Why? Not if but when. Nagging doubts.

[Txagq8]

On my first thread I got a lot of helpful info to digest. Here’s hoping this one does the same.

For those who missed my introduction thread here are the vitals. Married (35 yrs). Retired (Army Officer 22 yrs) Petrophysical Engineer (18 Years). Mild hypertension well controlled. Diagnosed VL at age 29 or 30 but it has always been a problem.

Injections helped, pills helped a little. Biggest complaint is that yes, I can engage in intercourse with a 50-60% erect penis but I don’t get enough stimulation from it to ever climax. Go an hour and twenty minutes, rub your wife raw, set up the mother of all yeast infections, and guess how long it’ll be before she wants to have sex again.

I’m in real good shape. 6’1”. 185 lbs. 30 or 31 waist. Lift weights 3-4 times/week, run 3-5 miles 2-3 nights/week. I heal well. I got overly ambitious at gym and destroyed both rotator cuffs. Everyone warned me how bad a surgery that was. 3 weeks I was normal, 6 weeks I was at gym with wt restrictions, 6 months I was told go for it but don’t get stupid.

I’m tired of living with 1 minute erections. I can still achieve a good one with pharmaceutical help and a cock ring. The downside is it lasts a minute or so. Constant stimulation helps but not enough. Using my hips in the thrusting process kills it dead. I’m guessing it removes whatever compression there is on the veins and allows the blood flow out.

So yeah, I want an implant. The question is how badly and how soon. I’m 63 1/2. My insurance will cover it except a healthy co pay. If I wait until I’m 65, Medicare will cover it and my other insurance eats the co pay. So I’m torn between how much is now worth.

As someone who still gets erections, flawed as they are, there is an element of not wanting to lose that capability totally. I don’t think it will stop me. But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me who won’t miss natural morning wood in lieu of the bionic version.

At 63, with wife post menopausal and pharmaceutical induced sex as frustrating as it is, I wonder if anything will actually change.its been 15 years since sex was a regular, spontaneous and mostly frustration free event in our marriage. I’m convinced, though, that even if nothing changes in that regard it would be worth doing just to experience something that more closely resembles a normal erection.

I worry about loss of size. I had a late puberty and all the guys in the showers at school were invariably further along and bigger. I spent a good chunk of my life thinking I had a substandard pecker. I finally figured out I was at least normal or average in the Army. (At one time or another I think I’ve showered with everyone). Later reading has me aware that I fall into the category of big but not huge (erect 6.8x6.0). I’ve gathered from reading on here that functionality definitely trumps size, and I can’t disagree, but I worry nonetheless.

Obviously, I worry about infection. Loss of sensation. A worsening of the delayed ejaculation (although that ought to get better, as it stands it’s fast when erect, it just slows when I’m semi erect...which is most of the time)

I was tempted to post pics of what I’d be having replaced but figured that would be too exhibitionist without just cause. Perhaps once I have surgery scheduled.

Comments on my agonizing doubts and thought process welcome.

[cmforbsc]

Best decision I ever made! Unfortunately we men don't discuss any personal problems especially those related to sex.
Been there, done that was my journey thru pills, pumps, and other toys (no injections because my partner fainted and I was glad she did! I did not want to stick a needle in my penis) I could get an erection but it wouldn't last long.
Now I can get a fair erection during foreplay but can enhance it with the help of the pump and remain erect as long as needed.
The climax has returned and has been better than ever.
You might check Medicare about an early sign-up which results in less income but immediate enrollment.

[Cajun Jeff]

I certainly feel your pain. 11 years ago I had Prostate Cancer. I did the pills, pump, and injections.

Blue Cross had exclusion of coverage for implant. I waited for Medicare. I am actively searching for a Dr to do my implant in Louisiana.

What a challenge.

[newbie443]

On your other thread members talked about a study on number of implants a year vs. reoperation rates. There is another study I do not have that addressed size loss. What I took from that study is that med school teaches docs to error on the short side to avoid the possibility of erosion. Like the old saying doctor do no harm. This is what the local docs in my area use and why they all say (and the patients who talked to me) that I would loose an inch. Seems according to that paper, ved use for a minimum of 6 weeks prior and maybe up to a year prior was said to help return some size lost prior to surgery and a bit more aggressive sizing done during the surgery. This is where folks were saying in the other thread to find a really good doc you trust for this. Not just a surgeon that may be skilled at other surgeries but has no real interest in this one.

As far as when. Well we all heal differently but this does take some time. And it does take some time to schedule. Some times men will have sensitivity loss that will take time to return. For this reason when I decided to have this I told myself I would give myself 1 year before I judged the outcome. Part of that was that infection risk while it can happen any time and is highest in the weeks after surgery is considered to be the least likely after one year. I was having sex with women way earlier than that though it just takes months to a year of cycling for size improvements.

I did this for me. I could not have erections on my own. Neither pills or injections would produce and erections that that would be useable to have sex with a partner. Now in a minute or less I can inflate an erection during foreplay that stays that way as long as I want it to. It will not change unless I or my girlfriend changes it. No more being a bit too tired or stressed, or anything. I could be passed out or asleep and would have still have an erection. Having this part of me back again has made my life so much better. I had this big ED thing hanging on me and it made me feel really bad. Now it's gone. What a life changer. For me it does not make a difference how the erection occurs. Just that it happens when I want it to. And when aroused I still get engorgement of my glans.

I am not married. I do not know how much ED has effected the rest of your life. No one can decide for us.

I hope this helped. Best of luck going forward with this.

[oldbeek]

Do injections last only 1 minute? I could orgasm quicker with the injections. It felt fuller and sensitive. My implant does get hard but when I pump it real hard it is painful. It takes me forever to orgasm with the implant. I don't think size loss or infections are worth worrying about. very rare. My partner situation sounds like yours. Even with a forever hard dick, she is like,, get away from me with that thing.

[Lost Sheep]

There is another study I do not have that addressed size loss. What I took from that study is that med school teaches docs to error on the short side to avoid the possibility of erosion.

With the older model implants (thinking particularly about the malleables) it was advised to take the internal measurement of the tunica albuginea (wherein the implant is placed) and subtract 2 cm to ensure against erosion through the glans. Some medical school curricula may not have been updated and some surgeons may not have followed the latest and best practices. Also, early inflatables (particularly the predecessor to the LGX, the AMS Ultrex, which had the ability to lengthen when inflated) had a tendency to develop an "S" curve if too long to fit properly, so being shorter by 2cm was suggested for that one, too. It was taken off the market.

I know of at least one study by Dr Montague that suggests erring on the short side. But a skilled surgeon aware of the workings of the implant being installed should not have to do that. That is just one reason to find a surgeon with depth of experience.

Here is a link to the article
"Cylinder sizing: less is more"
DK Montague and KW Angermeier
http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v15/n5s/pdf/3901088a.pdf?origin=publication_detail


Here is a citation for a different article that does seem to address your point about the difference capabilities of the LGX vs the other models from either maker:
Montague DK, Angermeier KW. Increasing size with penile implants. Curr Urol Rep. 2008;9:483–486. [PubMed]
sorry for the lack of a link

and another
https://www.europeanurology.com/article/S0302-2838(06)01317-0/fulltext

[gercoa]

Had all the same worries, still do, my surgery is in 3 weeks. Like you I have had this since my 30's and over the last 20 years have done everything other than the implant. Time will tell with mine but from reading here I do feel a lot better. My wife has gone with me to the appointments and learned about it as I do. I think that's important cause it allows you both to adjust to it, ask questions and feel more comfortable. Good luck in your journey.

[GoodWood]

I am in a similar situation. 51yo, married, together 23 years, spontaneity drained out of our sex life over the years and WHAT we did changed due to my ED. My erections became unreliable.

Now viagra usually does something, can be good for jacking or maybe a blowjob but not great for much else.

Trimix works quite well for me but my dose keeps escalating. So every once in a while I realize I’ve had a couple crappy hardons in a row and I need to increase the dose again. The lack of spontaneity of injecting is a bummer too. But when the dose is right it gives me a big thick hardon. Wearing a cock ring helps with rigidity too.

For me an implant is a question of when, not if. I still get morning wood. I still get erections when I’m turned on. My erections look impressive and are fun to play with but not rigid enough for penetration. I need trimix for that. What should I do?

So what’s holding me back? I feel like my cock still functions too well (particularly with trimix) to cross the rubicon of an implant. I’m 51 and unsure of my insurance coverage. (A consultation with an MD could answer that question). I’m afraid to undertake an irreversible procedure. I’m afraid of losing size. I’m afraid of decreased sensitivity.

Here’s where I am: I’m going to continue along with TriMix. I’m focusing on reinvigorating sex in my marriage. Trying to get more sex and more variety in our sex life. I’m also seeking more information. I’ve had an in-person show and tell with a FT member with an AMS implant. It was REALLY helpful to see and feel the flaccid and erect state of his dick. It made me MUCH more comfortable with the idea of having an implant myself. I hope to have a couple other opportunities like that. I’d like to have the see a Coloplast implant. I find it helpful to chat with guys with implants to hear about their experience. And I’ll get a consultation with an implant surgeon eventually.

I find it helpful to see the before and after pics so I would encourage everyone to do that. I’ll make a point of doing that as well. I’ll post a flaccid, natural erection, and trimix erection pic. It helps me to compare what I’m dealing with to what other men who have chosen the various options available to us here.

Thanks for talking about where you are at. It’s helpful to share this stuff.

[gene308]

I went through the same doubts and fears. I am very happy I had the implant as soon as I did. In your situation I see tremendous benefit with very little to lose. Pick an experienced surgeon. Do your research. The implant solution has worked very well for many men. You are a very healthy active man. Younger than your age suggests. Why continue to have these problems when a great solution exists.
How many of us wish we had a 31 inch waist.

[edwardl007]

Later reading has me aware that I fall into the category of big but not huge (erect 6.8x6.0). I’ve gathered from reading on here that functionality definitely trumps size, and I can’t disagree, but I worry nonetheless.

.

I can't believe that someone who has your size ever thought you were average or below average So if i were you, not having enough size after surgery is not going to be a problem.