Implant soon Veteran

[scoop317]

Hi, my first post. Had RALP surgery last Dec nerve sparing"suppose to be"injections are hit and miss. I told Dr it's more pain than pleasure, so I've decided to go with implant and they use the colopast titan @ VA hospital. are there any Vets with similar implant done at VA hospital. Just need a little feedback. But I will post update once surgery is done.

[Old Guy]

I have the Coloplast Titan and have been happy with it. I suppose the VA will assign you a surgeon, hope they know what they're doing. Ask questions that you want answers to! Read up here on FT before you see the doc so you know what to ask. Good Luck.

[Lost Sheep]

I am pretty sure each VA region chooses the particular manufacturer. Four years ago, the Washington VA used AMS.

[kingpin320]

The VA will give you a referral to any doctor you want outside of VA..You do not have to have VA Dr..

[Lost Sheep]

Hi, my first post. Had RALP surgery last Dec nerve sparing"suppose to be"injections are hit and miss. I told Dr it's more pain than pleasure, so I've decided to go with implant and they use the colopast titan @ VA hospital. are there any Vets with similar implant done at VA hospital. Just need a little feedback. But I will post update once surgery is done.

I believe each VA region makes their own choice as to which manufacturer they use.

I obtained my implant through the V.A. and got an AMS LGX

Here is a summary of my story.

Several years ago, I finally revealed to my primary care physician (PCP) that I had trouble maintaining an erection, he prescribed oral medication, which were effective for a number of years. When they began to lose effectiveness (each in turn) I started researching extensively. By the time the last medication was waning, I had amassed such a body of knowledge that my PCP remarked, "You know more about ED than I do." I relate that because I want to emphasize the point that getting your PCP on board is VERY important.

I was able to skip over using VED, suppositories and injections. My PCP suggested that I would qualify for a penile implant (which was a bit of a surprise to me). So, my answer was a foregone conclusion. After I picked myself up off the floor, I said, "OK" in an extravagance of understatement.

Then began my journey to find a surgeon I would trust to do the job.

So, I repeat, "Get the trust and confidence of your primary care physician. Get him or her to trust your judgment and veracity. Get your medical care team to consider you an integral and equal member." He/She will be your most influential advocate.

Referral to a urologist was easy - once I had my primary physician on my side. Lay that groundwork! As it was when you were in-service, take nothing for granted, do your homework and have your advance team (which consists of one member - YOU) prepare, make contacts and engage allies.

I went so far as to see two local surgeons, enroll in the Maryland VA (to gain access to Dr Kramer-I live in Alaska) and fly to the Washington State VA and interview a surgeon there. In my efforts to pave the way to Maryland's VA system, I told a Nurse in the Travel Office my details (I told everyone I talked to, what I was doing).

Ultimately she called me and informed me that a surgeon who had actually taught the procedure had recently been assigned to the local Base's Hospital and asked if I would be willing to consider him. She didn't have to call and tell me that, but she helped me out in that way, I am sure she did that because I was non-confrontational.

I jumped at the chance and got an implant shortly thereafter.

My point in that story is to say, Thank everyone by name at the ending of every contact and remember their names if/when you talk to them again. People love to be remembered. Thank even if they have not been helpful; they gave you their time and heard your story. And they may remember you and help you in the future.

If they have been helpful, write a thank-you note to the VA Commander, or at least the person's supervisor.

Be kind. Be grateful. Be remembered as worthy of their help. Remember the names of everyone you talk to and use their names when you talk to them again. People repond well to being remembered. Thank everyone, even those not helpful. They gave you their time, at least.

Some VA's are more friendly towards implants than others. It is possible to enroll in other state's VA systems, but the bureaucratic hurdles can be problematic.

[Txagq8]

In the event our new board member is a retiree, I would add that Tricare is a pretty good way to get an implant.

Yes, you have a co-pay. But, and this is important…if you are at or near your cap for out-of-pocket for the year, the price can be very right. My wife had dealt with a hospitalization for some bad-ass pneumonia, and we ended up about $10 shy of our catastrophic cap. I got my surgery done on New Years Eve before a new year of deductible and co-pays kicked in. My total out of pocket was ten bucks and change.

All Tricare wants is to have the doctor tell them it’s physical, not psychological, and use the right CPT code. Technically I didn’t even have to get a preauthorization.

Worst case is you would have a copay equal to a percentage of the highly discounted Tricare allowable, not the full book price.

[tomas1]

I'm pretty sure that just being a veteran doesn't qualify me for Tri-Care.
If I'm wrong, I've wasted a lot of money.

[Lost Sheep]

I'm pretty sure that just being a veteran doesn't qualify me for Tri-Care.
If I'm wrong, I've wasted a lot of money.

Check with your local VA offices. There are many factors that might weigh in. Having a service-connected disability rating is a big help.

[tomas1]

I never claimed my hearing loss and didn't serve during wartime (56 to 59).
It really doesn't matter.

[oldbeek]

[quote="tomas1"]I'm pretty sure that just being a veteran doesn't qualify me for Tri-Care.
If I'm wrong, I've wasted a lot of money.[/quote. Isn't tri-care for retired military and not just 4 year veterans.