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I just requested a community care with the VA but just in case, did anyone on this forum had good experience with a VA surgeon? I'm looking for somebody with sufficient experience, who you felt comfortable with and who is not timid about sizing your cylinders. I already interviewed few implanters in my area and found that many are pretty timid about sizing up their implants.

One told me that I should expect to lose length. At the time I was totally ignorant about all things implant so I didn't follow up with if it was meant as immediately post-op, or in general.

Another implanter said that even most of his LGX patients lose size after the implantation. Really? What's the purpose of getting LGX then? He got pretty defensive when I asked him if he sizes his implants into the glan. So am I bit paranoid about using little known doctors? You might say so

Anyone had a good experience with the VA implanter who has hands on experience with AMS brand and is not afraid to implant into the glan?

I am using VA community care. My approach was to find the 3 best high volume surgeons, meet with them, and have since picked one. After finding the right surgeon, I then checked to see if they accept VA. One of them didn’t. Going to a VA hospital to get it done could be hit or miss. Some quality doctors will support VA facilities but that is generally if in a bigger market. Unless you are limited on insurance options, I would find the best surgeon first then align your insurance . My 2 cents

I am one week into recovery from IPP surgery. I had my procedure performed at the Pittsburgh VA. My surgeon was Dr. Paul Rusilko. He is a high volume implant surgeon and university Professor who actually teaches the procedure to other doctors. I am fortunate to have that resource. So - yes, there are excellent surgeons with VA affiliation. Also, Dr. Rusilko refused to talk about size, which I respected. His focus is on functionality. No surgeon can guarantee you specific results. Advertising "size" is marketing, not reality. That depends on your anatomy, time, and personal effort (i.e cycling). Whatever the case, consult with whatever VA near you offers implant surgery, and research the doctor(s) performing it. I can only speak for Pittsburgh.

My surgeon goes to the San Diego VA to do implant surgeries once a month. I asked him about it around the time of my surgery, since I had a buddy with VA insurance who was exploring his options. Dr. Patel told me that although he does the procedure at the VA, the before and after care is not the best and can lead to poor outcomes. He ultimately asked for community urology referral to get his surgery done at the University of California.

Agree with the above poster, maybe find a surgeon first and hammer out the insurance later.

whatevery wrote:I just requested a community care with the VA but just in case, did anyone on this forum had good experience with a VA surgeon? I'm looking for somebody with sufficient experience, who you felt comfortable with and who is not timid about sizing your cylinders. I already interviewed few implanters in my area and found that many are pretty timid about sizing up their implants.

One told me that I should expect to lose length. At the time I was totally ignorant about all things implant so I didn't follow up with if it was meant as immediately post-op, or in general.

Another implanter said that even most of his LGX patients lose size after the implantation. Really? What's the purpose of getting LGX then? He got pretty defensive when I asked him if he sizes his implants into the glan. So am I bit paranoid about using little known doctors? You might say so

Anyone had a good experience with the VA implanter who has hands on experience with AMS brand and is not afraid to implant into the glan?

I got mine done at Lackland Air Force Base through Brooke Army Medical Center Urologist Department.
Are you retired military or only served for several years?

SWorks

pjt1958 wrote:My surgeon goes to the San Diego VA to do implant surgeries once a month. I asked him about it around the time of my surgery, since I had a buddy with VA insurance who was exploring his options. Dr. Patel told me that although he does the procedure at the VA, the before and after care is not the best and can lead to poor outcomes. He ultimately asked for community urology referral to get his surgery done at the University of California.

Agree with the above poster, maybe find a surgeon first and hammer out the insurance later.

While I can't speak to the quality of care at the San Diego VA, in my opinion, Dr. Patel's assessment is somewhat self-serving. He steered you to where he will undoubtedly receive a higher compensation. I don't understand what he means by "before and after care." The process for this procedure is fairly standard, and doesn't require you to do much prior other than a battery of tests (e.g. bloodwork, EKG, X-rays, urine culture, MRSA test). Aftercare - you have post-surgical instructions to follow on your own as healing progresses, and then your follow-up exam. If you have questions or needs in the meantime, you can contact your surgeon. In Pittsburgh, penile implant surgeries are routinely performed one or two days per week, that I am aware of. The closest VA to me is actually Clarksburg, WV, which does not perform the procedure at all, so referred me to Pittsburgh (about 90 minutes away). I am in Morgantown, WV where WVU Medicine offers implant surgery as well. That would have been most convenient. But, by the time I would have received a community care initial consult at WVU through Clarksburg, I'd be a week into recovery if I opted for Pittsburgh - which I did, as Dr. Rusilko is top notch, and is also affiliated with University of Pittsburgh medicine. Not once did Dr. Rusilko bad mouth the Pittsburgh VA - despite being also affiliated with UPMC. As the surgeon, he is responsible for overseeing my care - at the VA or UPMC. So, if he painted the VA in a bad light, he'd be doing it to himself. For that reason, Dr. Patel steering patients to private care seems suspect. But, that's just my opinion. One week into recovery, I'm doing fine, with zero complaints or complications. Whatever pain or discomfort involved is normal, and expected. I hold fast to my opinion that the VA is a good option. Just do your research on surgeons. With community care, ask the VA's community care team what your options are before reaching out to any surgeons - as they have to be part of the VA's contracted network. If the one you choose on your own is not, the VA isn't paying for it. And you need that VA approval letter first. All the best.

SWorks17 wrote:I got mine done at Lackland Air Force Base through Brooke Army Medical Center Urologist Department.
Are you retired military or only served for several years?

SWorks

Just served for few years.