Frustrated By Doc’s Implant Sizing Information

[Texas Otter]

Dr. Clavell in Houston did my revision and I got a great result. He is a volume implanter and he accepts Medicare.

[fucked0ne]

The way they measure the length is NOT against an erected or stretched penis. During the surgery they dilate the inner tubes then measure the length from within the dilated canals.
I used to be a grower too. My initial implant was done in Canada where I had to wait for about 2 years to get it done. During that time I was actively using a stretching device in the mornings and pumps in the evenings. This protocol allowed to reach the max length during op-time measurement. As a result, once I got an LGX, in a couple of months I was back to my full length, and maybe 1 or 2 mm more.

This is true. My distal measurement during the operation was a quarter longer than my stretched length. I think the stretching is probably just to get a general idea; also, I think we’re all a bit apprehensive about stretching our penises as hard as a stranger would. My doctor stretched the hell out of me during my pre-op exam, so much so I thought it was going to tear off.

[slc3755]

This may be a non starter, but are you on Medicare? I am on Medicare and the supplemental insurance that I have allows me to go to any doctor, anywhere. If you are on Medicare, can you wait until you can switch to a similar plan like I have. I seem to remember that the ability to travel out of state for treatment was not available with every Medicare plan that was available to me at the time.

[LGXDownunder]

...We can possibly provide more information if you can tell us more about yourself and the background that has gotten you to this point.
...But wait and see what happens after your procedure. It will take time before you know how it's going to impact you, if at all.

My history is this:

Due to being overprescribed opiates, and refused surgery for for herniated discs (at age 28,) my endocrine system shut down. I’ve been on injectable testosterone, Levothyroxine, 10mg daily of Tadalafil, and the use of a cock ring, to be able to maintain an erection firm enough for sex, for 24 years. I’m
52 now.

I’ve also used a penis pump for 4-5 years to maintain penile health.

I’ve spoken to two penile implant surgeons in Nebraska, and both say that NO ONE retains their original erect length. So either they are incompetent or misinformed (since a number of posters said that they DID eventually succeed in restoring their original erect length.)

I have called NUMEROUS hospitals and surgeons in neighboring states— Iowa, Kansas, Missouri— and I haven’t heard from ANY implant doc, ANYTHING OTHER than, “You will lose 1-2 inches after a prostatectomy, and possibly, after the use of a vaccuum device AND an implant, you can regain perhaps an inch.”

My insurance is Medicare Dual Complete, no private insurance, and no savings to pay out of pocket.

Supposedly “cutting edge surgeons” in New York and Florida have the best results with their patients, but they don’t accept Medicare.

Thanks for clarifying all of that. It puts a completely different perspective on things if you have already been suffering with ED long term.
After your prostatectomy it's possible that you will be no worse off than now, but an implant is life changing for treating ED in my own experience.

..both say that NO ONE retains their original erect length..

That's complete and utter BS in my experience and that of most implantees. It just needs correct measurement and installation, followed by good recovery and cycling regimes.

I did have some size loss from my prostatectomy but it wasn't too significant initially. Pre op I had expressed concern to my uro surgeon about losing length from that procedure. He told me that he pulls the bladder down to mitigate that, which should help prevent any permanent loss. According to my research it's actually a standard part of the procedure during a robotic, nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. The surgeon actively performs bladder mobilization (pulling or dropping the bladder down) specifically to create a tension-free vesicourethral anastomosis (rejoining the bladder and urethra).
In my case I started to lose further length because it took a while before I realized I needed to start VED therapy. My doc is not a great advocate for VEDs because he said too many guys complained about discomfort, so he stopped recommending them. He had me on Tadalafil for the ED, which basically did nothing. Once I started VED therapy I eventually gained back the length I'd lost.

You are already doing everything correctly to maintain penile health and size. Just need to find a competent surgeon who you have confidence in and accepts your insurance. The frustrating thing is that, even if you went with either of those you already consulted, you may well still get the results you hope for. But their bedside manner is extremely poor and unhelpful, which destroys any confidence in their ability.

Please don't give up brother. I'm sure there will be a solution if you keep trying. Are you able to get any help via your Medicare arrangement? Is there someone you can contact there for advice about seeking treatment outside your own state? I'm aware that the rules may be complex and have traps that need to be navigated. I read something about being able to prove that the specific skills are not available locally. In any case it does no harm to ask.