FrankTalk.org

Hey all,

A little background, 30-year-old male separating from USAF this DEC 23. I have been struggling with ED since 19yr old due to being overworked + family. I have only been able to have sex until now due to Cialis and diet change.
However the Cialis effects are waning and I don't get natural erections anymore, and when I do it's very weak (penetration not happening).
I am fit, my diet is great no other existing health problems except low testosterone (I got prescribed 100 mg xysoted and still nothing for libido/ drive etc)
I am considering going in for Malleable Tactra, not inflatable I don't want to deal with malfunctions, dog ears etc.
I just want to always be ready when needed and live my life with my spouse.
I've always been a shower (7 1/2 when erect), so the bulge wouldn't be a major issue for my situation
My question is due to my age, would a malleable implant be the way to go? Was looking at going with Tactra and going with Dr. Tariq Hakky, in ATL
My biggest concerns are nerves loss of length and girth, and recovery any advice is appreciated, very nervous about the decision.

TL/DR - Man about to leave USAF, aged 30- Cialis for 10+ years, losing effect - doesn't want 3 piece due to multiple issues/ infections - want mallable implant - will I lose size and how is recovery - located near Thomasville GA

I would suggest that a bulge from a relatively large flacid dick is a lot different from dealing with a permanent erection. 24/7/365. Choose your poison carefully.
I think Viagra is generally considered to be stronger than Cialis. You should try changing drugs first. Btw, if Viagra works? Try getting dressed & see how a permanent erection might be.

So you're separating from active duty soon? Are you wanting to get the implant while on active duty? I am also active duty USAF btw

moobiscuits wrote:Hey all,

A little background, 30-year-old male separating for USAF this DEC 23. I have been struggling with ED since 19yr old due to being overworked + family. I have only been able to have sex until now due to Cialis and diet change.
However the Cialis effects are waning and I don't get natural erections anymore, and when I do it's very weak (penetration not happening).
I am fit, my diet is great no other existing health problems except low testosterone (I got prescribed 100 mg xysoted and still nothing for libido/ drive etc)
I am considering going in for Malleable Tactra, not inflatable I don't want to deal with malfunctions, dog ears etc.
I just want to always be ready when needed and live my life with my spouse.
I've always been a shower (7 1/2 when erect), so the bulge wouldn't be a major issue for my situation
My question is due to my age, would a malleable implant be the way to go? Was looking at going with Tactra and going with Dr. Tariq Hakky, in ATL
My biggest concerns are nerves loss of length and girth, and recovery any advice is appreciated, very nervous about the decision.

TL/DR - Man about to leave USAF, aged 30- Cialis for 10+ years, losing effect - doesn't want 3 piece due to multiple issues/ infections - want mallable implant - will I lose size and how is recovery - located near Thomasville GA

When I separated (not retired) from USAF, I filled out the paperwork for disability for a few health issues. Getting a service-connected rating gets one access to the Veteran's Administration's services. Health care is one benefit I have appreciated well ever since. For example, hearing aids and my penile implant. And now, care for my prostate cancer. (Caveat: Some VA regions are better than others. But don't let that stop you from applying; if you are unlucky in your location now, you may not stay there forever.)

The choice of getting implanted before or after separation is probably off the table at this point. December is pretty close, but if you could get on a surgery schedule is doable. I was implanted by an active-duty urological surgeon at my local military hospital (through a cooperating agreement between the VA and the military). But it took me over a year to find a surgeon I could trust. Dr Shaw was not assigned to the base at the time I started my search. Finding a HIGHLY practiced surgeon is important.

As far as the choice between inflatable and malleable, you will have to decide, but remember you spend most of your time flaccid and a malleable is not ever truly comfortable (as I have read). With my AMS device, dog ears are not a problem at all. Malfunction/failure rates in the general population of implanted men are nowhere near the rates reported on FrankTalk. A significant portion of men who are successfully implanted do not participate here, so the statistics here are skewed toward those with problems.

At 7.5 inches, I predict a malleable will present stowage problems unless your body type is, like, 6 toot 5 inches. And deploying for urination a complexly choreographed exercise, and re-stowage even more difficult.

Size loss, if you have a good surgeon will be minimal. An inexperienced or timid surgeon may lose you some size and leave you with a less-than-optimally-usable erection (floppy head syndrome, etc). This can happen with either type of implant.

Good luck with your implant and your future career(s)

Gt1956 wrote:I would suggest that a bulge from a relatively large flacid dick is a lot different from dealing with a permanent erection. 24/7/365. Choose your poison carefully.
I think Viagra is generally considered to be stronger than Cialis. You should try changing drugs first. Btw, if Viagra works? Try getting dressed & see how a permanent erection might be.

Thanks for the reply ,

I have tried Viagra and same effect, I've had a groin injury before while on deployment and had to hike my boxer briefs up to heal and move around. I'm used to wearing my briefs even with an erection, I also work in a suit and have baggy pants, as long as i can move it to the side, I hope itll be okay.

I couldnt quite understand if you were active duty or not still.

Personally, I would not ever mess with getting an implant while there is a possibility of going back to active duty. Malleable or 3 piece, my decision would be the same. Its a whole different ball game having a device in your dick 24/7.

While I generally advocate for the implants for most guys who have no other options, this scenario is different. I'm just trying to imagine trying to be doing "military stuff" with an implant, especially a large one, and I just dont see it going well.

Maybe my perception of things is wrong, but I'd advocate waiting to be completely done with military stuff and then look at getting one.

wolfpacker wrote:So you're separating from active duty soon? Are you wanting to get the implant while on active duty? I am also active duty USAF btw

Apologies, I am separating from active duty in DEC this year due to other medical issues regarding my leg injuries, and I plan to get the surgery after my time, sometime next year once I find the best fit.

Lost Sheep wrote:

moobiscuits wrote:Hey all,

A little background, 30-year-old male separating for USAF this DEC 23. I have been struggling with ED since 19yr old due to being overworked + family. I have only been able to have sex until now due to Cialis and diet change.
However the Cialis effects are waning and I don't get natural erections anymore, and when I do it's very weak (penetration not happening).
I am fit, my diet is great no other existing health problems except low testosterone (I got prescribed 100 mg xysoted and still nothing for libido/ drive etc)
I am considering going in for Malleable Tactra, not inflatable I don't want to deal with malfunctions, dog ears etc.
I just want to always be ready when needed and live my life with my spouse.
I've always been a shower (7 1/2 when erect), so the bulge wouldn't be a major issue for my situation
My question is due to my age, would a malleable implant be the way to go? Was looking at going with Tactra and going with Dr. Tariq Hakky, in ATL
My biggest concerns are nerves loss of length and girth, and recovery any advice is appreciated, very nervous about the decision.

TL/DR - Man about to leave USAF, aged 30- Cialis for 10+ years, losing effect - doesn't want 3 piece due to multiple issues/ infections - want mallable implant - will I lose size and how is recovery - located near Thomasville GA

When I separated (not retired) from USAF, I filled out the paperwork for disability for a few health issues. Getting a service-connected rating gets one access to the Veteran's Administration's services. Health care is one benefit I have appreciated well ever since. For example, hearing aids and my penile implant. And now, care for my prostate cancer. (Caveat: Some VA regions are better than others. But don't let that stop you from applying; if you are unlucky in your location now, you may not stay there forever.)

The choice of getting implanted before or after separation is probably off the table at this point. December is pretty close, but if you could get on a surgery schedule is doable. I was implanted by an active-duty urological surgeon at my local military hospital (through a cooperating agreement between the VA and the military). But it took me over a year to find a surgeon I could trust. Dr Shaw was not assigned to the base at the time I started my search. Finding a HIGHLY practiced surgeon is important.

As far as the choice between inflatable and malleable, you will have to decide, but remember you spend most of your time flaccid and a malleable is not ever truly comfortable (as I have read). With my AMS device, dog ears are not a problem at all. Malfunction/failure rates in the general population of implanted men are nowhere near the rates reported on FrankTalk. A significant portion of men who are successfully implanted do not participate here, so the statistics here are skewed toward those with problems.

At 7.5 inches, I predict a malleable will present stowage problems unless your body type is, like, 6 toot 5 inches. And deploying for urination a complexly choreographed exercise, and re-stowage even more difficult.

Size loss, if you have a good surgeon will be minimal. An inexperienced or timid surgeon may lose you some size and leave you with a less-than-optimally-usable erection (floppy head syndrome, etc). This can happen with either type of implant.

Good luck with your implant and your future career(s)

Thanks for the reply and advice, it means alot. I'm in the process of screening possible doctors and preparing my VA claim package (ed is definitely documented) I'm glad the VA covers the implant. I appreciate the real-world check-up of how this site( as great as it has been to find and read other stories) is not the majority of the population that has gone through with the implant and haven't told us how theirs went. Can you share why you chose the AMS , and if you had any issues so far? thanks !

moobiscuits wrote:(edited for focus)
Can you share why you chose the AMS , and if you had any issues so far? thanks !

Dealer's choice. My surgeon suggested AMS LGX (and two others I interviewed suggested the same). I also believe that the VA contract did not cover Coloplast devices. You ARE familiar with GSA, right?

At my size (penis size), it could have been a toss-up as a 21cm implant is long enough that the greater stability of the larger diameter of the Coloplast Titan gives an edge in column strength (resistance to buckling). But the Coloplast is definitely overkill (over-engineered) for sex.

I would probably have opted for the AMS LGX anyway. I have always been a grower and the LGX shortens when deflated and lengthens during inflation. The difference in size between flaccid and erect is not nearly as much as my difference was before implant and before ED, but is still familiar enough. I had done a LOT of study of implants (and surgeons).

The story of how I found my surgeon is a long one, but just let me say I took 14 months to get my "ducks in a row" and select a surgeon. I am not unhappy that I did my due diligence. He accepted me as a peer in my medical care decision-making team.

The only issue I have with the installation is the pump is below my left testicle, causing it "hide" atop the valve body and the pump bulb to bulge out the left side of my scrotum. Only a cosmetic problem. The bulge is clearly visible if I am wearing snug, form-fitting briefs.

I have had my implant since 2017 and six years (less two weeks) later it still works admirably, as well as the first time I used it (once my initial recovery period was over).

moobiscuits wrote:Hey all,

A little background, 30-year-old male separating from USAF this DEC 23. I have been struggling with ED since 19yr old due to being overworked + family. I have only been able to have sex until now due to Cialis and diet change.
However the Cialis effects are waning and I don't get natural erections anymore, and when I do it's very weak (penetration not happening).
I am fit, my diet is great no other existing health problems except low testosterone (I got prescribed 100 mg xysoted and still nothing for libido/ drive etc)
I am considering going in for Malleable Tactra, not inflatable I don't want to deal with malfunctions, dog ears etc.
I just want to always be ready when needed and live my life with my spouse.
I've always been a shower (7 1/2 when erect), so the bulge wouldn't be a major issue for my situation
My question is due to my age, would a malleable implant be the way to go? Was looking at going with Tactra and going with Dr. Tariq Hakky, in ATL
My biggest concerns are nerves loss of length and girth, and recovery any advice is appreciated, very nervous about the decision.

TL/DR - Man about to leave USAF, aged 30- Cialis for 10+ years, losing effect - doesn't want 3 piece due to multiple issues/ infections - want mallable implant - will I lose size and how is recovery - located near Thomasville GA

Hey Moobiscuits, I'm a fellow Air Force veteran also, I retired in 1999. I started having ED issues in my early 40's after I retired, this was at the infant stage of Viagra introduction and it worked great for a good while. The pharmacy folks use to call it Blue Diamonds and I bet it was super expensive in those days, then the Air Force went to Cialis while I was in my early 50's which worked well also but in my early 60's it was hit and miss with either Viagra or Cialis.
I never used injections, I'm sort of glad because from the FT forum info that I've read, they caused scaring and possible PD.
I had my implant done at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Tx which is one of the premier military hospitals in the nation, maybe even the best. I had total ED after I had a Boston Scientific Rezum procedure done on my benign enlarged prostrate, but I had already started talking to my urologist about going to the implant.
At the beginning he was going to install the Boston Scientific AMS 700 CX because it is stiffer, but during surgery the Boston Scientific representative and my Doc decided that the AMS 700 LGX would work better in my situation, to help me gain some length back.
There were other urologist surgeons at BAMC that used the coloplast implant but they never talked to me about that product.
I'm sort of glad that I got the LGX, because it is softer material and I haven't had any problems with dog ears or crinkles in the tubes.
I have a average size Dick, I got the 18cm with 3cm rear tip extenders, after about 6 weeks I was only around 5.5 inches but now at two years out I'm back to 6 1/4 inches. I'm very happy that I got the implant. It's been a blessing to have great sex again and not worry about pills, when to take pills, will the pills work, will I stay hard enough the whole time we are having sex.
I would definitely do it again; if you separate and go with the VA, maybe they will give you a referral to see a local urologist in your area. I'm not sure they would let you go to a high volume Doc, but who knows until you ask.
So, you're probably stationed at Moody Air Force Base, I'm not familiar with any of the VA hospitals over there even though I was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in the late 80's in the Florida panhandle.
I hope that my journey has helped give you more info to make a decision, but it's up to you.

Good Luck!
S-Works