Consult - August 2nd - What to ask?

[mschicago]

As previously noted on this forum, I have complete ED as of late 2019 due to uncontrolled diabetes. I got the diabetes under control but did nothing for the ED because my wife was diagnosed with cancer around the same time (ultimately passing away from CV-19 in 8/21 as she was immunocompromised) and of course a pandemic happened.

It took about 9 months to start feeling better after her death and I am now ready to date but the ED stands in the way. I just set up a consultation with Dr. Lawrence Levine in Chicago for August 2nd. Not sure when I can have implant surgery but mid-October would be a perfect time if possible.

Anyway, knowing what you know now, what would you ask at the consult? First and foremost for me is I want to know everything he can tell me about how he keeps infection to an absolute minimum possible. Second, I already have some atrophy (3.25 inches when flaccid these days) and want to know what he can do to fit the largest device that my penis will hold. Third - recovery time and procedure. What else should I be asking that I missed?

[DougAnd]

We used to have on this forum a whole list of questions. But when I asked my doctor to show me how long I would be after the operation he walked out. The questions you asked depend on the doctor you have. The only thing that I would ask is that they gave me an LG X so that I could stretch myself afterwards regardless of how they measured me. That's what I did and it worked out okay. Not perfect but good enough

[Quincy]

Which type of implant will you use and why? What type of surgery do you prefer, peno-scrotal or infrapubic, and why? Are there things I can do before surgery that will help me have better success and better size after the surgery? How long will it be after surgery before I can "activate"? How long before I can start doing normal amounts of exercise and such? How long before sex? How long will I be in the hospital? Ask about rates of infection and what he does to minimize the risk, as well as what you can do. Diabetics (like me, as well) are more prone to infection. Things like "minimally invasive" surgery and limited time on the operating table can indicate how fast things go and how long you will be exposed to things that might cause infection. My doctor used surgical glue to close the wound after surgery and that seemed to me to be a good thing.

Do some research and tell him you did it, asking about things you had questions about during the research. I'd go ahead and tell him you want to make sure you keep as much size as you can. If he's not interested in that, find a doctor who is. I can understand a Doc not having that be the first priority, but they have to know we are interested.

Those are a few things to get you started. Keep researching, and best wishes!

Q.

[Old Guy]

Ask anything that concerns you, the doc has heard it all before. Sizing is something done during the surgery, there is no telling before where you will end up. As many say, use a vacuum device before to stretch your penis out. Healing depends on how your health is. Some guys heal in a couple weeks, some take a few months. The first couple of weeks are the worst. Pain meds and ice. Once cleared to bathe a hot bath can really ease soreness.
Many implants are done as out-patient procedures now. If that's how your surgeon does them, you'll need someone to drive you home. Good luck on your decision.

[Bandbaustin]

I had my surgery with Dr Levine. Completely satisfied. If you wanna private message me with any questions about him. I’ll be glad to answer.

[Username1]

My doc and staff did a good job explaining the pre, during and post op procedures.

What should you ask?
Whatever your fears are. Recovery time? Is he available in the event of any issues?When can you get me in?

[DougAnd]

Just a word of advice. From what I hear the government is planning on having another shutdown in the fall or winter of this year. If you want to have an implant it may be prudent to do it sooner rather than later. Of course who knows what's going to happen we'll just have to wait and see for that kind of like with our implant.

[mschicago]

Thanks but shutdown highly unlikely. It’s right before an election and GOP wants you thinking about inflation not how they shut down the government when you vote.

[Red5150]

Thanks but shutdown highly unlikely. It’s right before an election and GOP wants you thinking about inflation not how they shut down the government when you vote.

GOP doenst control the occupied territory of IL, silver spoon Prickster and the democrats do. However I think people would absolutely drop their cake and not put up with it again. Good luck with Levine he’s a good guy and if I decide on an implant he’s who I will 99% probably go with. He’s done over 3500, 1.25 % infection rate, penoscrotal , uses Titan, same day surgery, will size as aggressively as possible. Bandbaustin was also kind enough to talk to me about his surgery with Levine.

[newbie443]

As previously noted on this forum, I have complete ED as of late 2019 due to uncontrolled diabetes. I got the diabetes under control but did nothing for the ED because my wife was diagnosed with cancer around the same time (ultimately passing away from CV-19 in 8/21 as she was immunocompromised) and of course a pandemic happened.

It took about 9 months to start feeling better after her death and I am now ready to date but the ED stands in the way. I just set up a consultation with Dr. Lawrence Levine in Chicago for August 2nd. Not sure when I can have implant surgery but mid-October would be a perfect time if possible.

Anyway, knowing what you know now, what would you ask at the consult? First and foremost for me is I want to know everything he can tell me about how he keeps infection to an absolute minimum possible. Second, I already have some atrophy (3.25 inches when flaccid these days) and want to know what he can do to fit the largest device that my penis will hold. Third - recovery time and procedure. What else should I be asking that I missed?

That is pretty good in that the doctor has a good reputation on this board. So questions to vet an unk doctor are really not needed. The specifics of this for me would be if you have a preference for surgical approach or device. As you have size loss the LGX is most often used unless you need stiffer cylinders for damage. A lot depends on your options. Are there other doctors you are considering for this? If this is the best doctor available to you for this then you are pretty much locked in with him.

You should start VED therapy or exercise now if you are not doing this already unless there is a reason for you not to use a VED. You can also do stretching exercises. I put my thumb on top and fingers below at the junction of the glans and shaft. stretch straight out and hold a a couple of seconds and then back to your body. Then up to your belly button, down to the floor, right and then left. Repeat for the time you have available. Use gentle pressure with this and the VED as you can cause damage. I used the stretching when I did not have time for VED. There are 2 really good papers in the documents worth reading thread in the general discussion section of this forum. I recommend reading them before starting VED exercise.

Good luck going forward with this.