ABOUT ME
* 34 years old, 6'3", 215 lb, white/Jewish American
* Relatively healthy, except depression and anxiety in large part due to impotence
* On no prescriptions
* Penile length before Peyronie's surgery (2007) was about 8.5"
* Penile length after Peyronie's surgery but before yesterday's implant was about: 7.5"
* Size today not clear because I'm still bandaged, but visually I am very pleased and suspect I haven't lost much, if any, size
* I have used Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis hundreds of times over the years with mixed results (except the viagra headaches were consistent)
BACKGROUND
I had a significant penile downward curvature as far back as I remember, likely congenital. Underwent Peyronies plication surgery in 2007 at age 19 which reduced curve (pictures below). However, venous leakage and issues related to Peyronie's caused erection failures with increasing frequency over the years. I can usually achieve an erection for a few moments but if stimulation pauses, the penis deflates very quickly.
Sex has become close to impossible. About a year ago I had a chance to have sex with an absolutely stunning, jaw-dropping girl who I was crazy about for awhile, but (you guessed it) I couldn't perform. She was kind about it, and I had this happen before many times with other women, but for some reason I decided then that I couldn't live like this anymore and began lurking FrankTalk and researching a real solution to ED. I needed to find the missing intimacy of a loving and satisfied sexual partner.
A few months ago I called Dr. Clavell's office and setup a video appointment. He was unbelievably patient, helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. He didn't rush me and didn't give off salesman vibes at all. His staff are also wonderful and eager to help. During the call we talked about my health background and about if I was a good candidate for an implant. One thing to note is Dr. Clavell will not choose your AMS or Coloplast device type, he gives you a list of pros and cons as he sees them to help you choose. I went with Coloplast. Note that he uses the penoscrotal method for implantation. I setup an appointment to have surgery on July 13th, 2022 at 7am. I paid out of pocket, about $20,000.
DAY OF SURGERY - BEFORE PROCEDURE
I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am and was taken up to the pre-op area. I stripped and put on the typical patient gown and hospital socks. A nurse came and went through a bunch of questions for about 30 minutes before putting an IV into my arm. I was in the room for awhile afterwards (it had a TV and private bathroom).
Around 6:30am I was taken in my bed to the next pre-op area, where about 4 other patients were, and was slid into a little "room" with curtain walls. The anesthesiologist came and asked me to sign some forms and explained in great detail what would happen with respect to the anesthetic. I had surgery before so I wasn't worried about that part but I appreciated her professionalism and respect of keeping me informed.
Afterwards, a few other nurses would come and go and ask me things. I was told I needed to "void" AKA use the toilet before the procedure, so a nurse walked with me to the bathroom and waited for me to finish (I could only pee because I had used the suggested enema the night before).
Soon after I met Dr. Clavell who was coming through the pre-op area. He had 4 surgeries scheduled for that day, including mine. He told me my surgery would be a little delayed (to 9am) which I was fine with. I asked him some questions and he patiently responded. All in all his presence seemed to really ease my anxiety. You could also tell the nurses really respected him and admired him.
Then I waited about 2 hours, which wasn't a big deal. The nurses were so friendly and they often came and chatted with me and were very honest and open and welcoming. Finally, the orderly came to wheel me to the surgery room. When I entered there were 3-4 nurses doing various things all over the room. They wheeled me to the center and my anesthesiologist asked if I was comfortable and ready. I was definitely comfortable because just before the anesthesia they give you some very relaxing IV medicine which makes you feel peaceful and easy-going. She placed a gas mask on my face, I didn't feel anything so I made the joke to her that "Aren't I supposed to count down from 10, or is that just in the movies?" and she laughed and said "You can try". I got to 8.
DAY OF SURGERY - AFTER PROCEDURE
I woke up in the surgery room groggy and anxious, but also consciously aware. The anesthesiologist was right in front of me looking at me, and I asked "Is it over?" and she said "You're all done and it went great!". Shortly after they wheeled me, still groggy, to the same pre-op room I was in just before. A nurse came and asked about my pain, I said "3 or 4". When she asked me 20 minutes later I said "4 or 5 and I'm a little anxious it's gonna keep getting worse". She brought be a pill of codeine which I took and that helped a lot.
As I became more awake, I started exploring my self. My penis was erect at about 60% and much straighter, and the base and testicles were covered thoroughly with bulky bandages. My penis also felt completely numb to the touch, which is normal and due to the ~72 hour painkiller that Dr. Clavell injects during surgery. Even today, 24 hours later, it is still quite numb.
A nurse came and told me I needed to recover for 4 hours before leaving. I didn't mind because I didn't want to move, but multiple people earlier told me I only would recover for 1 hour before being discharged. I ended up making friends with one of the nurses, we chatted a lot and she took great care of me, taking me to the bathroom multiple times and just visiting my curtained room to make jokes and check on me. She was an angel and I'm really grateful to her for keeping me calm and pain-free.
At some point, Dr. Clavell came to visit me. The first thing he said was that the procedure went perfectly. He informed me he used the 26cm (10.3 inches) Coloplast Titan because of the penile "length" that is hidden inside the body. He texted me from his personal phone so that I would have his number. It was a great exchange, he made me feel comfortable and happy with the decision.
Eventually, someone came and asked if my ride was ready. I went to and from with an Uber, so I said I can go any time. I said my goodbyes to everyone I chatted with, thanked them, and called my Uber. The van arrived in 3 minutes and took me to my AirBNB (a 5 minute drive) to recover at around 3pm.
That evening I was fully able to walk and was mostly pain free, but I had to pee every few hours due to the saline IV, but urinating was not painful. It was quite awkward to aim, however. I had my prescriptions delivered by an app called Favor from a nearby CVS pharmacy. It was waiting for me when I got back. My prescriptions were:
Gabapentin - Mild pain killer, taken one every 8 hours
Ketorolac - Severe pain killer (haven't taken yet)
Cephalexin - Antibiotic every 8 hours
Levofloxacin - Antibiotic every day, starting 1 day before surgery
I tried to sleep that night but only got a few hours of rest. I'm a side sleeper and wasn't able to lay comfortably on my side. I slept on my back but frequently had to get up to urinate. Note that I did not eat this entire day, I was not hungry when I got back from surgery.
24 HOURS LATER (AKA NOW)
Today, as I write this, is about 24 hours after the surgery. I am not in serious pain, although it is uncomfortable to rise from a laying/seated position. Picking things up from the ground is not pleasant.
I got out of bed to go get some snacks from the kitchen because I knew I didn't eat and wanted to give my body energy. I took one bite of a nutrition bar but my mouth was so dry and throat was sore that I painfully swallowed it and put the remainder aside. Drinking water has been very easy though, and now that it's a few hours later my sore throat doesn't appear to be much of a bother anymore. Credit to the anesthesiologist for that smooth intubation.
I have spent most of today laying down on beds and couches, and occassionally sitting. When I get into a comfortable position I can feel a little bit of throbbing in my penis (no sensation or pain in my testicles at all yet). However, the pain is not intolerable and I have been diligent taking Gabapentin, then 4 hours later Tylenol, then 4 hours later Gabapentin again, as instructed by the doctor. All in all, I have not been in nearly as much pain as I expected.
I am able to eat a little bit more now, but mostly I just want to be still. My mind is completely awake and sharp, so thankfully the medicines are not causing brain fog. I will try to eat some protein for dinner tonight and see how my body takes it.
LOGISTICS
I flew 4 hours to see Dr. Clavell because I had determined he was one of the best in the country. I am staying in an AirBNB alone, a few minutes away from the hospital. I am planning to fly back home on Sunday, which is 96 hours after surgery (4 days). All transportation is handled by Uber.
I am using DoorDash and Amazon Fresh to have groceries, medicine, and meals delivered to my door.
PHOTOS
Day before surgery
https://postimg.cc/DmKWk8KF
https://postimg.cc/XpL4Pvn2
4 hours after surgery
https://postimg.cc/f39b1h2J
24 hours after surgery
https://postimg.cc/t7ygvwh4
48 hours after surgery (immediately after removing bandages)
https://postimg.cc/xX86FTPQ
https://postimg.cc/30MM30n2
4 days after surgery (two angles)
https://i.postimg.cc/vBqyz6gn/20220717-094135.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/KzvFB5zF/20220717-094404.jpg
7 days
https://i.postimg.cc/cL6x89Bf/20220720-174315.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/1zqyv8Tt/20220720-174158.jpg
7 weeks (90% inflated, non-aroused, 3 angles)
https://postimg.cc/gallery/pygFzxc
I'm happy to answer any questions
