T-6 days...

[stmcknig]

Glad to have found this forum group )

I'm 62 and 20 years of diabetic battling and cardiac issues have done their ED number on me for the past five years I guess. Tried the usual oral meds route with limited success unless the dosage started to cause vision disturbances, then progressed to Caverject and Trimix. Sticking myself with needles for insulin and having someone stick them in my eyeballs for retina stability didn't phase me as much as it would have done in my younger years but again, mixed success even with 20mg dose of Caverject and 50 on the Trimix.

So to battle I went with the insurance company to prove my case of medical necessity after spending some time thinking maybe being a celibate monk was an alternative lifestyle choice. Initial denial but approved on appeal once my urologist, endocrinologist and cardiologist weighed in with their medical notes. Stupid really as the insurance company already had all that information from claims history. But this year my deductible is met so its on their dime.

Consultation with Bryan Kansas in Austin and next Tuesday I'm scheduled for surgery for the AMS LGX. Not going to lie, as someone who only had stent surgery (and I was out of it in the ER so only really woke up after the fact with little memory), the imagination is running wild. I'm trying to stay away from the reschedule button )

So gents who have already traveled this path, any hindsight tips and tricks you would care to pass along for post op ? Dr Kansas said I will hate him a few days after, and there have been some eye watering photos of purple penises. I've been on Xarelto since the stent in April 2023 and stopped that last week. So hoping the bruising isn't going to be too brutal.

I like Dr Kansas manner, so hoping he's done enough of them that there aren't any hiccups. I see a number of comments about losing size, but I think I am in the mindset of a working one of any reasonable size is better than a limp noodle.

Wish me luck and please share....

[Gt1956]

My experience was pretty good. Staff was cheerful & upbeat. Of course it was early in the morning & maybe they were full of coffee. To them its business as usual & maybe they knew of patients nerves. But I think if they've been a functional team for a few years then the work flow is better. I think your dr just has a joking personality. Staff gives recovery instructions.

I know others may differ. Pain is a strange thing. Some react worse than others. Be sure to buy a good sized bottle of ibuprofen & acetaminophen. Just do it, they're cheap. Those two are the only otc pain meds that can be mixed together. Take the listed dose of each on an alternating basis. You're better off pre treating pain. Once it starts it takes time to knock it back. You won't like it. In my case, I had a few pain meds from some dental work in case things got bad. As I remember days 5 & 6 were my worst. The recovery nurse set me up with a dispoable ice bag. At the last minute she gave me a second one. Woman was an angel.

Think like you're preparing for an invasion. In your mind walk thru every scenario & prepare for it. Extra stuff can be returned if not needed. My wife drove us to our vacation condo. Less crowded there & we just hunkered down. Get some entertainment lined up. Movies, books whatever to keep your mind busy.

My dr reccomends keeping keeping your penis as vertical as possible. This is to allow your body to form a capsule so you have a decent erection angle. I bought a jock strap & packed rolled up wash clothes under me to keep my penis up.

Remember, to the best of my knowledge implant surgery hasn't killed anyone. You will survive. My recovery wasn't bad, but not as easy as some have reported. Walk a little, it helps. I think I was driving 2 days later. Good luck, its worth it.

[Rider1400]

Ice ice ice is your friend! I had a very easy recovery with little swelling and little bruising so prob not the person to ask. My biggest take on this is go into it with a positive attitude! Mental preparation is key. You’ve done your homework so put it in the Drs hands and get your mind right to accept this and get thru the first few weeks then the first few months and then the rest is a walk. Expect swelling, soreness and some purple bruising. This is normal as is about anything else you’ll go thru.

[Taggart423]

Good Luck!!

I am getting implanted next week in Houston.

[Motorheadrulz]

Get you some Tucks medicated pads or witch hazel. I had a painful razor burn on my scrotum from the prep work and it getting stuck to my thigh. As soon as you can shower, clean the area really good, then wipe your thigh and scrotum with the med pads. A little lotion helps.
I also opted to sleep in my recliner for a couple days- it was much easier to get in and out of than a bed.

Ignore your post-op length and girth. It's irrelevant until you start cycling, and it will only piss you off when they unwrap your rascal for the wound check. Everyone on this forum recommends a ~1 yr rehab anyway. A little gauze pad at the penal-scrotal incision will help keep things clean and dry.

Good luck and embrace the suck...

MHR

[HikerMan]

Glad to have found this forum group )

I'm 62 and 20 years of diabetic battling and cardiac issues have done their ED number on me for the past five years I guess. Tried the usual oral meds route with limited success unless the dosage started to cause vision disturbances, then progressed to Caverject and Trimix. Sticking myself with needles for insulin and having someone stick them in my eyeballs for retina stability didn't phase me as much as it would have done in my younger years but again, mixed success even with 20mg dose of Caverject and 50 on the Trimix.

So to battle I went with the insurance company to prove my case of medical necessity after spending some time thinking maybe being a celibate monk was an alternative lifestyle choice. Initial denial but approved on appeal once my urologist, endocrinologist and cardiologist weighed in with their medical notes. Stupid really as the insurance company already had all that information from claims history. But this year my deductible is met so its on their dime.

Consultation with Bryan Kansas in Austin and next Tuesday I'm scheduled for surgery for the AMS LGX. Not going to lie, as someone who only had stent surgery (and I was out of it in the ER so only really woke up after the fact with little memory), the imagination is running wild. I'm trying to stay away from the reschedule button )

So gents who have already traveled this path, any hindsight tips and tricks you would care to pass along for post op ? Dr Kansas said I will hate him a few days after, and there have been some eye watering photos of purple penises. I've been on Xarelto since the stent in April 2023 and stopped that last week. So hoping the bruising isn't going to be too brutal.

I like Dr Kansas manner, so hoping he's done enough of them that there aren't any hiccups. I see a number of comments about losing size, but I think I am in the mindset of a working one of any reasonable size is better than a limp noodle.

Wish me luck and please share....

Congratulations on your decision.

It's a decision I made almost two years ago and I have. Zero regrets.

The biggies....
1. Ice. -use it religiously.
2. Cleanliness -disinfect your house top to bottom, especially your bathroom. You do NOT want an infection.
3. Relax-Expect to lay low for the first 5-8 days.
You will be very sore and there will be a level of pain you have to deal with.

*Stay ahead of the pain*
You will be given heavyduty painkillers -do not be afraid to use them.

Use this forum to your advantage.
ANY questions you have will be answered by at least one of us.

You will be one of us shortly.
Welcome aboard.

[Old Guy]

Congrats on taking this step. It is a very difficult one for us guys to finally commit to. Once healed and the implant is working as it should many say it is the best thing they have done, for themself and their partner.
The anesthesia kept me pretty dazed the first three days. It was pain pills and nap on the couch.
Stock the pantry and fridge but keep food delivery places in your phone list.
When you do your consult with the surgeon ask any and all questions you have. Don't be shy because they have heard it all many times. If you don't like the answers or don't feel comfortable with the doc, it's time to look for another surgeon.

[stmcknig]

Thanks guys I appreciate each and every comment and support.

I'm going to go out on a limb and ask the DUMB question, because I have seen some contradictory reports of ice vs heat. What am I icing and when/for how long after ? I have some of those gel-packs in the freezer, I assume nobody uses actual ice much these days. Or do I need to stock up on frozen peas too )

I feel good with my surgeon, Dr Kansas, I think he's got a pretty high track record in the area. It's just that stepping off the ledge hesitation I am sure you can all relate. If anybody here has been through Dr Kansas' team in North Austin, I'd be glad to hear either open or DM. I've also read some folks did some vacuuming (not of the house!) before surgery but with only a week to go that seems unlikely to change anything. As to infections, obviously I am wary my diabetes can make things more complicated, although I understand Dr Kansas phones in a course of antibiotics the weekend before surgery to get things in the system pre-emptively.

Thanks for the tips on the post anaesthesia (when I had my stent done it was fentanyl sedation so I think I wasn't totally KO but I remember nothing); I guess my nightmare is waking up and finding out they ran into a "snag" during the operation and nothing happened.

Oh one more dumb question - anybody have a vasectomy after the implant ? Did the extra "ball" cause complications ? Anybody have it done at the same time "while you're down there" ?

[HikerMan]

Thanks guys I appreciate each and every comment and support.

I'm going to go out on a limb and ask the DUMB question, because I have seen some contradictory reports of ice vs heat. What am I icing and when/for how long after ? I have some of those gel-packs in the freezer, I assume nobody uses actual ice much these days. Or do I need to stock up on frozen peas too )

I feel good with my surgeon, Dr Kansas, I think he's got a pretty high track record in the area. It's just that stepping off the ledge hesitation I am sure you can all relate. If anybody here has been through Dr Kansas' team in North Austin, I'd be glad to hear either open or DM. I've also read some folks did some vacuuming (not of the house!) before surgery but with only a week to go that seems unlikely to change anything. As to infections, obviously I am wary my diabetes can make things more complicated, although I understand Dr Kansas phones in a course of antibiotics the weekend before surgery to get things in the system pre-emptively.

Thanks for the tips on the post anaesthesia (when I had my stent done it was fentanyl sedation so I think I wasn't totally KO but I remember nothing); I guess my nightmare is waking up and finding out they ran into a "snag" during the operation and nothing happened.

Oh one more dumb question - anybody have a vasectomy after the implant ? Did the extra "ball" cause complications ? Anybody have it done at the same time "while you're down there" ?

"What am I icing and when/for how long after ?"

For me, it was painful in the shaft and tip of the penis.
I went the infra-pubic route so there was no bruising or swelling in the testicles or sack.
So I would "Ice on -Ice Off" about every 20 minutes.
I simply took frozen ice cubes in a large ziplock bag and sat them directly on my unit then took them off again after 3-4 minutes .
Luckily for me, the pain subsided relatively quickly and I only had to do that the first 3 days or so.

After that it was Tylenol and rest.

As for heat-thats something I never did.
Sorry, it was only ice that I applied.

I never had a vasectomy because my prostatectomy made me sterile anyway.
I really don't think they would perform that surgery on you during your implant.

Thats a whole new financial ballgame.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.

[stmcknig]

Well I’m out of surgery. Honestly one moment I was on the gurney heading to the OR and next thing I remember coming round in recovery being told all went well. Seeing Dr Kansas tomorrow to get drain and bandages removed. So far mild aches in balls but nothing awful.

Fingers crossed…