One of many Implant Journeys: Countdown to going Bionic

[TriHardDave]

DONE IT - UCLH came good in the end - NOW BIONIC

So I finally got my implant yesterday (07.01.2023) after a few minor set backs. I was well looked after by Prof Ralph and his great UCLH team. I was implanted with the AMS 700 LGX 18+2 and experienced only mild pain. Now back at home and looking forward to my first shower in 24 hours time - I am really pleased with the result, albeit early days. Just following Doctor's orders and taking it easy

Will keep you briefed of my progress. Onwards and upwards

[ThailandBound]

The "hard" part is both over (the surgery and the days leading up to it) and just beginning (a hard dick again, and a great source of joy). Congratulations and best wishes for a great recovery!

I am 5 days post-op as i write. As of today, all i've taken are 3 Tylenol in the entire time. Mostly, I've been pain free. Surreal. I expected so much worse.

Tips (though i'm sure you already know):

1. ICE. I iced almost constantly for 3 days. I now have almost no bruising or swelling.
2. Baby sock. I don't like walking around with my dick out all day. I like to wear a robe or loose athletic shorts, but the fabric rubs the glans. I cut off the end of a baby sock and placed it like a comfortable sweater on the head of my dick. It's great.
3. I ordered a "donut cushion" with an indent on the side to accomodate ones balls on Amazon. I feel slight discomfort in my balls when sitting on a hard chair, and this thing is awesome. Amazon.

Keep us posted, and again, congratulations!

[jasainuk]

Great news. I have been following you as I am in the process within the UK to get the implant done on the NHS.

I have had an initial appointment with the specialist ED nurse in Sheffield before seeing the surgeon/consultant for a final review of whether I can have it.

I did ask her to refer me to Dr Ralph and his team as I have heard a lot about him in the forum, but she said I would not need to go to London and they can do it there. She said there were about 10 people before me to be implanted and there is a long wait of more than year or so.

I still might call her and push to be referred to London as I know nothing about the surgeons here in Sheffield and most guys only wait about 6 months with Ralphs team.

She was a really helpful and quite knowledgeable nurse but she was quite negative about implants and shared horror stories and nothing positive. She also suggested I try 60mg of the injections rather than 40mg but I would have to inject 20mg from one to another....mental, and she confirmed that I cannot get the amount that matched my requirements from the NHS required (weird advice then right). As if it will work anyway, or for how long as I have experienced.

I told this nurse that I would in no way go for an operation like this if I knew there were other options (I've exhausted them).

Anyway, I waffled on a bit there.

Keep us posted on your progress and I hope it continues as it has so far.

Thanks for sharing.

[ThailandBound]

She was a really helpful and quite knowledgeable nurse but she was quite negative about implants and shared horror stories and nothing positive.

Thanks for sharing.

Those are the kinds of statements that scare guys to death regarding this decision. Sure, you can read some scary stories here, and hear them elsewhere. But what that nurse probably never took the time to consider was the over 90% satisfaction rate that is documented across several studies.

I am 5 days post op. In all those days, I only took 3 Tylenol. I was virtually pain free during that time, and here on day 5, i am totally pain free. I iced heavily in the first 3 days and i have almost no swelling or bruising. I can already tell that i'm not going to lose any length. I fully expect to be in that 90%+ category...and YOU WILL BE TOO!

[jasainuk]

Those are the kinds of statements that scare guys to death regarding this decision. Sure, you can read some scary stories here, and hear them elsewhere. But what that nurse probably never took the time to consider was the over 90% satisfaction rate that is documented across several studies.

Yes, very true.

She told me a few bad experiences including one where one of the rod was poking through the glans. She never told me one experience of anyone being satisfied and doing well which I will take up with the next consultant.If I never had this forum she would have put me off, %100.

I and many are thankful we have the NHS service but they always seem to try to guide people away from having what initially seems like the most expensive treatment.

Most of my treatments have been paid for including the doppler test, shockwave treatment and others while in Thailand. I paid for the diagnoses and gave the report to the urologist here in the UK of a venous leakage. In other words I got the tests and treatments done without any cost to the NHS.

Now I am making sure all these years of paying tax and NI contributions, while also paying for 80% of trying to fix the ED is now helped by the NHS.

I am 5 days post op. In all those days, I only took 3 Tylenol. I was virtually pain free during that time, and here on day 5, i am totally pain free. I iced heavily in the first 3 days and i have almost no swelling or bruising. I can already tell that i'm not going to lose any length. I fully expect to be in that 90%+ category...and YOU WILL BE TOO!

Excellent, that's so good to hear, and good on you.Very encouraging!

BTW I spend a lot of time in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. She wants to see this dick fixed more than me

[ThailandBound]

BTW I spend a lot of time in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. She wants to see this dick fixed more than me

I understand the attraction completely. They can melt your heart. And I’ve got a very special Cambodian lady, living in Thailand, who feels the very same way! I’m very much hoping that by week 10 (mid March) that everything is in working order at which time i’ll return to Thailand for the initial test-run!

[Pau1pau1]

That nurse is in the wrong department, she should just give you all the facts and not try to scare you.
If 40 mg doesn't work then 60 mg won't either , that amount is enough to give an elephant an erection.
I tried 80 and no different to 20, once you have have a serious venous leak there is no fixing it.
And one thing , you have the right to be referred to Ralph under the rules of the nhs, it may hurt their pride a bit , but tough luck.
Ralph has a poor bedside manner , as in he's not overly friendly, but he knows his shit.
Would I have a transplant done again???
In a heart beat !!
My 10 yr younger wife loves it also, it's brought us much closer together , like we was at the beginning of our relationship, sex is important and glues many relationships together.
You have no more options, bite the bullite you won't regret it, it may not be perfect, you may loose 1/2 inch , you may not, but your confidence will return, and that's what women find sexy.
Good luck

[Old Guy]

A nurse from my insurance called me before approving the surgery. She was mostly negative about the surgery, telling me if it fails/gets infected it could go all the way to amputation. Trying to talk me out of it I believe.

[jasainuk]

That nurse is in the wrong department, she should just give you all the facts and not try to scare you.
If 40 mg doesn't work then 60 mg won't either , that amount is enough to give an elephant an erection.
I tried 80 and no different to 20, once you have have a serious venous leak there is no fixing it.
And one thing , you have the right to be referred to Ralph under the rules of the nhs, it may hurt their pride a bit , but tough luck.
Ralph has a poor bedside manner , as in he's not overly friendly, but he knows his shit.
Would I have a transplant done again???
In a heart beat !!
My 10 yr younger wife loves it also, it's brought us much closer together , like we was at the beginning of our relationship, sex is important and glues many relationships together.
You have no more options, bite the bullite you won't regret it, it may not be perfect, you may loose 1/2 inch , you may not, but your confidence will return, and that's what women find sexy.
Good luck

Thanks for your reply and I apologize to the OP for taking over his post....

The nurse was really nice and helpful in one way but in another, she was completely wrong, and I know more about ED than her.
An example is she tried to educate me it is all about blood flow, and she really did not understand venous leakage at all.
As we know and I told her that a part of the erection process is for the blood to remain trapped in the penis once blood gets to it
and if it does not, It's because it is leaking, which is a different issue compared to arterial blood flow getting to it.

Like you say if 20mg doesn't work then your dick ain't working. A previous nurse that got me the VED and injections
told me about guys when they used to have the first injection in the hospital to teach patients how to inject was stuck leaving the hospital with rock-hard boners which is one reason that stopped doing it ---- I did not have that issue and wish I did.

I contacted the Sheffield nurse and she said I must get referred to Dr Ralph via my GP. I contacted my GP surgery and he has to call back to do a telephone appt with me where I will ask to be referred. I'm still on the Sheffield list of referrals to the consultant that does the implants but as the nurse said they are overrun with flu, covid, and whatever else, and nothing is moving too quickly there --- with other patients chasing up where they are on the list.

[jasainuk]

A nurse from my insurance called me before approving the surgery. She was mostly negative about the surgery, telling me if it fails/gets infected it could go all the way to amputation. Trying to talk me out of it I believe.

Aren't we lucky we get to read experiences and get info from this forum, otherwise some of these nurses and specialists would have us giving up the idea of having a sex life.

In fact, none of us want to go for an implant, and most of us s*** bricks thinking about having our dicks operated on.

Once we go requesting an implant -- encouragement and support would be more beneficial or at least a balanced view of the pros and cons,
rather than worst-case scenario cons.