Using other than a world renowned surgeon

[Txagq8]

I’ve finally gotten to the point where I think an implant is the best course of action

I read posts on here where guys have used these surgeons who are implant experts and yes, having a guy who installs a gazillion of them a week and is widely recognized for his expertise would be best.

I’m not in a position, however, to haul off and pay for the entire thing myself and truthfully, would rather be close to the doc who does the work in case there are issues.

My insurance carrier has no problem paying for me to go to the university affiliated medical school hospital and have this done. I’ve had great results with this hospital for other surgeries and they have a great reputation. Then again, my other surgeries didn’t involve my junk.

I understand not wanting some hack whose name you got from the phone book to do an implant. Yes, it would be great to fly off and see a Dr Kramer or similar. But is there any reason to reject the idea of using a recommended urological surgeon at a reputable med school hospital?

Thus far I’ve had just a single half hour consult to discuss the feasibility of surgery. My regular urologist referred me. This guy is board certified, does all the implants at this med school (dammit I neglected to ask how many per year), made no ridiculous promises, and said based on my physical condition and health I’d be a good candidate.

So I guess my question, after all this, is just how critical is a brand name surgeon ? Or can I go forward with some confidence using clinic my insurance will pay for with no real problem that is only an hour away?

[JH2007]

It’s not required to see one, some people here are just as happy with normal surgeons the benefit of Kramer is he also responds to his email for updates on you and he’s skilled at his craft and have lower chance of let’s say floppy head sizing wrong etc IMO. Dr Eid is also good not as promt though

[Dave52]

A piece of advice if you choose a teaching hospital you will be asked to sign a release that will allow a med student to do some if not all of the surgery. I dont think i want to have that experience again it happened to me with a knee replacment surgery at New England Baptist i had the head of orth surgery scheduled to do my knee replacment at least thats what I thought. He did the top part and some student did the lower part and you guessed it he F**ked it up had to have a revision. If you choose the teaching hospital make the Dr. sign a paper stating he will be the only one doing any surgery at all if he won't then go elswhere.
Dave

[Lost Sheep]

Be aware that reknowned on this forum is not necessarily reknowned within the medical community. Just that Doctors like Dr. Kramer, Dr Eid and a few others have vocal supporters present here.

Dr. Eid advised me, if I cannot use his services, to "find a surgeon in love with his craft". Such a surgeon, he continued, would put his patients' welfare above all other considerations.

My chosen surgeon told me, "You will be over-flying a lot of good surgeons if you choose to go to Dr. Kramer in Maryland." (I live in Alaska)

I found Dr. Shaw, interviewed him and found him respectful of the research I had done and dedicated to restoration of optimal (not just adequate) sexual function.

My advice it to interview local surgeons as well as the more distant high-profile surgeons. Deep experience (lots of successful implants) is a major factor as well.

[Snoozdoc]

My two cents:

I wish to God I went to one of the top 3 or 4.

Had I found FT before U scheduled, I think I wouldve. But my insurance doubles my out of pocket if I go out of state, so I chose a University guy that does about 50/yr x 10 years. Didnt think much of it, oddly.

My first clue was that I couldnt get him to call me before my flight out there for initial consult despite 3 or 4 attempts (it’s a 7 hour drive, hence the flight).

I finally met him at the hospital. He seemed, idk, quiet/reserved. Ok. But he told me he would do entire procedure, since I asked and since im in the medical field.

The next time i saw him was in the OR during my failed spinal anesthetic. Just a wave was all.

Woke up in recovery, then off to my “room” for one night. It was actually just a space with curtains and about 12 other post op patients.

Thought he’d pop in that night. Nope, just PA. She didnt know what a reservoir was, just thought it was the pump!!!

Figured for sure he would round on me post op day 1. Nope. PA did. Said he was busy in OR and id b leaving before he was done. She said surgeon would call me over weekend. Nope.

I message him some questions through university portal. Nope. No answer. Ever.

I spoke to his clinic nurse. Not very helpful but said she would talk to doctor and get back to me. Nope. Crickets.

Like I said, im in the business. Im a physician. I would NEVER not get back to my patient in a timely manner.

Now, it was prearranged that my local urologist would do my followups. He’s a friend, and used to do implants. But still, really???

Now i think he MIGHT HAVE done the best he could. I’ll never know. But had I gone to a world class surgeon, i wouldnt be second guessing myself as to whether its just my anatomy, or his skill, that makes me only somewhat satisfied (eg. Tips of cylinders not at all in glans due to severe fibrosis from PD, or tilt to left about 10°, or pump position not ideal). Point being, second guessing is the worst.

So, if/when I need a revision, it’ll be in ny or md or cali or someone renowned.

Thanks for listening

[Chiefy]

My surgery is in 2 weeks, by a doc that isn't on the short list (Casey McCraw, here in Vegas). I asked him all the right questions (there are lists here) and was very satisfied with everything he said. We made a joke of it (I was conducting a job interview) and he was happy to answer everything in detail. I have the resources to go to someone else, but I have no misgivings in proceeding. While the # of implants they've done is important, the # of satisfied patients and their personal infection rate is more so in my opinion.

As mentioned, the teaching hospital piece would be concerning to me as well. I would be looking to have the doc do the surgery and he can have the students watch. They may say they'll be watching their students closely, but still.

[Gt1956]

Every doctor has to learn. But I'd be concerned about the student to teacher ratio. Does the teacher attend every surgery. I'm sure that there are many more reasonable concerns that I'm missing. But, for me personally. I'd probably er towards experience even if it costs more.
WWIW, Prieto has students in some of his YouTube videos. I don't think he is at a teaching hospital. So my take on it is that there are some surgeons that go to others for additional training. I would put those guys in a different class than a med school student. More like they want to learn the best way. Tough decision, I hope all turns out well.

[notaes]

I too am in your same position. If I could I would love to see Dr. Kramer. But, i simply cannot travel hours for a consult then travel hours back home. Then turn around travel hours again for surgery and spend three nights in a hotel. Then travel hours back home. I am within 45 minutes of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. I talked with a guy yesterday that told me if a surgeon does 10 of the implant surgeries per month he is considered more than qualified. Not everyone can be a high volume implant surgeon. I can’t believe a reputable surgeon would even think about performing this surgery on anyone and risk law suits if he was not confident to do the surgery. I am just not physically able to travel a great distance to have this done when I have a major medical center in my door. To me seems stupid to do anything other than what your closet too. If I have a problem I am 45 minutes away from my doctor not hours! Thank you for posting your info. It’s long overdue on Franktalk.

[jump.ship]

I am flying from the UK over to NYC for mine and I am dreading it. I would do anything to avoid the travel. But as I will not accept anything less that perfect here, I have no choice.

[Bbj2182]

I unfortunately could not go to a world renowned surgeon. Mine was actually a female and she did a fantastic job. I made sure I was comfortable and asked a lot of questions before the procedure. She was great in every aspect. She was going on vacation right after my surgery and she called me 3 times to check in on me in addition to her office calling. My girlfriend and I are EXTREMELY happy and grateful. Just make sure they answer all your concerns and at least have considerate experience with the implant they’re using. Best thing I ever did. My girl says is dick on demand......kinda like pay per view lol.