Any limit on how many revisions a man can have?

[considering89]

Hello,

Is there any limit on how many revisions a man can have?

For instance, if someone gets implanted at 30 years old and the implants last an avg of 5 years, they theoretically could require 8-10 revisions.

Is there a point at which the penis is "shot" from having so many revisions, or is this not a concern?

Has anyone ever asked this question of a good surgeon?

[Tmansdorfer]

I don’t think there is a limit as long as you are healthy and can heal after the surgery. I have had 7 surgeries in the last two years. The biggest issue for me has been infection which i had for the last year. I am currently waiting the three months to be reimplanted after everything settles down.

[Lost Sheep]

Hello,

Is there any limit on how many revisions a man can have?

For instance, if someone gets implanted at 30 years old and the implants last an avg of 5 years, they theoretically could require 8-10 revisions.

Is there a point at which the penis is "shot" from having so many revisions, or is this not a concern?

Has anyone ever asked this question of a good surgeon?

I have not read of anyone asking a surgeon, but this question, when discussed before on Franktalk, focused mainly on the risk of infection being greater with each revision. The amount of increase is debatable (or even if there is any increase at all).

I would at least as concerned about loss of sensation. It is easy to damage nerves during implant surgery.

Sorry, I don't have links to the threads. I suggest doing a search on "infection" and then narrow the search to "revision".

I note that there is research showing that the service life of implants is more like 8-10 years and getting better as manufacturers incrementally produce better designs.

[wolfpacker]

I asked basically that question to both Dr Eid and a Dr at Johns Hopkins. I asked if you could eventually reach "end of the line", like if there could be some complication that could occur, now or in a future revision, where the surgeon would be unable to place any implant, and you'd just be left implantless for the rest of your life. They both responded no.

[LeRoastBeef]

We have to take into account that implant life expectancy has a non parametric distribution.
It's more bimodal, things generally either go wrong quickly after implantation, or last 8 to10 years.
That's my conclusion from reading here. The average is not that indicative of what to expect, the median would be better, although even then, so many variables with each patient.

I think a healthier attitude is that there are no gaurantees, we need it, best to use it when young and live life. No point in holding back on implantation when things don't work. Not logical to use your implant less so you can later.. Use it more...

My surgeon noted that I would need replacements, he knew that I knew, there want much else to say in the matter, so we said no more.

[Gt1956]

We have to take into account that implant life expectancy has a non parametric distribution.
It's more bimodal, things generally either go wrong quickly after implantation, or last 8 to10 years.
That's my conclusion from reading here. The average is not that indicative of what to expect, the median would be better, although even then, so many variables with each patient.
I think a healthier attitude is that there are no gaurantees, we need it, best to use it when young and live life. No point in holding back on implantation when things don't work. Not logical to use your implant less so you can later.. Use it more...
My surgeon noted that I would need replacements, he knew that I knew, there want much else to say in the matter, so we said no more.

Probably not saying this correctly. Many people confuse the two phrases of average & median. My understanding is that median is the point where half last longer & half last less. You can argue that they are the same value but they aren't. It sure would be interesting to learn what the median is for the 3 main implant models in the USA are.
As stated above. I've read in the archives of men that have had a lot of revisions. One at 8 comes to mind. The trouble that I have is the word revision gets thrown around too easily. A full implant replacement is a lot different that getting a new pump.
Also to consider. Seems that some surgeons might be a little superstitious. I've read of several members that had a bad pump but their surgeon elected to replace the cylinders also. So in my mind that doesn't count as a bad implant cause the pump was the faulty item.
As always, I'm not in the medical field. I can be a victim of what I read. This is how I see op's question. Btw, this question seems to be on about a 4-6 month cycle. So it does worry some men. Almost makes me wonder if there is a group or web site spreading poor information.

[considering89]

Gt1956,

Thank you. To clarify, I didn't read an article or anything stating that there is a "limit" on how many revisions can be done. The question just stems from the list of concerns I want to check off my mental list before getting an implant. I'm 31 and I expect to use my implant a lot. I'm not scared by revisions or even injections (as the % really is low) ... I just wondered, is there a limit on how many times the penis can be opened up and reimplanted? Does this start to reduce sensation over time? Etc.

I take comfort in another person's response that Eid stated there is no limit.

Thank you.

[LeRoastBeef]

I didn't say that the median and mean are the same thing, quite the opposite.
That was the entire point I was making, which, given the follow up responses, was a waste of time.

[Gt1956]

I didn't say that the median and mean are the same thing, quite the opposite.
That was the entire point I was making, which, given the follow up responses, was a waste of time.

I didn't think that you was confused. Quite the opposite.

[LeRoastBeef]

Sorry, I think the pain of recovery has made me crabbit with the world.
Just realised its you, Gt1956, of all the people to fight with,apologies old chap.