Bionic Male? What can I expect with a penile implant for ED?

Being able to enjoy and participate in sex is important for quality of life.

Unfortunately, many men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) due to abnormalities in the blood flow that can negatively impact the ability to get and maintain erections. This can be frustrating for patients and disappointing for partners. Pills, injections, and other non-invasive therapies can help improve the responsiveness of the blood vessels to erotic stimulation, but many men find these therapies to be unreliable and may lead to undesired side effects like headaches, stuffy nose, facial flushing, penile pain, and penile scarring.

A penile implant provides the most reliable and strong erection for sexual activity in men suffering from ED. A penile implant can be an excellent treatment option for any guy suffering from ED, not only those guys where other therapies stopped working. In fact, many men are choosing implant surgery sooner rather than delay getting the help they need. There are several types of penile implants available depending on your preferences and goals that should be discussed with your doctor. Many men are often worried about how a penile implant will impact sex.

Here are the 4 most common questions that I receive about life after getting a penile implant.

1.     How big will my penis be with the implant?

You should not lose penile length with placement of a penile implant, but it can-not reverse any length loss that has occurred due to ED. At the time of surgery, an implant is custom-sized for your anatomy. Many men are surprised to know that the length of the penis outside the body, is mirrored by a similar length inside the body.  I will place the largest implant that is safe based on the measurements completed during the procedure. Stretch penile length (grabbing the head of the penis and stretching the penis when flaccid as far away from the body) is a good estimation of what the length the penis would be able to obtain after surgery with the implant fully inflated. There are additional minor procedures that can be performed at the time of the implant surgery to improve perceived length (get the inside penis outside of the body and more visible) such as scrotoplasty, phalloplasty, and suprapubic lipectomy.

2.     Will the implant cause pain or be uncomfortable?

After you are fully healed from surgery (usually after 6 weeks) you should not experience any discomfort associated with the implant or its use. A penile implant should not impact your ability to exercise (walking, running, hiking, skiing, biking, etc.) or enjoy other recreational activities (golf, tennis, basketball, football, etc.) The implant should not be uncomfortable and is not in danger of damage with normal activities. A penile implant should not limit your ability to enjoy things you love, but instead optimize your ability to enjoy the thing everyone loves – sex.   

3.     How obvious to others or my partner will it be that I have an implant?

The implant itself is all contained within the body and has a natural appearance both in the flaccid and erect state. I try to minimize the scar by using a small incision that heals in line with the natural lines of the scrotal skin. All of the components are completely concealed. No one should be able to tell that you have an implant, not even your partner unless you tell them In fact, I recently performed a penile implant surgery on a gentleman who had an implant for 8 years and his wife has no idea.

4.     Will sex feel natural? Will I notice any changes in penile sensation or my ability to achieve orgasm?

Sex with a penile implant should be natural. The implant is designed to provide reliable rigidity for sexual intercourse and does not change sensitivity to the penis or skin or your ultimate response to sexual stimulation. You can enjoy all sexual positions and unhindered orgasm. You have control over when to release the valve, which will allow you to sustain a rigid erection even after you have achieved orgasm. It’s important to communicate with your partner to ensure that you can both enjoy the maximum pleasure with a penile implant. What will your partner feel? – a firm, satisfying, natural erection every time. 

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