starting the implant journey

[Rockstar68]

I thought I would document my implant journey.

Started a few years ago. I was approved by the VA to see Dr. Kramer, as they didn't perform implant surgeries.

Before I could get started, the VA rescinded the approval and told me to go to the Augusta VA to have the surgery. I didn't feel comfortable with the VA performing the surgery, and I have type 2 diabetes so the surgeons told me to get that under control first. I've been going round and round with VA urology and it became clear to me that the Augusta VA has no intention of doing the surgery. They've told me to lose weight, to change my diet, etc. Every time there is an excuse. I'm a few lbs. overweight, that is all. Blood sugars are doing good.

Fast forward to now and it seems like the VA is more willing to play ball. With the VA choice program, and because Augusta is 3 to 4 hours away, I'm eligible again to have the surgery outside the VA. I'm just waiting on the approvals.

I will update as I have more info. Hopefully all goes well

[oldbeek]

thank you for your service. What is your age and what are you doing now for preservation while waiting. Best of luck. Glad I didn't have to deal with VA.

[Lost Sheep]

I live in Alaska and had the opportunity to use VA Choice for an implant two years ago. But reading and researching convinced me to seek a surgeon with higher qualifications than was available locally (and getting interviews limited by the V.A. red tape was difficult). I did find a couple surgeons I would be comfortable with locally, but did not feel 100% confident in my relationships with them. "Bedside manner" and all that, willingness to answer questions.

I contacted Dr. Kramer and Dr. Eid by email and had some conversations with those illustrious gentlemen. Impressive kindness and caring men.

Since Dr. Kramer does work within the Maryland V.A. system, I elected to try for his surgical treatment. But arranging the paperwork and authorizations with travel proved daunting.

The Alaska V.A. was willing to send me to Seattle for surgery and followups and I almost went that route, since Dr. Walsh was there and had reputation. Dr. Ostrowski trained under Dr. W and would have been my surgeon since Dr. W was leaving the V.A. But Dr. O was on leave when I had my initial consult (with a Resident Dr. Brisbane, who was kind, personable, professional, but ultimately my interview with him convinced me that the Seattle V.A. Urology protocol for surgery was not what I wanted, no fault of Dr. B's).

Then, to my rescue, chance intervened and dropped Dr. Shaw (figuratively and literally) in my lap. A travel clerk/nurse at the V.A. with whom I had shared my dilemma (Maryland VA, Seattle VA, VA Choice) suggested that Dr. Shaw (USAF Active Duty) had the expertise I needed and had recently been assigned to Elmendorf Hospital. We met, I liked his attitude, expertise, communicability and he liked mine as well.

Rockstar68, perseverance pays off (at least it did for me). As frustrating as it was, my outcome is now quite satisfying.

[DougAnd]

Wow. No way I can compete with that. If you've stopped having nocturnal erections you may want to take a few precautions to preserve your length. Just for a frame of reference put a ruler on it and Mark it down. I lost five eighths of an inch in two years of impotence.

[Rockstar68]

I'm 50 and currently using a vacuum pump. I have an electric pump that charges up by USB cable and it seems to work pretty good. I have lost about 3 full inches in length and there is no elasticity anymore. When I do the stretch test, it doesn't move.

I am probably 3 inches flaccid now and it doesn't stretch or increase in size, except from the pump. When I max out the pump, i can reach 5 3/4 to 6 inches. Not sure how that happens since it doesn't stretch when I try to do it manually.