Friday 14th, Joining the Bionic Brotherhood

[roninhouston]

After waiting several months for the insurance's approval I got it and my doctor's next available date was this Friday. I took it.

I have been lurking here for several months, trying to absorb the wealth of information you were sharing. I probably read most of the questions and answers, so thanks for your help.

I have some questions you can answer, my doctor is going to answer these questions but it would be interesting to see what the real world has experienced:

How much time should the I take off from work post-op?

What medications are prescribed post-op for pain?

What activity restrictions will I have post-op and for how long (e.g. limitations on lifting weights, driving, etc.)?

Note: I walk 30 minutes, ride a bike 4 miles and exercise on strength/cardio machines 4 to 5 days a week?

Dr. Cornell plans on a AMS CX IPP device, how much are the cylinders left inflated immediately after surgery
(empty, partial inflation, full inflation). For how long?

Can the IPP device be deflated upon my return to work; if not, how is the inflated penis best concealed?

How long will I need to have my penis pointed up post-op?

When do I begin to cycle the IPP?

Do I need to return to the office for removal of sutures post-op or can the sutures be removed by me? When?

What OTC meds do I need for the incision? Itching? Ointment? Stool Softner?

Do I need to wear a pad over the incision?

We scheduled a follow up visit, how often thereafter will I come into the office?

What is the post-op recovery time for incision, first pump up, and first intercourse?

Does the Dr. Cornell place the pump in the final scrotal location or do I manipulate the pump post-operatively into a scrotal position?
=============================
Thanks for your responses in advance.

[Brad89]

After waiting several months for the insurance's approval I got it and my doctor's next available date was this Friday. I took it.

I have been lurking here for several months, trying to absorb the wealth of information you were sharing. I probably read most of the questions and answers, so thanks for your help.

I have some questions you can answer, my doctor is going to answer these questions but it would be interesting to see what the real world has experienced:

How much time should the I take off from work post-op?
I had my surgery done on July 29, I took 2 weeks off, but I felt as though i could have gone back 2 or 4 days ago.

What medications are prescribed post-op for pain?
Your doctor should prescribe you a narcotic pain killer, and an antibiotic.

What activity restrictions will I have post-op and for how long (e.g. limitations on lifting weights, driving, etc.)?
You can not drive the day of the surgery due to the anesthesia, there are no restrictions after that, as far as exercise and weight lifting, my doctor told me not to lift anything over 15lbs for a week or so. I walked 18 holes on Friday, which was 9 days post surgery, and i had no issues at all.

Note: I walk 30 minutes, ride a bike 4 miles and exercise on strength/cardio machines 4 to 5 days a week?

Dr. Cornell plans on a AMS CX IPP device, how much are the cylinders left inflated immediately after surgery
(empty, partial inflation, full inflation). For how long?
Every surgeon is different, this is a question he will have to answer.

Can the IPP device be deflated upon my return to work; if not, how is the inflated penis best concealed?
I am about 20% inflated, I have just been tucking it down my leg on one side or the other, conceals it pretty well but there is still a minor bulge.

How long will I need to have my penis pointed up post-op?
Again every surgeon is different, alot of doctors will tell you leave it pointed straight up for 2 weeks. My doctor told me it was not an issue, he told to just leave it hang which ever way felt most comfortable.

When do I begin to cycle the IPP?
Usually the 3-4-5 week mark depending on how fast you heal and when your swelling and pain is all gone.

Do I need to return to the office for removal of sutures post-op or can the sutures be removed by me? When?
My stitches fall out automatically when the incision is fully healed, so I will not need to have them removed, but again every surgeon is different.

What OTC meds do I need for the incision? Itching? Ointment? Stool Softner?
I put antibacterial cream on my incision site for about a week. I also took a stool softener and a laxative.

Do I need to wear a pad over the incision?
My surgeon put a protective pad over the incision immediately after the surgery and wrapped everything up with gauze. I was told to remove everything the next day, after i did that I did not wear any type of padding.

We scheduled a follow up visit, how often thereafter will I come into the office?
You should not need to see him again unless you are have some sort of problem with the device or you are unhappy with the results, most questions can be answered with a phone call or email.

What is the post-op recovery time for incision, first pump up, and first intercourse?
Is different for everyone, I am going back to see Dr.Kramer next week to get the device activated. I was told after that i can have intercourse as soon as i feel comfortable.

Does the Dr. Cornell place the pump in the final scrotal location or do I manipulate the pump post-operatively into a scrotal position?
After your swelling goes down and your incision is healed you can manipulate the pump o wherever it is comfortable for you, mines is a little high right now but i havent attempted to move it yet.
=============================
Thanks for your responses in advance.

[Brad89]

Hope that helps.

And Congrats!!

[RelievedofED1]

After waiting several months for the insurance's approval I got it and my doctor's next available date was this Friday. I took it.

I have been lurking here for several months, trying to absorb the wealth of information you were sharing. I probably read most of the questions and answers, so thanks for your help.

I have some questions you can answer, my doctor is going to answer these questions but it would be interesting to see what the real world has experienced:

How much time should the I take off from work post-op?
I took 2 weeks and glad I did. Depends on work though. You will be asked to not lift anything heavy for 4 weeks. Prolonged sitting was sore for me for a month or more.

What medications are prescribed post-op for pain?
Usually oxycodone type meds and ibuprofen/tylenol. I took 2 oxycodones first day to sleep and then no more.

What activity restrictions will I have post-op and for how long (e.g. limitations on lifting weights, driving, etc.)?
My doc said half gallo milk or less lift 4 weeks. Bedrest 2 days post op then a lot of laying around 2 weeks. I got a bit stir crazy but glad I followed his orders as no bruising to speak of a minimal swelling. 95% healed at 2 weeks.

Note: I walk 30 minutes, ride a bike 4 miles and exercise on strength/cardio machines 4 to 5 days a week?

Dr. Cornell plans on a AMS CX IPP device, how much are the cylinders left inflated immediately after surgery
(empty, partial inflation, full inflation). For how long?
All docs are different mine was deflated but others inflated. He will tell you.

Can the IPP device be deflated upon my return to work; if not, how is the inflated penis best concealed?
I have always been a shower and now even more so. It depends on your natural size to start and when it is delated. Different shirts and pants hide better than others or not.

How long will I need to have my penis pointed up post-op?
Each doc is different. AMS site discusses it I believe also.

When do I begin to cycle the IPP?
Each doc and each patient is different. Mine let me around 17 days as I was without swelling or pain and as a doc myself guess he trusted me to try but most around 4-6 weeks. I did get his permission first.

Do I need to return to the office for removal of sutures post-op or can the sutures be removed by me? When?
Mine were self absorbing.

What OTC meds do I need for the incision? Itching? Ointment? Stool Softner?
I didnt need ointments. Use colace due to inactivity and pain meds at time of surgery. Started colace day before surgery just in case. I also drank lots of fluids post op.

Do I need to wear a pad over the incision?
I did for a bit due to scab and blood on underwear. Just regular gauze.

We scheduled a follow up visit, how often thereafter will I come into the office?
I live 250 miles from Dr Kramer so I was seen locally at 6 weeks for the only postop visit.

What is the post-op recovery time for incision, first pump up, and first intercourse?
2 weeks incision or so for scabs. Incision still sensitive for 4 weeks but not bad. First pump different for each doc and each of their patients usually 4-6 weeks. I pumped and had gentle intercourse at 17 days with docs permission. That is very unusual and I think the result of high volume doctor, my doing nothing for two weeks and also my not having prior prostate surgery or diabetes etc to affect healing.

Does the Dr. Cornell place the pump in the final scrotal location or do I manipulate the pump post-operatively into a scrotal position? He will tell you.

Congrats. Looking forward to hearing great news! For me it was a great decision.
=============================
Thanks for your responses in advance.

[pockie]

After waiting several months for the insurance's approval I got it and my doctor's next available date was this Friday. I took it.

I have been lurking here for several months, trying to absorb the wealth of information you were sharing. I probably read most of the questions and answers, so thanks for your help.

I have some questions you can answer, my doctor is going to answer these questions but it would be interesting to see what the real world has experienced:

How much time should the I take off from work post-op?
I'd say 2 weeks, if you can't take that much off work then at least 2 weeks.

What medications are prescribed post-op for pain?
Oxycontin as well as Tylenol+Codeine

What activity restrictions will I have post-op and for how long (e.g. limitations on lifting weights, driving, etc.)?

Note: I walk 30 minutes, ride a bike 4 miles and exercise on strength/cardio machines 4 to 5 days a week?
After 4 weeks I was given clearance to continue with all activities as usual including lifting weights and cardio


Dr. Cornell plans on a AMS CX IPP device, how much are the cylinders left inflated immediately after surgery
(empty, partial inflation, full inflation). For how long?
I have the Coloplast Titan, I was only inflated 10% to 20% post-op for the first week

Can the IPP device be deflated upon my return to work; if not, how is the inflated penis best concealed?
Depends on your doctor's instructions. Some want you to keep it inflated at all times for a certain period after surgery.
I was only inflated this way the first week, after that I was able to inflate and deflate at will.
A jock strap and comfortable pants would be a good way to do this.


How long will I need to have my penis pointed up post-op?
For me it was the first week only.

When do I begin to cycle the IPP?
I began cycling after 1 week post-op. Most people here begin cycling after a month from what I've read. I guess it depends on the surgeon

Do I need to return to the office for removal of sutures post-op or can the sutures be removed by me? When?
You don't need to be there for the sutures to be removed, any doctor can do it, doesn't have to be your surgeon or his staff. In my case they told me that if I wanted
another doctor to do it they could provide the instructions on how this is done to him.
I'm not sure whether you could do it by yourself.

What OTC meds do I need for the incision? Itching? Ointment? Stool Softner?
Pre-op: Hibiclens (antibacterial soap/antiseptic), Cephalexin antibiotics
Post-op: Oxy, Tylenol+Codeine, Stool Softener - Milk of Magnesia + Other Stuff

Do I need to wear a pad over the incision?
The incision is initially bandaged up and they give you a jock strap to hold it in a upward position

We scheduled a follow up visit, how often thereafter will I come into the office?
The only important visit is the one when you're shown how to inflate/deflate.
Other than that unless you're having any issue no additional visits are necessary.


What is the post-op recovery time for incision, first pump up, and first intercourse?
My first pump up was 1 week post-op. I was given clearance for sex 2 weeks post-op but I
waited 4 weeks post-op to make sure everything is healed nicely.

Does the Dr. Cornell place the pump in the final scrotal location or do I manipulate the pump post-operatively into a scrotal position?
Don't know, I was a patient on Dr. Eid and I didn't have to manipulate the pump at all, it was in the appropriate place.
=============================
Thanks for your responses in advance.

[jimco236]

I just had my implant done last Thursday. My surgery was a little more involved than some because I have a pacemaker and an AUS 800 implant. They had to deactivate the defib part of my pacemaker because some of them will react to the electronic scalpel that they use. They used a spinal block on me because it is much safer to do on cardiac patients and you don't have to have a breathing tube stuck down your throat. You also have about 4-5 hours of a pain free environment when you wake up.

I would recommend that you start the stool softener now if you want it to work. Starting after the surgery is too late for some of us.

Some hospitals use the patient activated pain management system which puts pain reliever into you when you activate it but no sooner than every six minutes, If you lose track of time and press the button several times before the six minutes is up, an alarm will sound. This system totally sucked for me as I could never catch up with pain relief once I got behind. Obviously you cannot activate this in your sleep so if you doze off for 30 minutes you will awake in pain. I don't know if my system was working or not because I quit using it and the pain level never changed.

I was very impressed with my doctor's work. I have been sexually inactive for eight years and only started pumping a couple of months ago. I doubt I gained any length but certainly some girth. I got to see it in all its glory the morning after surgery. It was fully inflated with compression bandages to keep it from swelling. I had been warned that the doctor will deactivate it and you will experience some pain. It really was not bad, however, when he reactivated my AUS I saw stars. I think this was due to his lowering the bulb and he had to press over the incision.

My doctor told me to gently tug on the activation bulb to keep it down. I think this is important because my AUS activation bulb had migrated upward to the point that I could barely activate it. The doctor fixed this while doing my implant.

Other than bulb tugging my doctor told me to come back in six weeks. No sex and no playing with it until then. My prescribed pain reliever was norco 10/325. I have only taken two since surgery and they were more than adequate.

Good luck on your surgery. I am a 69 YO wimp and I have survived it, you will too.

[MickCrowder]

Tomorrows your day. Best of luck to you buddy. Youre in good hands. Time to put ED and the stuggles it gave behind you. First few days arent exactly 'fun' but every day gets better and better
Best
Mick

[RelievedofED1]

Good luck. Thinking of you. Let us know how it went.

[roninhouston]

Thanks for all the comments I have not been able to respond because I was floored when I was told that I would be off work 2 weeks. Lots of work needed to be done so I could take off two weeks.

On my way to the hospital in an hour thanks for all your comments especially the ones about taking colasce early and bath with hibiclean.

[MickCrowder]

Hope all went well you should be in recovery by now.
Best thing you can do for the next couple weeks is absolutely nothing but rest and recoup... and follow your doc's instructions to a T.
Best thing to do over the next several days is make ice packs your best friends. Keep one on as much as possible. Keeps the swelling and discomfort to a minimum.
Best
Mick