My journey, Part 1 - Day 12

[Bionic_Brian]

Hi everyone, my name is Brian, from the Netherlands.

I'm 54 years old, and I've had erection problems since I was 21 or 22. It started with me not being able to keep it hard for very long, and that hardness gradually became shorter and shorter until I was around 35, when I could still get hard, but definitely not for longer than a minute and a half to two and a half. There's nothing wrong with the feeling, and since I'm in a steady relationship, we've found plenty of other ways to get off for me, but sex and real fucking, became less and less our thing.

In the beginning, we tried everything, of course. From Viagra and Cyalis, which only made me harder more often, but not for longer, to a vacuum pump and injectables. The only thing that really worked was the vacuum pump, but it was painful, and I couldn't reconcile pumping my penis and then having that stupid rubber ring around it with arousal and horniness. In other words, it simply wasn't working.

Three years ago, I first heard about a penile prosthesis, and so I started looking into what was available, and especially what was possible in the Netherlands. While we have the luxury of insurance covering it here, we're also unlucky enough that there aren't many places where you can go for this surgery.

Eventually, I managed to find a surgeon and get a referral from my GP (mandatory in the Netherlands; you can't just go straight to one). There, I underwent various tests to determine whether I was suitable for the surgery, but also whether I was emotionally willing to undergo it. During these tests, I was clearly told what to expect, and I was told very clearly that it would be fantastic in the long run, but that the first three to six weeks would be extremely painful. I was especially warned about the pain in the first one to two weeks by the various doctors who performed the initial tests.

When it was finally my turn for surgery, there were a few reasons why it was postponed. One time was when I had an infection in my feet, and I was told that you absolutely cannot have an infection anywhere in your body if you have this surgery. Another time was when the hospital had reasons why it couldn't go ahead. It took over two years before I could actually have the surgery, and 12 days ago it finally happened: I was allowed to undergo surgery.

I was afraid of the surgery. Not the surgery itself, but how I would wake up, especially the pain I would experience. I'd been promised sufficient medication to suppress the pain, but I'd also been told that it's difficult to suppress. But… When I woke up, it didn't hurt, it feel good, just a little bit of pain. When I returned to the hospital ward where I was (and had to stay overnight), it did start to hurt a bit towards evening, but honestly… Not very much.

The next day, the surgeon came to see me. The bandage was removed from my penis, and wow… I hadn't seen my penis this big, hard, and thick in a long time. I naturally have a curve in my penis, but now it was completely straight and as hard as a stone dildo. I couldn't believe how much I loved it. I still had a tube inserted for urination, a catheter, but otherwise, it looked very natural. The doctor was very pleased. I had no bruises, a very nice connection between my scrotum and penis, and the pump in my scrotum was already nice and low. The doctor relieved some pressure on my penis by pressing a button for a few seconds, and then he clicked the valve shut again… A loud click, which I felt briefly in my balls. Then I had to put on tight underwear and wait another half day for my bowels to return to normal before I could go home.

That afternoon, I was discharged from the hospital and then went home. I took paracetamol four times a day and was prescribed Tramadol from the surgery until I was discharged. I was also given Tramadol for the first two weeks.

When I woke up at home the next morning, I had no pain… But honestly, I felt it, but there was absolutely no pain. I didn't take paracetamol or tramadol because why would I treat pain I didn't have? Okay, some movements I made weren't entirely comfortable, but to this day, I haven't had any pain. I haven't taken any medication since I got home, and now that it's been 12 days, I can only say that the pump in my scrotum takes some getting used to, especially when I sit down.

The prosthesis I received is the AMS 700 LGX in size 21+3, and according to my surgeon, my surgery was truly a textbook example.

When I'm further along in the healing process (and can start trying something), I'll post an update, or of course, if I get any comments on this post, I'll respond.

Sincerely,
Brian.

[SWorks17]

Congratulations Brian, welcome to the Bionic Brotherhood!

I have the same implant as you just not as large, I have a 18cm with 3cm rear tips.

It sounds like you’re doing great on your journey so far. Reach out when you have questions, we’ll try to answer the best we can with the experience that we’ve had.

All the best,
Your Bionic Brother in Texas
SWorks

[cbinspok]

welcome to the bionic brotherhood Brian!
just know each day will be better than the last, and that notion is true for a year or more. enjoy your journey brother!
hugs from the US , in this case,,, YES ICE please. lots of ice.

[1sfman]

Congrats Brian on your implant and welcome to the brotherhood. Sounds like all is going very well and you are having a great recovery. I got my implant on 21 Jan, so I'm on day 23 and have had a similar recovery. I had a first attempt on 6 Oct 2025 and the right side urethra was nicked, so I had to wait until Jan for a second attempt. I originally was to have the LGX, but after my problem, the surgeon said the CX was a better option (21cm and +1cm left side).

I'm 20 years your senior, but I didn't start having problems until 60. I went down all the usual paths, pills, VED (terrible) and shots. I only discovered implants a year ago, and at first assumed Medicare Advantage would not pay for them (they do). I only wish I had known about them much earlier.

I have 3 more weeks before my second post-op visit where the surgeon will finally allow me to start cycling the implants. I'm counting down the days and can hardly wait. No doubt you are in the same boat although your time line might be different from mine.

All the best to you for continued recovery from your Bio Brother in Illinois.