Where to go from here

[Pumpkinman]

Yeah a lot of people don't like the needle thing and I completely understand. But then a lot of people seem to jump on implants not because the injections stop "working" but it seems once the implant takes and everything works good it seems like such less of a hassle as having to stick a needle in your junk and keep cold etc.

Oh definitely in my case the implant is so much better. Once ED started it was pills, they failed in a couple years. Injections worked fine for a couple years, then started to fail. Hated both methods as it meant scheduling sex, a real mood killer for me. Plus, it was like going through ED again and again. Healing was very tough from the surgery, hurt for almost 6 months. But I wish I could have done the implant before taking the first Viagra.

Viagra still technically works for me and I used it for over 20 years and it especially works if I take a break for a bit but I hate the side effects so bad its almost not worth it. I started injecting after talking to my brother whos injected for over 20 years for recreational purposes. Maybe as years go by ill look towards the implant route and by then technology will even go farther. Plus as the years go by new PDE5 pills will hit the market. Because injections are a pain. I'm glad everything worked out for you.

[crazyjoe]

I'm with Old Guy -- I did the implant but with Eid right where you are in NY! Instant healing, wonderful implant!

[Old Guy]

Some guys are lucky and pills or injections work for them for a long time. Viagra started giving me migraines the morning after on top of not a very satisfying erection after a couple years of use. After a year on Trimix it was increase the mix strength to get a good erection. Then up the dose to the point my dick would ache all the next day. Upped mix again.
I was at the same place when Quadmix wouldn't work, where to go from there. Thought sex was over in my life. I knew nothing about implants until I saw an ad in a Vegas newspaper while on vacation. Back home I found a doc who did implants and started the journey. One thing I wish is that before going under the knife I had found this great forum. My knowledge of implants was zip other than knowing it would allow me to have erections again. Five months after my implant someone showed me this site.

[bldoink]

My reply to the OP and others.

Please don't let the implant advocates rush you into making that irreversible decision. I'm not in any way saying you shouldn't consider an implant. It may be the correct decision for you. Only you and an unbiased, competent doctor can decide that.

It is a irreversible decision. Some of these advocates are advocates because for them it was a wonderful life changing treatment for a long term depressing condition. It can be that for many men. Possibly even for you. But it isn't a cure.

I also fear some of these more persistent implant advocates are advocates because they, themselves have made the expensive, often very painful irreversible decision with a long recovery period. They now get some sort of gratification or mental and/or emotional comfort or support and self justification by convincing others to get an implant, and in the process convincing themselves that they did in fact make the correct decision when they decided on an implant.

An implant is a temporary although hopefully long term treatment. A very expensive treatment for many. It will be a permanent solution only if you don't outlive the hopefully 10 year lifespan of the prosthesis. A lifespan that, judging by posts on this forum, is often much shorter. Then it's an expensive, sometimes very painful, replacement with the associated recovery time.

I suggest you try other options first. There isn't much downside to trying other options first. If all else fails you can still get an implant. In the interim there is a chance other options will develop. I like the implant one company is working on with the bluetooth app that does not place a manual pump in your sack and require manual pumping. That appeals to me. However I believe the expected lifespan is still 10 years if only due to a battery replacement. I expect that one relatively soon but who knows. And other options will develop over time. My problem is nerve damage and I have a small hope for improvements in that area. Vascular issues may see progress also. But again, there isn't much downside to trying other options.

I use alprostadil mono-mix injections. I'm fairly happy with the result. Perfect? No way, but they do work. The needle stick is really a non issue after the first few times. The cost for injections, if you shop around some and get the best mix, is really very economical per injection. If it's expensive you need to shop around some more. Others have good satisfaction with bi-mix, tri-mix, or even quad-mix. Just because some of the implant advocates had bad luck with injections, if they even tried them, has no influence on what your outcome would be.

The VED with constriction rings work well enough for some. Once you buy the pump it's just the cost of lube and replacement rings when they fail. It's good to have a decent VED pump on hand for therapy anyhow, if you don't already have one.

Again, I'm not disparaging implants. They are fantastic inventions. If my situation changes and an implant becomes the appropriate solution for me, I'll be all over it like white on rice. But please don't let anyone rush you into the implant option.

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum, NYGUY12345

Despite AntonS' tragic experience, I would expect much better outcome with your surgery in California (which I assume is a HIGHLY experienced surgery center with this type of surgery). Just assure yourself that your surgeon is highly skilled in this type of surgery. Most surgical skills are perishable and surgeon skill is very importannt. I have no experience with revascularization, but it seems to me to be akin to revascularization of heart arteries (also known as heart bypass surgery). It sounds like you are one of the (admittedly rare) good candidates for it.

I do recommend using a vacuum pump therapeutically (not for sex) to keep your penile tissues healthy and full-size.

Good luck.

[crazyjoe]

Bldoink -- you seem to vacillate on the value of implants -- your words "But it isn't a cure" i strongly disagree with.
For me it has been a total cure and i have been so very happy with its benefits.
It's not the same for a younger guy, i concede, because he will likely face a revision -- though the lifespan does vary from your stated 10 years. Maybe alternatives are preferable, to drift through for several years -- but implants are the "gold standard" in my personal, non-medical view.

[Lost Sheep]

Bldoink -- you seem to vacillate on the value of implants -- your words "But it isn't a cure" i strongly disagree with.
For me it has been a total cure and i have been so very happy with its benefits.
It's not the same for a younger guy, i concede, because he will likely face a revision -- though the lifespan does vary from your stated 10 years. Maybe alternatives are preferable, to drift through for several years -- but implants are the "gold standard" in my personal, non-medical view.

I believe it is not a cure. But my definition of "cure" is obviously different from yours.

Implant is a darned good treatment, but it does not restore your organic erectile function. I does pretty much guarantee destsruction of any erectile function you had pre-op. The implant tubes/cylinders displace/replace your erectile tissue and substitute their stiffness for your previous organic function.

I often put it this way:

With an implant, you are flaccid until you inflate, period, full stop.

If you had a hand that did not grip well, would you cut it off for replacement with a prosthetic hand? Keep in mind that the prosthetic may fail and leave you worse off than your natural hand was until you undergo another surgery.

If you could struggle through a 9 minute mile on your own feet, would you opt for prosthetic feet that enabled a 4 minute mile, but if (when) they failed, would leave you in a wheelchair until undergoing another surgery?

Respectfully submitted for your consideration as to the definition of the word, "cure" vs "treatment" or "solution"

[crazyjoe]

Deleted duplicate

[crazyjoe]

All good points, but when you’ve lost all “organic erectile function” as you put it, in my view it becomes a “cure”, and an amazing one at that!. I will leave it there, and respect your opinion, kind sir.