Quick survey - what went wrong with your earlier implant that led you for a revision

[proctor]

Hi
As I am awaiting for my virgin surgery, I am excited for the prospect as well as scared to think that I may need a revision sooner than I am hoping for.

To take stock of what went wrong with earlier surgeried that requied a revision, I am trying to do a quik survey (which I hope will help future implantees with more info.
So, my question is-

Apart from picking the wrong surgeon, device issues (wear and tear and faulty manufacturing), what are the other factors that led to the revision of earlier implant. On hindsight, what would you do differently if you had the chance?


Please feel free to contribute to enrich our collective knowledge and try our best to avoid a revision (much earlier).

[dg_moore]

I got my Titan in 2008 but never used it (see my signature below). I inflated it maybe 2 or 3 times a year for a total of about 20-30 times. The implant quit working a couple of months ago - I have no idea why. I considered seeing Dr. Kramer to find out if he could diagnose the problem, but then decided that it wouldn't be worth the time since I'd have no intention of getting it fixed, and knowing why it failed would not be useful information.

[Gt1956]

Looks to me like you won't get many replies. Since most revisions are done under circumstances that fall under your exclusions clause. Why would someone self pay to change a working implant? Which is about how it would go based upon your question. Insurance isn't going to pay to replace a working implant.

[proctor]

Looks to me like you won't get many replies. Since most revisions are done under circumstances that fall under your exclusions clause. Why would someone self pay to change a working implant? Which is about how it would go based upon your question. Insurance isn't going to pay to replace a working implant.

Ha ha, I dont mind. If picking an unskilled surgeon or device problem is the principal cause for revision rather than any accidents, poor maintenance, post OP behavioral issues, then perhaps I will stop having sleepless nights over any impending early revision.

Thanks to both for responding.

[proctor]

I got my Titan in 2008 but never used it (see my signature below). I inflated it maybe 2 or 3 times a year for a total of about 20-30 times. The implant quit working a couple of months ago - I have no idea why. I considered seeing Dr. Kramer to find out if he could diagnose the problem, but then decided that it wouldn't be worth the time since I'd have no intention of getting it fixed, and knowing why it failed would not be useful information.

Thanks, Dave.

[Gt1956]

The cause of the failure is not an issue. Many insurance plans pay to fix a device that is already in your body. So if it is working & you want a revision. It would almost certainly be a self pay.
The forum has plenty of stories about revisions & the reason the revision was done.
What is it that you're fishing for?

[Weazer]

I had my revision done because it stopped working. Upon removal the it was found that the tubing was ruptured. The doctor told me he had never seen that big a break in the tubing. The Coloplast rep was there as well and said it would definitely be warrentied.

[proctor]

The cause of the failure is not an issue. Many insurance plans pay to fix a device that is already in your body. So if it is working & you want a revision. It would almost certainly be a self pay.
The forum has plenty of stories about revisions & the reason the revision was done.
What is it that you're fishing for?

Aiming to create a community of practice to avoid common pitfalls that lead to revision sans chooosing wrong surgeon or faulty device. lets see if its a realistic expectation.

[proctor]

I had my revision done because it stopped working. Upon removal the it was found that the tubing was ruptured. The doctor told me he had never seen that big a break in the tubing. The Coloplast rep was there as well and said it would definitely be warrentied.

Thanks Weazer...did you find out the root cause of the breakage like rough use or anything like that

[WhiteCane]

I’m getting my revision because the proximal stitches of my implant did not heal properly… I am on anti-rejection medications which make any healing process take a little bit longer… Basically, they think I started cycling about two weeks earlier than I should have and within the first month, the stitches broke and the left cylinder now resides in my scrotum… Unfortunately, I cannot afford to see the surgeon who originally did the surgery but, I’m quite confident I’ve found someone with a good head on their shoulders…