Implant install Friday
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:39 pm
Glad to officially belong here. Been a lurker for nearly two-years.
My story (long post sorry)
:
In 2017 at the age of 50 I was diagnosed with rectal and colon cancer due to a very rare DNA (MUTYH-associated polyposis) mutation after a colonoscopy. I had more than 100 polyps in my colon and a large mass in my rectum. The treatment was 5 ½ weeks of radiation followed by 12-hours of surgery during which I had my colon/rectum removed, a permanent ileostomy created and finally six-months of chemotherapy. During the surgical process I had to have muscles cut from stomach to sew up my backside creating a VM flap to cover the void from the rectum removal. Unfortunately during this process they had to move into my pelvis where the nerve bundles enabling an erection were cut (similar to pancreatic cancer survivors I am guessing).
The good news: All the outcomes were positive. There were no complications and everything that was done for the cancer treatments healed nicely and properly.
The bad news: There is no possible way to get a normal erection now. I knew this outcome was possible (although NOT common). Before I even started radiation I researched all of the ED treatment options, not knowing if I would be dealing with it or not. Part of that research led me to this site (thank goodness). I never had any ED problems or issues before this. I was hoping that over time the damage would heal, or my “junk” would come back to life once the shock from the surgery was past. Unfortunately, no such luck. Reviewing my last CT Scan confirmed this. Notes said, “Several snips in the pelvis” UGH.
Long story short, when I realized that I was having ED problems, I did get a referral to Urology. It was aided by my plastics surgeon who greased the skids and told the Uro reconstruction doc what had happened.
Just to keep it copacetic, I tried all of the pills to see if anything would happen. Nope. I definitely wasn’t interested in injections. Was willing to try the suppositories, but when I found out they had to be refrigerated I declined. Finally was supplied a VED to use. It worked OK, but I wanted to get back to as normal a love-life as possible. I figured the implant was really the best way to go. The first reconstruction doc I talked to did not really boost my confidence. Due to the surgery and my other complicated issues, it was obvious he just didn’t have the experience to handle me. I waited a few months then found someone else with much, much more experience (UCSD doc working with the VA). Finally going to have an AMS LGX implant installed on Friday.
My takeaways from reading this forum for a couple of years are as follows:
1. After surgery there will be PAIN. That’s OK as I have a very high pain threshold. Ex-Soldier, former rugby player/motorcycle roadracer here so I have been dealt more than my fair share of injuries and massive pain. I live with a broken back every day and still manage to do cardio and weight workouts six-days a week. I’ll just deal with it and move on.
2. Once healed, patience is key to cycling and working with the unit to help restore length and girth. Since this operation I have had to develop patience I never knew I had. Already had to do VED therapy every single day for more than a year. Too easy. Will hope the install goes smoothly and that the unit doesn’t have any issues.
3. I will be “banging like a porn star” in a few months after things heal up and I get used to using the new device. That’s good as I have a gorgeous and very understanding fiancée and we can’t wait to try it out. Regardless of the “size” outcome, anything is better than this dead dog I have now.
4. I am glad to see that most of you are very happy and satisfied with your implants. That is what helped make this decision much easier.
I’ll probably have more questions as I move through this process.
Will fill out sig block later
- R
My story (long post sorry)
:In 2017 at the age of 50 I was diagnosed with rectal and colon cancer due to a very rare DNA (MUTYH-associated polyposis) mutation after a colonoscopy. I had more than 100 polyps in my colon and a large mass in my rectum. The treatment was 5 ½ weeks of radiation followed by 12-hours of surgery during which I had my colon/rectum removed, a permanent ileostomy created and finally six-months of chemotherapy. During the surgical process I had to have muscles cut from stomach to sew up my backside creating a VM flap to cover the void from the rectum removal. Unfortunately during this process they had to move into my pelvis where the nerve bundles enabling an erection were cut (similar to pancreatic cancer survivors I am guessing).
The good news: All the outcomes were positive. There were no complications and everything that was done for the cancer treatments healed nicely and properly.
The bad news: There is no possible way to get a normal erection now. I knew this outcome was possible (although NOT common). Before I even started radiation I researched all of the ED treatment options, not knowing if I would be dealing with it or not. Part of that research led me to this site (thank goodness). I never had any ED problems or issues before this. I was hoping that over time the damage would heal, or my “junk” would come back to life once the shock from the surgery was past. Unfortunately, no such luck. Reviewing my last CT Scan confirmed this. Notes said, “Several snips in the pelvis” UGH.
Long story short, when I realized that I was having ED problems, I did get a referral to Urology. It was aided by my plastics surgeon who greased the skids and told the Uro reconstruction doc what had happened.
Just to keep it copacetic, I tried all of the pills to see if anything would happen. Nope. I definitely wasn’t interested in injections. Was willing to try the suppositories, but when I found out they had to be refrigerated I declined. Finally was supplied a VED to use. It worked OK, but I wanted to get back to as normal a love-life as possible. I figured the implant was really the best way to go. The first reconstruction doc I talked to did not really boost my confidence. Due to the surgery and my other complicated issues, it was obvious he just didn’t have the experience to handle me. I waited a few months then found someone else with much, much more experience (UCSD doc working with the VA). Finally going to have an AMS LGX implant installed on Friday.
My takeaways from reading this forum for a couple of years are as follows:
1. After surgery there will be PAIN. That’s OK as I have a very high pain threshold. Ex-Soldier, former rugby player/motorcycle roadracer here so I have been dealt more than my fair share of injuries and massive pain. I live with a broken back every day and still manage to do cardio and weight workouts six-days a week. I’ll just deal with it and move on.
2. Once healed, patience is key to cycling and working with the unit to help restore length and girth. Since this operation I have had to develop patience I never knew I had. Already had to do VED therapy every single day for more than a year. Too easy. Will hope the install goes smoothly and that the unit doesn’t have any issues.
3. I will be “banging like a porn star” in a few months after things heal up and I get used to using the new device. That’s good as I have a gorgeous and very understanding fiancée and we can’t wait to try it out. Regardless of the “size” outcome, anything is better than this dead dog I have now.
4. I am glad to see that most of you are very happy and satisfied with your implants. That is what helped make this decision much easier.
I’ll probably have more questions as I move through this process.
Will fill out sig block later
- R
Loving the ice packs.