How many of you traveled out of state to get the implant?

[Larry10625]

Just curious if you did, did it cost more out of pocket for you? How much more?

My urologist in my town (250k) does and will do it, but I dont think he does more than 30 a year. It makes me wonder if I should go to Eid or someone else... but if I did would it cost me way more because its out of network?

I traveled 1/2 way across the US for mine. My local docs do 2-3 a year. Said I would loose 1" in length if they did the implant as did the 2 patients of doctors in my area I talked to. My doc did not have a patient that he implanted that would talk to me and when asked what his infection rate he replied that infection does happen. Cost for me to stay local was something in the area of 4 to 7 thousand. Don't know for sure as I did not. Cost for me was approx. 27k out of pocket.

You don't need a doc that does over 30 a year to have good results. You can research docs in your area with health grades. They rank doctors by numbers of procedures they do a year compared to other docs in the US. They also list awards and papers published. My local docs were not ranked as the numbers were so low it just stated that they may perform. I would stay away from those. I would look for a doc that was concerned about infection rate enough to know what his/her rate was. I would look for one that was concerned about size loss. I would ask to speak to at least one patient that had an implant surgery. I don't have the link on this computer but the study on reoperation rates reference numbers of implant surgeries a year showed if I remember correctly that docs who did 8-30 a year were very close to the low numbers of reoperations as the above 30. I would not exclude a doc that did 1 or 2 a month just for numbers sake. 1 or 2 a year I did exclude. You need to find a doc you can trust that will do the best for you. You can also use the Physician Finder at the top of this screen. I would start local first. There are draw backs with travel for this. One is the travel time and expense. Another is follow up care after the surgery. If, as in my case, you cannot find anyone local and are able to travel then you can expand your search.

Good luck with your search and going forward with this.

When I interviewed Kramer, Eid, Perito and Brock, all of them but Eid said that there are hundreds of great surgeons all over North America, in fact Dr. Perito said that if someone was having problems finding someone close to them, they could tell me and I would contact him and he would try to help. He has a list of approximately 250 great surgeons he would be happy to recommend. Dr. Eid said if the want the best, they had to come to him.

Larry

[merrix]

And he is probably right...

[SW0110]

I agree you might not have to go out of state to get it done, but do you really want a general urologist who might do a literal handful a year to do your implant.

For me nope. They might be great at general stuff and maybe a good surgeon. Big difference to me in say removing a cyst, tumor, etc.and then closing up an incision.

Implant issues are so many. What type of incision. Which implant. How do they close it to minimize problems. Where is pump going. Where and how are tubes routed. How certain are they about their skill in measuring. Are they scared to at least size correctly or might use a smaller implant or prefer an ams which might give them a margin of error. I saw studies where docs did use shorter ams implants just in case because they can expand some. How about the reservoir. Can they place it without another incision. An experienced doc does better period. What if something looks wierd and they have to deal with something unusual. Someone who does a few a year might never have dealt with it and will have guess or rely on something they read in med school.

Implant surgery is a specialty period. The doc you choose should at least focus somewhat on it in their practice.

To me I wanted a doc who at least focused on the implant. Not one who just said it is available but lets try all this other stuff first.

When I finally found a doc who did the right tests and told me with peyronies and venous leaks, I had really no options if I wanted a hard erection for sex. So for me no wtf moments except why the f#$#, did it take 4 urologists to find one who really knew about implants and it was my real only option. Still pisses me off.

So in short just my opinion. Bypass those general urologists who have no real focus at all on implants. Find one who can discuss them with you and will.

Oh also important is the surgical team. A good one should have people helping him in the or who have some knowledge of risks as well, not just whoever shows up that day.

An implant surgeon who does a couple a week probably has a team available to him he works with regularly. Mine did.when they were prepping me I quizzed everyone who touched me how often they did implant surgery with the doc. All were regulars at it with doc. And sometimes he would do a 2 or 3 a week with them.

So you might not have to fly across the country but do not be afraid to travel some if you need to. My doc was 3 hours away by car. If you do pick one of the top ones you are probably in great hands but they also occasionally f it up to as several on here can attest. Your d### is in your hands literaly so research and make best decision you can.

[3rd-Nut]

I traveled from the Wyoming Rockies to Madison, WI. to have Dr. Paolone do the job. I don't think he did 50-60 a year at the time.That was 2012. I talked to 2 guys that I had met on a prostate cancer forum that had used him and were very pleased. I then contacted Dr. Paolone by phone. He was very pleasant and had a great manner to him. I only met him in person the day before to procedure. He was even better in person. Everything went very well. The doctor assisting him, a female resident, told me when she checked up on me in the recovery room that I would be very pleased with the outcome. She had seen the pumped up results during the operation. I am very pleased with it.
Would I travel that distance again or farther? Yes.

[Lost Sheep]

And he is probably right...

(surmising that you are referring to Dr. Eid.)

Even so, Dr. Eid did not discourage me from seeking a local surgeon. His primary advice was to find a surgeon "in love with his craft" and in that way I will have found someone who will put the outcome as his (or her) highest priority in the operation.

[merrix]

And he is probably right...

(surmising that you are referring to Dr. Eid.)

Even so, Dr. Eid did not discourage me from seeking a local surgeon. His primary advice was to find a surgeon "in love with his craft" and in that way I will have found someone who will put the outcome as his (or her) highest priority in the operation.

Yes, he was probably right then as well.

[TANGERINE]

i live in san francisco bay area, I took the direct flight SFO to New York and had my surgery with Dr Eid in Manhattan.

Surgery on Tuesday morning. Back on the plane to go home Friday afternoon.

My implant is perfect. Recovery was perfect. So, yes, the trip was worth every mile. My insurance (blue shield PPO ) paid for the surgery even though it was out of state ( I had the usual deductable expenses, but otherwise, going out of state was not much issue for me in terms of insurance payments)

By the way, look up the thread titled "packing list for implant patients staying at a hotel" -- I started that thread and it liststhe things you will need.

[Dave52]

Traveling to have surgery I live in Massachusetts travel to New York to have Dr Eid do my surgery if I had to travel to Southern California to see him form Maine I would’ve I think he did a great job he’s an extremely personable guy always ready to help and available whenever you need him. I’m absolutely happy with my out come and would recommend him to anyone. Anyone contemplating the surgery should pick the absolute best surgeon they can find and go the extra mile the outcome is worth it
Dave

[larrys1]

One piece of advice I will give every man....DO NOT choose a surgeon because it's convenient or close to you. Do the research to find your BEST option. The surgeon with the most success stories. This is your one chance. This is YOUR penis and sexuality.

[nbriley]

I live in the Gulf of Fl and my best option was to go to Atlanta for my implant, best decision I ever made