Will I go Bionic?

[David_Webb]

I’ve been lurking for a few weeks now and felt it was time to post a thanks for all who have shared their stories and been so candid about deciding and living with the bionic life.

I have my first appointment with a new urologist that offers the implants at the end of April and I’m nervous and excited. Nervous he will not approve me for the implant right away as I’ve already made my decision to proceed with either the AMS or Titan. My main fear is that being a new patient he will want to work through the other options prior to moving forward on the implant.

I’m 42 and I’ve had ED since my early 20’s when my first urologist prescribed Viagra which worked to some extent for a few years but I always had severe congestion, headache, flushing, backaches, and nausea during or after taking the pill. Tried the other pills as they came out but still had the same issues with a dose high enough dose to work. I tried using pumps and rings in my 30’s and never really had a healthy sex life and gave up in my 30’s. I remained single for a decade figuring nothing else could be done and never returned to seek treatment.

I fell into a new relationship a couple years ago with an extremely patient woman that I decided to go back onto Viagra thanks to my PCP, to try and have a productive sex life wih but have been right back to the side effects and limited success. She heard about the implant and tactfully asked if I had considered it as an option but I had never heard of it before.. I guess I lived under a rock or something. I felt angry that my previous urologist and my PCP never informed me this was an option and were content with prescribing me pills I told them didn’t always work and gave me terrible side effects on and off for 20 years.

Where I am at now is hopeful... I’ve called my insurance and the procedure is covered should the new urologist submit to the procedure. My appointment is coming in 5 weeks and I’m on the cancellation list should something open up for my first visit. Reading the posts I am leaning towards the Titan over the AMS but will be open to the doctors recomendations. I’ve read quite a bit of the threads here and the support you guys give is reassuring for something so terrifying. I’ve had a few nightmares of my pillar being accidentally cutoff during implant surgery... no fun!

I guess my only question is about my first meeting with the urologist... I feel I am a good candidate and have been trying all of the things that would be required prior to thinking about the implant option except for the injections. I really don’t want to try anything else when it sounds like the implant is the best solution and would be the end of the 20+ years of trying to fix whatever is wrong with the plumbing.

Looking forward to the road ahead and hopefully joining the bionic bunch... thanks again for sharing all the info and being so candid throughout your own process.

JB

[Johnny]

Make a list of questions you might have and be sure to ask them, can't go back after it's done, I have no regrets, my surgery went very well and I'm very pleased, I'm sure you will make right decision.

[jackhammerdreamz]

First impressions are important. Take away from it how the urologist makes you feel.
If they're warm and comforting, if they listen to you, have lots of ideas for you, suggestions on test they want to run, those are great things.
If the urologist is cold and rushed and doesn't listen or seem to care about you, huge red flags to go somewhere else.

I was very nervous about coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield only covers it if there is a physical ailment.
My surgeon never ran any tests. He felt my penis, and my "undercarriage" said there was some scarring that would cause Venous Leakage.
He or his team called my insurance after submitting the request for surgery, they went to bat for me.
That's the big thing. We as patients don't hold weight with insurance.
Doctors can use the big words, and have the knowledge that insurance will listen to.

I got the call a week later that my implant would be covered at 85% or something like that.
I have a bill of $1200 to pay (should probably get to that before they repo it!) The $70k was absorbed by my insurance woot!

Gain knowledge from this site, use that to formulate questions for the urologist.
Vagabond has done a great job with his posts and questions I would search for him and look through his posts to start.

It's a hell of a road but you're on a good path.

We wish you all the best!!!

[Johnny]

Write down of questions you have and don't be afraid to ask, after meeting with dr. Called back a couple of times with more questions before making decision

[williamb]

There is a thread on here somewhere that has a list of questions that may or may not be good to ask your Dr. but at the least it will get you familiar with the questions and answers before you go in.

[Anonymous3]

Agree with the questions and if you get the warm fuzzy or cold prickly. The only thing you have not tried is the injections, the implant is the last resort most insurance will pay. I know my shitty GEHA will not.

Dr like informed not pushy demanding patients. You are forming a partnership. Take your partner with you. Let her ask questions also. If possible either here or with the paitient educator find some local for a show and tell for both of you, her talking to wife or girlfriend of a bionic would be good for her

[Donnie1954]

David
Find someone for a show and tell. Most implanted guys would be glad to ease any apprehension you have and answer any questions about an implant. I loved doing a show and tell. I have no hangups about a guy seeing how an implant feels and works. Wish I could still do them but no privacy here but I will gladly answer any questions. PM anytime.
Donnie

.

[Smetro]

I love mine...... no way would I go back.......and if it fails one day I will run to get to my surgeon........and it would be longer and even thicker...

[Captn20]

First impressions are important. Take away from it how the urologist makes you feel.
If they're warm and comforting, if they listen to you, have lots of ideas for you, suggestions on test they want to run, those are great things.
If the urologist is cold and rushed and doesn't listen or seem to care about you, huge red flags to go somewhere else.

I was very nervous about coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield only covers it if there is a physical ailment.
My surgeon never ran any tests. He felt my penis, and my "undercarriage" said there was some scarring that would cause Venous Leakage.
He or his team called my insurance after submitting the request for surgery, they went to bat for me.
That's the big thing. We as patients don't hold weight with insurance.
Doctors can use the big words, and have the knowledge that insurance will listen to.

I got the call a week later that my implant would be covered at 85% or something like that.
I have a bill of $1200 to pay (should probably get to that before they repo it!) The $70k was absorbed by my insurance woot!

Gain knowledge from this site, use that to formulate questions for the urologist.
Vagabond has done a great job with his posts and questions I would search for him and look through his posts to start.

It's a hell of a road but you're on a good path.

We wish you all the best!!!

Was your implant $70K?! I got an "estimate" from one surgeon I was considering and the hospital staff said $28-30k. I'm bringing it up because I'm going out of my insurance "network" and have to pay a portion out of pocket. What's the typical cost?

[Donnie1954]

My total bill was 94,000. The implant alone was 21,000. My insurance and ministers discount left around 800. It's different if you have insurance. Real different.
Donnie
Donnie