shaw figuratively and (almost) literally fell into my lap. I lost no time scheduling my operation with him.

I was not involved with the British NHS. It was the U.S. Veteran's Administration. So, while they would have authorized (and paid for) a private practice surgeon, I finally did go through the V.A. and a cooperating military hospital for the surgery.

[Gt1956]

JH1982, the USA doesn't actually have a national health seevice like the NHS. If you're 65 or older then you have Medicare. It seems to cover implants quite well. For the poor or disabled there is Medicaid. It is a very basic healthcare system. I doubt that they cover any penile implants.
I'll leave open the chance that Medicare might cover less of the costs in some areas of the USA. I've noticed that some members have reported different co-pays with Medicare. Seems most are free or very low co-pays. I think that I've seen some quote paying up to $2,000usd.
LostSheep is a retired military member. His healthcare is covered by the Veterans Administration. As such he has to comply with their rules.
Here, its your choice to decide what type of healthcare you want. You are completely free to go without coverage. I was able to continue my health insurance from my employer after I retired at 63. When I turned 65 I joined Medicare, it costs about $170 a month. But it covers less than what my old policy did. So I bought a supplemental policy that should bring me up to close to my old insurance. My old insurance would cost $650 a month in 2023. My Medicare & the supplement only add up to about $300 a month. I figure that for the $300+ that I save per month that I can cover any co-pays that come up.
Now here is perhaps the biggest difference. My retirement income is taxed at what is considered by my European cousin's at a fantastically low rate. A cousin told me that some his money, I presume his income in the top bracket is taxed at 70%. When I was working I think that my top bracket was 28%.

[AmansinCali]

JH1982,

I am glad you are avoiding oral ED medications since you have had your share of eye problems. I am blind in one eye having had an Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (AION), which two neurologists, two ophthalmologists and my internist agree could be from my use of oral ED medications. All say I should never take them again or I would risk losing vision in my other eye, it is not worth the risk.

In my opinion, you are the best judge of whether you need an implant or not. You have had sex with several hundred women...maybe you just wore your dick out...so, I think you know how your dick is supposed to work, what it was like in your prime and how it works now. Basically, if you want to continue to have sex you have to have some kind of aid. My doctors felt I was safe to use tri-mix because it is administered locally and does not enter your system the way oral medications do; however, tri-mix is not real convenient in the casual environment you live in.

As others have pointed out, a lot of the tests are due to the insurance companies' requirements, but don't have much to do with improving your situation. They give the insurance companies' an out or at least a delay in covering your surgery.

I didn't have any of the tests you mentioned, my doctor knew at my age, my restricted use of oral medications and the injections had become unreliable, there were no other option if I wanted to continue to have sex.

Once I said, "Let's do it" I had no second thoughts at all and for me I have no regrets whatsoever. My wife says, "It is perfect, I can't tell the difference."

At your age you will probably have to have a revision or two, but in the mean time you will be fucking your brains out and who knows, they might have better implants by then.

If I was in your situation, I know what I would do.

[AmansinCali]

For all the young, single guys reading this, do yourself a favor and read Minnesota#2's journal, he is 27 years old and went through the ups and downs of his decision and his surgery. He went from a limp dick to a stud, you will learn a lot.

Minnesota#2 is 50 years younger than I am and we had our surgery on the same day, our recoveries were nearly identical.

Read this thread, search in Implants:
IMPLANT JOURNEY - TITAN - 27 years old - Surgery 9/20/2022