My implant journey June 2024
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2024 12:16 pm
Background Story: I’m 65 years old, retired chemical engineer. My 2nd wife is 60 years old. I developed ED around the time of the divorce with my 1st wife about 10 years ago. I initially tried Viagra, tadalafil which worked for a few years but the effect was dying down. Ended up testosterone therapy with minimal improvement. At the time, was deciding on injection therapy and decided to go that route. Similar was getting sick of doing the injections especially in a new relationship. Ended up finding franktalk which was a blessing. So much information direct from those who experience and live with this condition. So hard in my community and culture to talk about ED due to the negative stigma that I’ve never had anyone to give me real advice. I waited till recently (Medicare) to move forward with an implant. Thankfully in southern California we have quite a few “high-volume” surgeons. Based on my initial research I was leaning toward AMS device.
I first met with Dr. Yafi at UCI and then worked my way to Dr. Loh Doyle at USC and Dr. Patel at UCSD. I also did a virtual consultation with Dr. Blick in Arizona and Dr. Clavell in Houston. My wife and I had a good gut feeling about Dr. Patel so we decided to book surgery. I had my doubts initially if I was making the right decision about the implant, about the surgeon, leading up to the surgery. Had another pre-op appointment a few days before the implant and provided reassurance to move forward. I really tried hard to get all the details I could about the implant, technique, post-op, etc. Seems that many surgeons fall off in the post-op period or hand you off to an assistant, but Dr. Patel reassured me that he would see me in the two and four weeks after surgery in person for cycling.
I underwent surgery on 6/26 with Dr. Patel. He met with me right before the surgery, cleared up some questions, introduced me to one of his assistants, anesthesia doctor. Seems like the surgery took 1 hour based on the notes and I received a AMS CX 700 21 cm without rears, also a scrotoplasty to address webbing. Immediately afterwards I did not see the doctor but he spoke with my wife. I was very groggy. More soreness in the penis I think from the urine tube but not painful. Doctor recommended keeping in the urine tube for 24 hours. I ended up spending the night at the hospital just for convenience. No drains just a complicated wrapping and creative jock/pad setup. I was able to walk around the room that night and get out to the outdoor patio on the hospital ward that afternoon. Pain was surprisingly very managed. I thought it made sense to really stay on top of the pain aspect, but realized that wasn’t too bad on day 1. A lot of anxiety and regret immediately afterwards – (what did I just do, etc) but balanced with some excitement.
Day 1 – early wakeup at the hospital and was not able to get great sleep due to the nurses always coming in. Had my urine tube removed (quick but not pleasant), the dressing was removed, and got a final dose of intravenous antibiotics. There was some blood on the bandages but nothing crazy. The scrotum was a little swollen but not too much bruising. I was discharged by lunch. The surgeon had mentioned that he usually doesn’t prescribe any percocets or strong pain medicine, but because of my drive I requested some. My wife drove me home about 1.5 hours away. My scrotum felt every single bump in the road. I ended up folding two towels underneath each of my buttchecks to help. Wish I had a donut seat or something for the ride home. I stayed on the pain medication protocol recommended by the doctor. I continued to keep things tight, elevated, and ice pack. Slept like a baby this night at home. I did not actually up taking any of the stronger Percocet type medicine at all – just Tylenol alternating with ibuprofen.
Day 2 – pain was most intense (although maybe 4/10 at the worst in the morning – I think because I lapsed on the alternating medicines overnight). Tried to take a warm shower today which felt great, except on the penis head. The penis head was very sensitive. I used the babysock idea proposed on franktalk and that worked well. My implant was left partially up as discussed with the surgeon before surgery – and hard to conceal. Scrotum still more or less sore. Was able to get out to walk with the wife and dog in the neighborhood today. Applying a lot of triple antibiotic ointment to the incision as recommended.
Day 3-5 – I feel like every day the discomfort and swelling was slowly improving in the scrotum. The scrotoplasty looks good but feels a little tight and swollen – time will tell but everything is still all together and connect. I was instructed to start tugging on the pump just to get a feel of the pump in my scrotum. I didn’t really know if I was doing it right. Sent a patient message to the doctor, got a response later in the day about the specifics. Tried to wear double underwear technique with loose jogging pants over most of the day. Really tried to take it easy most of the days and try to get out for a walk twice a day in the neighborhood.
I’m now almost one week out from surgery. I would say it is in line with my expectations and what I had discussed with the surgeon on the two meeting before the surgery and day of surgery. I have my first post surgery check in one more week. Excited to get this thing deflated, but not sure if I’m ready to really start cycling since the scrotum and pump is still tender/sore. Constantly going through all the notes I've made from all the information I've obtained about the recovery and how to get the best outcome with this surgery. I’m still trying to do what I can to pull on the pump as instructed. Not out of the woods yet, but excited to share my journey with others to learn from my experience, just like I have.
-Peter
I first met with Dr. Yafi at UCI and then worked my way to Dr. Loh Doyle at USC and Dr. Patel at UCSD. I also did a virtual consultation with Dr. Blick in Arizona and Dr. Clavell in Houston. My wife and I had a good gut feeling about Dr. Patel so we decided to book surgery. I had my doubts initially if I was making the right decision about the implant, about the surgeon, leading up to the surgery. Had another pre-op appointment a few days before the implant and provided reassurance to move forward. I really tried hard to get all the details I could about the implant, technique, post-op, etc. Seems that many surgeons fall off in the post-op period or hand you off to an assistant, but Dr. Patel reassured me that he would see me in the two and four weeks after surgery in person for cycling.
I underwent surgery on 6/26 with Dr. Patel. He met with me right before the surgery, cleared up some questions, introduced me to one of his assistants, anesthesia doctor. Seems like the surgery took 1 hour based on the notes and I received a AMS CX 700 21 cm without rears, also a scrotoplasty to address webbing. Immediately afterwards I did not see the doctor but he spoke with my wife. I was very groggy. More soreness in the penis I think from the urine tube but not painful. Doctor recommended keeping in the urine tube for 24 hours. I ended up spending the night at the hospital just for convenience. No drains just a complicated wrapping and creative jock/pad setup. I was able to walk around the room that night and get out to the outdoor patio on the hospital ward that afternoon. Pain was surprisingly very managed. I thought it made sense to really stay on top of the pain aspect, but realized that wasn’t too bad on day 1. A lot of anxiety and regret immediately afterwards – (what did I just do, etc) but balanced with some excitement.
Day 1 – early wakeup at the hospital and was not able to get great sleep due to the nurses always coming in. Had my urine tube removed (quick but not pleasant), the dressing was removed, and got a final dose of intravenous antibiotics. There was some blood on the bandages but nothing crazy. The scrotum was a little swollen but not too much bruising. I was discharged by lunch. The surgeon had mentioned that he usually doesn’t prescribe any percocets or strong pain medicine, but because of my drive I requested some. My wife drove me home about 1.5 hours away. My scrotum felt every single bump in the road. I ended up folding two towels underneath each of my buttchecks to help. Wish I had a donut seat or something for the ride home. I stayed on the pain medication protocol recommended by the doctor. I continued to keep things tight, elevated, and ice pack. Slept like a baby this night at home. I did not actually up taking any of the stronger Percocet type medicine at all – just Tylenol alternating with ibuprofen.
Day 2 – pain was most intense (although maybe 4/10 at the worst in the morning – I think because I lapsed on the alternating medicines overnight). Tried to take a warm shower today which felt great, except on the penis head. The penis head was very sensitive. I used the babysock idea proposed on franktalk and that worked well. My implant was left partially up as discussed with the surgeon before surgery – and hard to conceal. Scrotum still more or less sore. Was able to get out to walk with the wife and dog in the neighborhood today. Applying a lot of triple antibiotic ointment to the incision as recommended.
Day 3-5 – I feel like every day the discomfort and swelling was slowly improving in the scrotum. The scrotoplasty looks good but feels a little tight and swollen – time will tell but everything is still all together and connect. I was instructed to start tugging on the pump just to get a feel of the pump in my scrotum. I didn’t really know if I was doing it right. Sent a patient message to the doctor, got a response later in the day about the specifics. Tried to wear double underwear technique with loose jogging pants over most of the day. Really tried to take it easy most of the days and try to get out for a walk twice a day in the neighborhood.
I’m now almost one week out from surgery. I would say it is in line with my expectations and what I had discussed with the surgeon on the two meeting before the surgery and day of surgery. I have my first post surgery check in one more week. Excited to get this thing deflated, but not sure if I’m ready to really start cycling since the scrotum and pump is still tender/sore. Constantly going through all the notes I've made from all the information I've obtained about the recovery and how to get the best outcome with this surgery. I’m still trying to do what I can to pull on the pump as instructed. Not out of the woods yet, but excited to share my journey with others to learn from my experience, just like I have.
-Peter