For those over 1 year with implant: How often do you inflate? Just for use or more often?

[Quincy]

My doctor gave me solid input regarding cycling (inflating) for the first 6 months to a year, especially if I wanted to see some growth. He told me to inflate 4 times a day, for a half hour each. I did that for about 6 months, but only sporadically after that. I still try to cycle it up several times a week, though usually not more than once a day. I don't know if there is any medical reason to cycle it for anything but use.

I have heard that most men get erections multiple times a day (often during sleep) before ED, but I don't know if men with implants would get any benefit from being erect frequently.

I have also heard that you should "use" your erection and ejaculate somewhat frequently for good prostate health. No idea if this still applies for men with implants, or for those, like me, with irradiated prostates. Thoughts?

Quincy

[Txagq8]

17 months in.

I had a visit to the urologist last week. It was time to renew my TRT, look at my PSA (1.0 at age 65), evaluate my blood donation schedule (test C shots tend to jazz up my red blood cell count) and get the finger up the butt.

They also asked how I was liking the implant.

I told them the loss of length (less than 1/4”) wasn’t bad but I did miss the 1/2” of girth (from 6” to 5 1/2”). I told them I was doing my best to wear this one out as quick as I could and maybe try a Titan next time for it’s alleged better girth properties.

They were glad to hear I was using it (a lot) but reminded me to keep cycling. Pump until I feel some stretch was the advice I received.

On a different question (which some guys on here told me to ask next Urology visit) the P A couldn’t give me an answer as to why I ended up with a nice, natural looking upward curve after IPP. His best guess it was a combination of my anatomy, the size of the implant components (18+5), location of tubing, and luck that caused my end result to look like what I had beforehand.

[FMLFML85]

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[strongagain]

Daily 2-3 hours. When in bed before going up.

[dg_moore]

I got a Titan in 2008 but never used it due to health issues (see my signature). In the intervening years I inflated it every few months for a couple of minutes and until last September it showed no sign of problems. I have no idea why it quit working, but I nonetheless don't think there is any reason to worry about frequency of inflation.

[oldbeek]

I pump it up every other day or so just to admire it. I don't know how pumping it up would be the same as natural blood flow prior to ED. I have also wondered if the blood flow thing is needed now.

[Lunatech]

I'm just over 2 years and I usually pump at least once a day if nothing else just to enjoy the fact I can get an erection now. Sometimes I just walk around the house fully pumped and that usually leads to more enjoyable activities with my wife . Being able to get an erection and keep it as long as desired it one of the best feelings in the world.

I pumped much more frequently in the first year and got back all my size so early on I do think pumping frequently early on helps. Also I pump fully and after about 5 minutes I try to "top it off" by trying to pump a little more. Not sure if this does anything or not but I know I'm rock hard so there's that LOL.

[Old Guy]

About 18 months out from my implant. Cycling was something I was unaware of until I found FT at 5 months post. My uro just told me to go home and "use it". I didn't cycle for 5 months following surgery, and lost maybe an inch in length. A reaction to the antibiotics also kept me from inflating often as it would cause a sunburned sensation along my shaft. Basically until the 6th month I inflated for sex only, then that sensation went away. Then I began to cycle daily, after 2 months the only gain was about 1/8" in length.
These days I live with what I got, and happy to get an erection. Still able to make the wife happy and that's what counts.
It's once a week now for sex with the wife, and usually once a week to masturbate.

[Lost Sheep]

About 18 months out from my implant. Cycling was something I was unaware of until I found FT at 5 months post. My uro just told me to go home and "use it". I didn't cycle for 5 months following surgery, and lost maybe an inch in length. A reaction to the antibiotics also kept me from inflating often as it would cause a sunburned sensation along my shaft. Basically until the 6th month I inflated for sex only, then that sensation went away. Then I began to cycle daily, after 2 months the only gain was about 1/8" in length.
These days I live with what I got, and happy to get an erection. Still able to make the wife happy and that's what counts.
It's once a week now for sex with the wife, and usually once a week to masturbate.

Please read this thread (if you have not seen it before)

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16509

and print out and share this article with your surgeon.

This article refers to the differences that early activation (EA) vs no early activation (NEA) of the inflatable prosthesis
Title" Pseudo-capsule “coffin” effect: How to prevent penile retraction after implant of three-piece inflatable prosthesis
Authors: Enrico Caraceni, Lilia Utizi, Giovanni Angelozzi; Department of Urology, Civitanova Marche Hospital, Italy.
Short Summary: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25017596
Longer summary: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25017596
with this sentence: "The result is a penis bigger in flaccid state but smaller in erect phase, when early activation is not performed"
Full article: https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... prosthesis

This article was obviously translated from the original Italian, so there may be some grammar issues to overlook.

And this thread might be of interest: "Over what timespan does Scar Tissue form post-op? (And can it be reversed)?"
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11379&p=97430

I believe your surgeon may have done you a disservice by not informing you about the advantages of regular inflation of your implant (and the benefits of pre-implant erections by Vacuum Erection Device - no constriction ring, just for therapy).

If you inform your surgeon of that omission, you may benefit future patients.

[will1948]

I cycle 4 to 5 times per week for about 45 minutes. Sex maybe once every 2 weeks. I enjoy having a full erection anytime I want it. Glad to be away from the pills and injections.

Normal size has almost fully returned.