How big of a deal is shortening with an implant?

[Handyman]

I lost an inch from a radical prostatectomy no further loss from implant surgery. Some guys are hyper focused on 1/4 inch. My opinion is I am delighted to have an on demand hard penis ready to go for a long time than a useless paperweight. (Even if longer!)

[LGXDownunder]

I've read that men complain about shortening with their implant. How do you guys deal with shortening? Are there any pre-op techniques to prevent it?

macoza, This is a frequent concern for many of us and often asked here. Yes there are techniques that can help.
As Handyman said some guys have a degree of permanent loss, but often happy to live with it to enjoy a reliable erection on demand.
Like him I lost size after a radical prostatectomy, which also caused my 100% Erectile Dysfunction.
After pills, injections etc failed I used a VED frequently for sex, and also for penile rehab to help regain lost size.
After discussion with my surgeon I then used the VED aggressively 2 to 3 times a day to prepare for my implant.
Doing that meant that my corporal tissues were stretched to their natural maximum by the time of the surgery.
It allowed my surgeon to implant the maximum size cylinders for my anatomy, which he confirmed afterwards.
After the implant procedure I did lose some size initially, but once I started cycling the implant after 6 weeks I regained most of it fairly quickly.
I'm now pretty much back to my pre prostatectomy erect size, and my flaccid size is significantly larger than my original.
Other guys have reported using additional pre op techniques like penis stretchers and so on.
If you search the forums you'll find a lot of discussion on the topic of post implant shortening.

[Desperado]

IAre there any pre-op techniques to prevent it?

Yes. VED. Get the hand pump with a gauge. It’s just a break bleed hand pump.

Nitric oxide supplements.

Make your D be the best it can be, give your surgeon something to work with.

I’ve got ED after PC too, but my flaccid has improved dramatically since VED.

[daddel]

I didn’t lose any length.

[Ephi82]

As far as I can tell, my length is the same as it’s always been,and I believe this is due to having a very experienced surgeon and cycling the implant religiously after surgery.

I think my girth may be slightly less than what I had in my youth, but that’s balanced by always having an erection that is as hard as I want it, and one that I can sustain all night!

[LGXDownunder]

, This is a frequent concern for many of us and often asked here. Yes there are techniques that can help.
some guys have a degree of permanent loss, but often happy to live with it to enjoy a reliable erection on demand.

Appreciate the response. As you pump up do you get horny as it gets you an erection?

Was your libido affected at all after surgery?

Yes now I usually do get horny when I pump and feel, and see, the fullness of an erection.
I think it's probably psychological because I associate the pumping with sexual activity.
My libido immediately post surgery was low due to pain, swelling etc.
Once I started cycling and having sex again it improved a little, but sex was painful initially so wasn't back to normal.
Now that I feel normal physically my libido has fully returned and is actually much stronger than pre implant.
I think that's because the ED symptoms have been artificially removed by the implant and my sexual confidence is restored.

[Desperado]

Nitric oxide supplements.

Make your D be the best it can be, give your surgeon something to work with.
.

In your signature it says you'll get an implant in 2027. I'm confused, why do you have to wait that long??

I snowbird south during winter. Spring/Summer is when I’ll do it. 2026 doesn’t quite work….but MAYBE. Big maybe for 2026. Running it through insurance now just for sticks and giggles.

[edjohn]

I've read that men complain about shortening with their implant. How do you guys deal with shortening? Are there any pre-op techniques to prevent it?

I just got a Titan with Clavell yesterday and his in-person opinion is much more forgiving... the way he puts it there is much less difference between AMS and Coloplast in terms of length expansion than AMS brags about. They are all balloons that expand when full. This is probably why you see guys with Titans gaining some length at least. He did reassure me the Titan is 3x more rigid in practice, which is a big deal for a 40 something like me with some curvature to correct. I had thick internal scar buildup and the procedure still only took 1.5 hours and it looks fantastic already. Barely any swelling and no bruising yet.

I will say I used an aggressive pre-op routine based on my personal experience with pumping... I attached a concrete vibrator to the correctly fitted LA mushroom head pump (so the glans is not slapped) and kept a heat wrap around it at all times. I would heat up directly with a pad and go in quick and do rapid cycles up to 15inHg very very briefly, but after 45 minutes or so, I got about .75" longer inside the VED, so I am sure it set me up for success.

I am not sure about using the vibrator after having the implant inside, I want to be very careful withe the device integrity... but I will certainly use heat and gentle pumping once I am cleared to cycle.

[edjohn]

I just got a Titan with Clavell yesterday and his in-person opinion is much more forgiving... the way he puts it there is much less difference between AMS and Coloplast in terms of length expansion than AMS brags about. They are all balloons that expand when full. This is probably why you see guys with Titans gaining some length at least. He did reassure me the Titan is 3x more rigid in practice, which is a big deal for a 40 something like me with some curvature to correct. I had thick internal scar buildup and the procedure still only took 1.5 hours and it looks fantastic already. Barely any swelling and no bruising yet.
.

Hi edjohn.. Appreciate your feedback. I got a few questions:

1. How much did Clavell charge you?

2. How long did it take from the time you sat down with Clavell to schedule the surgery to when you had the surgery (yesterday)?

3. How long before you can actually have sex?

4. How did he know you had scar buildup?

.

It was 20k out of pocket to him not including the 2k or so for hospital fees etc. I am on the Aetna foreign service plan which covers nothing but when i am back on FEPBlue I should be fine for revisions etc.

My surgery was 10 months after consultation but that’s because I needed to plan a long leave block away from post.

Officially he says 6 weeks to sex but knowing my girl that number will be fudged (carefully of course). Officially I can ask to begin cycling at 3 weeks so that’s around when I expect things to change.

He left me about 50% which does stick out but I am flying the next day with zero pain and I am able to slip the nearly 9 inches down my baggy joggers no problem. I just walk around a little hunched over. It is recommended to tuck up, but that hurts a little and takes some patience so I am going to ease into the up-tuck.

The scarring was obvious… it felt like i had rubber marbles filling the proximal half of each side my dick (from injecting). i only saw him on video once and met him in person the morning of (yesterday).

[Rider1400]

As others said. I used VED twice daily for 30 minutes ea time cycling it on and off. Only lost an inch immediately after surgery. By 3-4 months it was almost all back. By 6 months I was back and by 11-12 months I had actually gained 1/4” in girth at the base and mid shaft. Wife and I love the new toy now for 3-1/2 years! Best decision I’ve made concerning ED in last 13 years!