NEW HERE - PLEASE HELP WITH IMPLANT DECISION

[fdelros]

Hello everyone:

Hoping this note find everyone doing great and ready for the holidays. My name is Felix and while browsing for information on penile implant I bumped into Frank Talk website. I am 49 years old and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May of 2011.

At the time, I had just under gone through my yearly physical exam in November of 2010 and my PSA was normal. However in March of 2011 I started to feel weak and my libido was very low. I went to my family doctor and talked with him about possible low testosterone. He ordered some blood tests and confirmed that the testosterone was very low, but the PSA was elevated. He suggested I saw my URO and consult with him about the elevated PSA.

I went and spoke with the URO and he verified through another test that the PSA was elevated (4.3). He suggested another PSA test within a week because according to him, even having intercourse the night previous to the blood test can elevate the PSA levels. I went for another blood test the following week and the results were the same.
The URO then ordered a biopsy –scary-! A couple of weeks later a biopsy was performed and the prostate cancer confirmed. At the time I thought I was finished, I remember my wife crying and the family devastated.

Amidst the confusion I remember the doctor mentioning that I was among the lucky ones because the cancer was in a very early stage and treatable via many options. He gave me several options to treat the condition, however; all the options pointed out to ED, not to mention that without surgery there was always the possibility of the cancer returning.

My wife and I opted for robotic surgery and after all tests and prayers I got the surgery done in September of 2011. It has been 15 months and it has been like a roller coaster. I have been depressed and worried about my manhood. The doctor has tried several treatments for ED and the last one was TRIMIX injections. First I did not have problems injecting, but honestly I am not sure if it’s worth all the trouble and preparation for a brief moment of pleasure.

I understand that our lives will never be the same, but also understand that there has to be other options. Lately I have been investigating about penile implant, I understand that the decision is very difficult as there is no turning back, but every time I have intimacy the frustrations grows out of proportion. I would like to hear some feedback from the experts in this arena to help me make the most difficult decision of my life.

I live in North Carolina in the Charlotte area and if I finally decide to do it, I would like to be local; only because of the follow up visits it may become very expensive having to travel out of town. However, out of town is not out of bound. I would appreciate if anyone has any information concerning a good doctor in this area.

For my RP I had doctor Timothy Gajewsky, I believe he is the best for RP surgery in this whole are, however I not sure they do implants. Please advice and thank you so much for shedding light to so much darkness on those like me going through this ordeal. I am looking forward to hearing from you guys and thank you in advance for any advice your can share. Happy holidays!!!

Felix

[radiodec]

Felix,

Sorry I can't recommend a urologist in your area for the implant surgery. Check with the surgeons that did your RP and see if they have a recommendation to add to your collection.

As for the decision itself, I can offer suggestions and note that I am now 6 weeks post implant and had a very easy recovery. Some initial trouble getting to the implant stage and an alternate reservoir placement, but no outstanding problem and as I said a very easy recovery. I won't recommend an implant because everyone's anatomy and circumstances are different, but it is working well for me.

Read through all the "journey" logs in this forum and you will get somewhat of a cross-section of results. Some are not so good, others are middle ground, and some are excellent. For the most part though, all are better off than before they started.

I don't envy you your decision, been there glad I am past it. Whatever you decide, I wish the the best and as is the standing joke here; Hard Times.

Dave

[rschweiger]

Hi felix,
Like dave I can not recommend a dr. as I am in ct.
First I'm sorry for ur situation, I can offer. Perspective from my situation,I'm 41 and my ED was caused by BP meds and such not prostate cancer so I can't imagine wht that's like(god bless you and all others in that situation).....I am almost 5mos. Post implant and I can tell you for me it was the only decision as I cldnt take the mental aspect of ED any longer after 4 yrs of suffering. I personally had a lot of pain for atleast 3 or so weeks but eventually things get better(pain is momentary compared to the big picture)as some have an easier time then others, but as I. Live and breath it was the right choice for me(I. can feel like a man again) it will not be ur old penis again,there are some differences but it becomes ur new penis, its may not be the right choice for everyone,but that is your decision.and I wish you the best w/it, if you just need to talk I can give you my e-mail or phone # , the happiest of holidays to you and your family.
Rich.






give

give you e-mail or even phone #....the happiest of holidays to you and your fmily

[Dave48003]

Felix:

I too approached the surgery with a lot of uncertainty. My story is posted in the implant section and is called LGX Log. It can be searched in google and it will direct you right to it.

I am extremely pleased with my implant. My wife keeps telling me how glad she is I got it. She had pelvic reconstruction surgery, and we joke about both being products of medical science. I'm 61 with an erection a 16 year old would be proud of, and she is as tight as I can imagine a 16 year old would be! Thank goodness for coconut oil!

My journey was not without issues, read the story. But, I would do it all again even knowing what would happen. If possible, find someone who will let you examine a real one up close. There are guys on here who will, I am one of them. It does feel different, so if you expect it to be like it used to be, it won't. But, some things are actually better. I'm harder than ever. I can go deeper than ever. And I can go literally for hours! My wife can tell it is an implant, but it doesn't change anything for her other than its better. From my perspective, the sensation is different. Can't say better or worse, just different. If your wife and the "demonstrator" are cool with it, let her check it out also.

If you have any questions, send me a message, I will respond.

Dave

[fdelros]

Hello everyone,

Hope everyone had a great time during the Christmas holiday. I posted some questions or concerns earlier in trying to get help making a decision for an implant after having RP last year. After thinking it over and over and consulting with my wife I think I am going to do it. I contacted the office of doctor EID and they were very helpful with the information, however they are not part of United Healthcare network who is my insurance company. My question to the community is: have any of the brothers who has done it used United Healthcare as provider?

I contacted United and they told me that even though doctor EID is out of their network they still will pay for the procedure, however if I do it with him I would end up spending more out of pocket. But if I can get an in-network surgeon and hospital my out of pocket expenses would be significantly less. Could anyone please advice? Thanks in advance!

Felix

[Terry1094]

If you go with "in network" make sure he has experience and is not just a uro, doing implants on the side. Dr Eid does it several times a week and his record speaks for itself. Keep in mind, we're talking about your johnson here. so if your out of pocket expense mounts, isnt it moeny well spent?

[bob1138]

Hi Felix,

The following is a list of experienced Penile Implant Surgeons in the Charlotte, NC area:

Derek Gardner, MD
1900 Randolph Road
Suite 310
Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: (704) 358-8780

David Somerstein, MD
1900 Randolph Road
Suite 310
Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: (704) 358-8780

Dr. Ferraro/Gajewski
Carolinas Medical Center University
101 WT Harris Blvd #5202
Charlotte , NC 28262
Phone: (704) 547-1495

Ralph Vick, MD
16455 Statesville Rd
Suite 420
Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 892-2949

Hope this information is helpful.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Bob