Just implanted, Now Flying; TSA

[Kalidestroyer]

I was implanted 4 days ago by EID and will fly back cross country tomorrow. My penis is still sore and sutured. How to go through security? Should I go through that device where you raise your arms above head? Will that set off an alarm requiring further inspection? Will the inspection cause some TSA agent to harshly grope my fragile, just implanted, and still sutured penis? Any/all advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[Lost Sheep]

Ask the airline for a wheelchair escort. Not that you REALLY NEED it, but your rush from ticket counter to check-in and the ramps on and off the plane will be easier and you may be able to get more gentle handling from the TSA.

TSA is not likely to grope you, no matter what the scanner may say. The legal liability would be too great. If the scanner alarms (an unlikely event in any case unless your scanner is ultra-sensitive) you can ask to be wanded instead of touched. Ask for a supervisor if necessary. Always politely.

If they DO pat you down, remember to say, "OUCH!" Politely.

Frankly, I don't think you will have much problem with TSA. Sitting in the airplane seat is more likely to be the worst part of your experience, depending on how long your flight is.

[Lost Sheep]

I recall another member who posted this advice, but do not remember who.

My advice is focused on attitude.

I have been patted down even before my implant. Don't know why. Don't care, really.

If I did set of an alarm, I just consider that it is their alarm and they should deal with it. If it threatens to delay my flight/connection, ask for a supervisor and explain that I have a medical implant and if he wants to know more, a private screening would be appropriate. On the other hand, I really don't care if my fellow passengers suspect or know.

I also recall this story:

Tig Notaro (comedienne who has had a double mastectomy without reconstruction and also has short hair) has, as part of one of her routines, the story of one trip through TSA. Tig made quite a funny segment on her stand-up routine out of it.

The agents were unable to figure out if she was male or female. So, she was eventually patted down by both male and female agents (including the front of her pants) who finally got a supervisor involved. Tig never gave them a clue as to her gender and they were apparently too embarrassed to ask.

Her story of their confusion and consternation is hilarious (Be warned, Notaro's humor is a bit different than most can appreciate).

The point of the story is that you should maintain your sense of humor and also realize that theirs is just a job. If you can do something to lighten their day, so be it.

[ThailandBound]

Airline pilot here who travels constantly for both business and pleasure. I’ve been subjected to both the X-ray & metal detector countless times. Never had an issue even once. Even post surgery three days (i was not bandaged at three days).

Excellent advice above however about getting wheelchair assist. I did walk through the Houston airport on my return. Everything was ok, not particularly painful, just uncomfortable from the sensations of pressure, numbness, and general feeling of being fragile while surrounded by a crowd.

At a minimum, inform the gate agent that you’ve had recent surgery and ask if it would be ok if you boarded early with the first (elderly & infirmed) group. My agent didn’t hesitate to say yes. Avoids standing in line on the jet bridge and crunched up in the plane during boarding. I was glad i did that.

[Antonio1010]

I was implanted 4 days ago by EID and will fly back cross country tomorrow. My penis is still sore and sutured. How to go through security? Should I go through that device where you raise your arms above head? Will that set off an alarm requiring further inspection? Will the inspection cause some TSA agent to harshly grope my fragile, just implanted, and still sutured penis? Any/all advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Actually i asked the doctor. They may give me a document that I can always show to security if anyone ever question my implant during the body scan. Always better to be safe than sorry.

[Tokyo_123]

After I was implanted, went through the Bush Airport, Houston. The woman (black) who was on the scanner said something as "What is that?" and I responded "Just got a penile implant." The woman said loudly: "I'm just so done with this damn shit!" I just started laughing.

TSA took me to the back room. They were trying to be discreet, and I was like, I don't care, you can videotape it and display my pecker for the entire airport to see for all I care. TSA however was absolutely professional. They took samples and when I asked what they're looking for, they explained "explosives." I said I've not touched any explosive since July 4th, 1987.

All other times I've gone through airports, never an issue. Just that one time.

[Old Guy]

Your doc should give you a card showing you have a medical device implanted. I kept the card in my hand when going through the scanner. When the agents saw the card they asked, then the implant showed up on their screen about the time I answered.

[Kalidestroyer]

I went through JFK airport’s hold-hands-over-head screening device with no issues or requirement for wanding or check. On the way home. Thanks all for the help.

[googly3]

I suggest getting TSA pre check - apart from the obvious benefit of not standing in long lines and taking all of your electronics out, the other benefit is no X-Ray. They just waive the metal detector on you. I've heard Implantees being picked aside for a secondary check on this site before.

[October26]

I was implanted 4 days ago by EID and will fly back cross country tomorrow. My penis is still sore and sutured. How to go through security? Should I go through that device where you raise your arms above head? Will that set off an alarm requiring further inspection? Will the inspection cause some TSA agent to harshly grope my fragile, just implanted, and still sutured penis? Any/all advice would be appreciated. Thanks

I have had the implant for two years and last week was the first time I was asked about the implant by TSA. I fly regularly. There was no 'alarm' (sound) just a request to step aside for a pat-down. As soon as I figured out it was the implant area that was of interest, I leaned in and said I had an implant. The TSA agent was very professional: he smiled and nodded his head that he understood, patted down by belt line area all around and wished me a good day. There was no embarrassment at all. The TSA people must see this all the time. I suggest always taking you belt off so they know they are not focusing on that. This agent did not touch the groin area at all, something that I had done to me before the procedure in the early days of TSA.