Consult - August 2nd - What to ask?

[mschicago]

Thanks to everyone for your input. Very helpful and appreciated. I will let you know how it goes on 8/2 but going forward with an implant because nothing else works. Only issue would be if I absolutely hated Levine and needed to find someone else. Highly doubt I will. Also, thanks for the tip on the VED. Will order one and start using!

[Flounder]

My advise, don’t whip out a check list of questions to kick off the initial consult. That’s a good way to piss off the surgeon and get off on the wrong footing. What I’m saying is prepare your check list, but keep it in your pocket until the end when he asks for questions.

I did four consultations. Two were with local surgeons never mentioned here but one was listed on AMS and the other on Titan’s provider search tool. The third is higher volume mentioned occasionally on FT with praise and he advocates the Perito minimally invasive procedure. The final consult was with Dr Eid. What I found is that regardless of fame, brand preference, volume, or surgery method, they all followed the same basic script during the initial consult.

First they want to hear about your medical history, when ED started, what you’ve tried to date, your concerns, etc. Note, don’t question his methods as a way to express your concerns. As example just say; I’m diabetic and very concerned about infection or I’ve read that size loss is the number one complaint about implants and that concerns me too. A good surgeon will hear your concerns and address them in his presentation to you without turning it into a Q&A session.

Secondly, listen. I found all 4 surgeons already had their presentations ready that addressed most of the questions all men have. And they should address your special concerns in detail during their sales pitch (for lack of better term)

Finally they will ask if you have any questions. That’s the time to check your list but in my experience, most everything was already mentioned in their presentation and reading materials provided.

[mschicago]

So, I had my consult today with Dr. Levine. I have to say I was impressed. Very professional and personable and both Dr. Levine and his PA answered all of my questions and I had a bunch. He actually physically examined me which I appreciated and did a stretch test. Turns out I have more length than I thought since I must not have been doing the length test correctly. 14 centimeters to the tip (12 centimeters before the head). 11 centimeters in girth. Definitely lost some size due to atrophy since 2019 when I could no longer get erections but was pleased it was not as short as I thought it was but he noted I am now basically "average" length which is better than my fears.

He implants both Titan and AMS and told me he thinks AMS is best for my situation so we are going with that. Uses penoscrotal approach. 1.2% infection rate. Unfortunately he also advised I now have RE due to my diabetes so that sucks.

Overall I was quite pleased and have scheduled surgery for October 24th. This gives me time to get through some other minor health issues I have along with finishing remodeling of my house which is ongoing. He also advised me to get a stretching device (brochure not in front of me right now) and I should be able to eke out another half inch by 10/24 if I am aggressive with it. Have a couple of trips in December including to Costa Rica so I am hoping to be able to be pretty much healed up when I return so I can start dating again at the start of 2023.

I will keep everyone up to date on my journey but thanks for all the input and help so far!