Implant surgeons in NW Ark, SW MO?

[Wildhog]

Anyone have info (positive or negative) regarding implant surgeons in Northwest Arkansas or nearby Misouri or Oklahoma?
I agree Its important to find a skilled and very experienced doctor, but I'm also wary about traveling far away to an assembly line clinic where I have no connection with the surgeon and will never see him again.

[jckerpe]

I used to live in NW Arkansas, but now live in SW Missouri. I had my implant done in January 2009. I finally went with Dr. Steven Brandes in St. Louis, Mo. He's with the Washington University Urological Center and had the surgery done at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I couldn't find any one closer than that at the time that had any practice in putting in the implant. Not sure if I had checked the Tulsa area. I'm quite happy with my implant...it's a Titan. I think that is what he likes to use. If you have any question, you can contact me privately. Hopes that this helps.

Jerry

[bob1138]

Wildhog,

I believe the following experienced Penile Implant Surgeons are in your area:

Dr. Vincenzo Galati
3 Doctors Park
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
(573) 334-7748
capeurology.com

Dr. Barry Farber
3850 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 269-6944

Hope this info is helpful.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Bob

[rlm1818]

Hi Bob,

I think it is great and helpful that you are willing to supply names of "experienced surgeons". However, I also think it would be helpful for you to indicate the source of your suggestions if they are not based on personal experience.

You have stated elsewhere that you are affiliated with Coloplast, the manufacturer of the Titan implant, as a "Coloplast Patient Educator". That raises a couple of questions. Are these suggestions endorsed by Coloplast? Does your knowledge that they are "experienced" arise from Coloplast? Also, I know from my own experience that some surgeons favor Coloplast, some favor AMS, and some willingly use either. Are your suggestions possibly oriented to those surgeons who are biased in favor of Coloplast? I'm not knocking Titans. I have one, and I think its great, but I think biases or favoratisms should be disclosed.

I also tend to think that people posting in these forums who have professional affiliations which device manufacturers, drug companies, surgeons, or any other health care provider should be disclosing their affiliations when they post here. Perhaps adding a signature to your posts that indicates your Coloplast relationship would be appropriate?

Please don't take offense here. Your contributions to these forums are helpful, IMHO.

[Wildhog]

Thanks to all who have posted replies. Rim, your points are quite valid. I have visited Dr. Zimmerman in Rogers whose description of his experience and expertise is impressive, however, I have been unable to find independent verification. He uses both AMS and Titan. My reading on this forum has convinced me that AMS is better suited to my situation in light of average size. I'd still like to hear first hand specific experiences with surgeons in the area

[treifsnyder]

It is very tricky finding a good surgeon. I went to a Surgeon in Baltimore named Andrew Kramer. He is one of the 3 biggest players in the country right now, including Francois Eid, Paul Perito, and him. I found him to be my choice after extensive research. Everything went well. I'd be happy to help you research this topic. Tom

[sooner]

Hello, Tom. I've been reading about Dr. Kramer. Did you have the minimally invasive surgery? If so, did it make your recovery easier?
How did you deal with follow up appointments from out of town?
Thanks.
Sooner

[treifsnyder]

He's one of these "elite" high volume guys, does them all the time, very fast. He is certainly minimally invasive in the sense that he does the procedure without doing any extensive dissection or dilating (his description), doesn't have complications, and I'll admit he seems to have quite a following and good results. He has a pretty easy process for out of towners, where you come in the day before- he'll meet you that day and examine you, do the procedure the next day, then leave the following day. You can call or email him at any time, the guy gets right back to you. My opinion is that it's worth some travel to get it done right. Good luck!

[Wildhog]

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!
Thanks again to all who posted in support of my local surgeon request. Not sure what a Dr. in Baltimore has to do with the question, but thanks for participating.

A couple of years ago, pills quit working and my GP put me on Androgel. That helped, but in a few months I had a PSA spike and went to a Uro. He did two separate prostate biopsies which were negative. Stopped Androgel and tried Trimix. Results were great for a couple of months and then that quit working. The Dr. said an implant was the only thing left, but he is a young surgeon who admittedly likes to cut and displayed little empathy for a 69 year old who wanted to continue marital sex. I have no medical problems that typically contribute to ED, so I couldn't accept a veinous leak diagnosis simply on the evidence that that's the only thing left. Traveled 600 miles to a nationally known clinic where I was questioned for 20 minutes by a nurse practicioner, and 30 seconds examining my penis. The Dr. then came in and very matter of factly stated that my previous doc had done all of the right diagnosis and when I was ready for an implant from an expert, make an appointment and come back. I had glaucoma surgery in an assembly line clinic where we didn't even talk to the doc after surgery and was not interested in having this surgery 600 miles from home and probably never seeing the surgeon again.

I started calling local Urologists, made an appointment with Dr. Zimmerman in Rogers, AR 30 minutes away. He was cordial, understanding, and empathetic to my situation. We tried injections again without success. He told me he does about 20 implants a year and does a lot of modifications for patients of a retired uro who was an implant pioneer. I was able to talk to another implant patient and decided to take the plunge with Dr. Zimmerman. The result was AMAZING!

Had AMS LGX implant, pubic approach, 1/10/2013 at a local hospital. Back home early afternoon with a site drain tube, after proving I could pee, partially inflated, with minimal pain. Used ice packs and 2 Aleve every six hours. Filled pain med prescription at the hospital, but never used it. 4 days post op went back to the Dr. to remove drain. He cycled the implant and instructed me to cycle it once a day until next visit. 3 1/2 weeks post op, back for a checkup with my doc, who by now is treating me like his favorite patient. Everything was looking fine, off Aleve, and very minor discomfort; come back in two weeks.The tubes are against the glans which is not floppy. Lost about an inch from pre op VED therapy, but it's rock hard. On the way out the door, I asked when I could have sex. He hesitated a moment, and said, "whenever you want, just no acrobatics". That night my wife of 46 years and I had the best sex we have had in years. Six weeks post op, my doc released me and we are enjoying marital intimacy like we did 40 years ago. In some respects better, because I can last as long as she wants me to.

With due respect to the nationally renowned masters, I love my country doctor!!! He is a surgical artist and a master in his own right.

[bob1138]

Great news Wildhog.
Wishing you and your wife a lifetime of pleasure with your new Implant.
My wife of 50 years and I have been enjoying my Coloplast Titan Implant to the fullest for the past 5 years and counting.
Wishing the same for you and your Bride.
Like you, I chose a local Implant Surgeon -- Dr. Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad at Hackensack UMC in NJ.
My recovery was textbook and the result is spectacular.

Best of Luck,

Bob