After consulting this board and receiving great advice, I researched my doctor and she has less than 5 years experience doing implants. I emailed several times, asking about qualifications, number of implants performed, etc. I was told, no more questions. I'm supposed to go in for the pre surgery consultation in 2 weeks (a week before the actual surgery). I was told to ask questions at the consultation. I said I have concerns and that is only a week before the surgery.
This is too big of a surgery to leave it to chance. I don't know what I am going to do for an implant now. I have requested community care again, but it has been shot down twice before.
too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
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EricDraven
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:23 pm
too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
54 yo, type 2 diabetes, open heart surgery. Used Viagra for 10 years, then it stopped working. Been celibate for 10 years because I couldn’t get approved for an implant. Implanted on 2-16-23 by the Veterans hospital, titan 24cm, infrapubic
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username_taken29
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 3:07 pm
Re: too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
EricDraven wrote:After consulting this board and receiving great advice, I researched my doctor and she has less than 5 years experience doing implants. I emailed several times, asking about qualifications, number of implants performed, etc. I was told, no more questions. I'm supposed to go in for the pre surgery consultation in 2 weeks (a week before the actual surgery). I was told to ask questions at the consultation. I said I have concerns and that is only a week before the surgery.
This is too big of a surgery to leave it to chance. I don't know what I am going to do for an implant now. I have requested community care again, but it has been shot down twice before.
Sounds like the right call based on their responses - def best to go to someone reputable if you can?
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Lost Sheep
- Posts: 6144
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:16 pm
Re: too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
My VA Commander is strongly proactive on the quality of care front. We also have a liaison veterans can talk to about appeals or problems, etc. Sounds like it is time to avail yourself of the chain of command.
We gave years of our lives and risked everything to serve our country. The VA is there because of that. Whoever is obstructing you needs to be reminded of that. I don't know if a reminder from you would be heard, but appeals from your should circle around.
Take names of everyone you talk to and thank them by name at every contact. People tend to remember people who remember them and you want them to remember you kindly. Be polite and thank them because, even if they were not helpful, they gave you their time. One person who was obstructive at first a couple months later, called me and suggested that a surgeon who was an expert at implants had recently been assigned to the local base hospital. She didn't have to do that but remembered me and made the call.
Just as in a military movement, prepare the way, get your ducks in a row and execute the campaign as best you can.
We gave years of our lives and risked everything to serve our country. The VA is there because of that. Whoever is obstructing you needs to be reminded of that. I don't know if a reminder from you would be heard, but appeals from your should circle around.
Take names of everyone you talk to and thank them by name at every contact. People tend to remember people who remember them and you want them to remember you kindly. Be polite and thank them because, even if they were not helpful, they gave you their time. One person who was obstructive at first a couple months later, called me and suggested that a surgeon who was an expert at implants had recently been assigned to the local base hospital. She didn't have to do that but remembered me and made the call.
Just as in a military movement, prepare the way, get your ducks in a row and execute the campaign as best you can.
Lost Sheep
AMS LGX 18+3 Nov 6, 2017
Prostate Cancer 2023
READ OLD THREADS-ask better questions -better understand answers
Be part of your medical team
Document pre-op size-photos and written records
Pre-op VED therapy helps. Post-op is another matter
AMS LGX 18+3 Nov 6, 2017
Prostate Cancer 2023
READ OLD THREADS-ask better questions -better understand answers
Be part of your medical team
Document pre-op size-photos and written records
Pre-op VED therapy helps. Post-op is another matter
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SquadCaptain74
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:09 am
Re: too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
You are justified in your approach (asking questions is a way to gain information).
Moreover, experience is critical in this realm. Don't settle - BUT ALSO - don't allow the VA to move you to the back of the bus and hinder approval of your procedure. You might consider requesting a consult with the Medical Director of the facility to express your concerns and/or push for the VA to cover a practitioner in a private practice.
Moreover, experience is critical in this realm. Don't settle - BUT ALSO - don't allow the VA to move you to the back of the bus and hinder approval of your procedure. You might consider requesting a consult with the Medical Director of the facility to express your concerns and/or push for the VA to cover a practitioner in a private practice.
Northern Virginia
Boston Scientific AMS700 (2020)
Boston Scientific AMS700 (2020)
Re: too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
Sorry to hear of your issues, when I went to the consult just a few weeks before surgery I had about a years worth of research.
I knew going into the pre surgery consult that I probably was going be talking to a resident not the main surgeon, I also knew who the main surgeon was and was confident I would get the best care possible.
I knew at this appointment all the approvals had been done. I found my doctor to be knowledgeable about the procedure, addressed my concerns. When the surgeon came in I spent so little time with me mostly because of my preparations. When I talked to him I knew I was in good hands.
I was worried about getting second class service based on the government but at my VA that definitely is not the case. Being your own advocate is import
I’m very happy with the results.
Good luck and don’t give up
I knew going into the pre surgery consult that I probably was going be talking to a resident not the main surgeon, I also knew who the main surgeon was and was confident I would get the best care possible.
I knew at this appointment all the approvals had been done. I found my doctor to be knowledgeable about the procedure, addressed my concerns. When the surgeon came in I spent so little time with me mostly because of my preparations. When I talked to him I knew I was in good hands.
I was worried about getting second class service based on the government but at my VA that definitely is not the case. Being your own advocate is import
I’m very happy with the results.
Good luck and don’t give up
ED 20 years, Peyroine's Disease diagnosed in 2018, at 57 years I was implanted September 3rd 2019 at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, AMS700 CX 21cm + 2cm RTE
Re: too many red flags, cancelling my VA implant
Another option would be to go to the preop consult appointment the week before. If you get all your questions answered and like what you hear, proceed. If you still have questions you could postpone until you get your questions answered, If you don’t like what you hear, cancel.
55yo, NYC. ED started at 40. 50 units BiMix + Atropine (Pap 30/Phen 6/Atr 0.2). Prostaglandins caused aching. Doses increasing. A cock ring helps. Phallosan Forte tension devise to maintain size. Eager to talk about implant experiences.
