*** For all those that were able to perform pre-implant, just not optimally ***

[Luther]

As the title states, I would like to hear the experiences of those that were able to perform sexually, but just not in the way they wanted to perform, e.g. needed loads of Viagra/Cialis to stay erect, lost rigidity when not continually stimulated or in certain positions, had to wear a very tight cock ring, etc.

Thus, I am not addressing the men here that basically had not other option than having the implant (e.g. those with ED after prostatectomy), but only those that had actually quite a lot to lose.

As you may understand, I am in that position. I am scheduled for P.I. surgery in December (with European high volume specialist). Although I have been studying and deliberating the pros and cons for years, I still am in doubt if I should choose for a surgery or not.

A bit about me: in my forties, suffering from ED most of my adult life, in good health, tried every medical and mental approach (PDE5-i, injections, psychologist, sexologist, etc.), however, erections are only of (reasonable) good quality when combining high dosages of PDE5-i and a tight cock ring. Even then, the erection during penetrative sex often diminishes to 75% hardness, which is not very satisfactory for both parties, and some positions (specifically lying on back like in 'cow girl') are a definite no-go.

Despite of the limitations and frustrations, sex is a very important part of my life that I enjoy very much, and I am sexually active every day (either with a partner or solo sex). Thus, as I see it, I have "quite a lot to lose" if the P.I. surgery would prevent me from keep doing that (or would introduce even greater limitations).

My question to all men that have been (or still are) in a similar position: what made you decide to choose for P.I. surgery (y/n) and, most importantly (!), if you choose that route, would you make the same decision in hindsight?

What, in particular, are important issues for me that may make me decide NOT to opt for P.I. surgery in December are:

- My dick is large (22cm length x 17 cm circumference; i.e. 8.7 x 6.7 inch). I take great pride in having a big dick (I completely agree, its not what is important for good sex. Actually, quite the contrary....) and P.I. likely will result in a loss of size. Specifically, concerning the girth as implants are available in different lengths but not with different circumferences.

- I am sexually active every day. This greatly increases the chances that the implant will have to be replaced after a relatively short period of time, and for mutiple times during my life.

- I am not in a relationship. When dating or having a one night stand I would find it quite embarrassing to pump up in front of a women (even more than putting on a cock ring, as is the case right now).

- I travel quite a lot and often accompanied by colleagues. I have read the stories of the 'red light' the implant sets off at airport securities controls. It would be so unfomfortable to face that situation every time I travel.

Of course there are a lot of other potential reasons not to take a P.I. (and a lot of reasons in favor of a P.I.), but the previous ones are the objections that most likely have the largest weight when I weigh the pros and cons and try to answer the question: should I take a P.I. yes or no?

[newbiehere23]

What doses of PDE5 inhibitors do you need? Have you tried combining viagra and cialis?

[Luther]

I take a daily dose of 10mg Tadalafil (Cialis), and when I know I am going to have have sex, I increase the dose to 20 - 60 mg and/or take 200mg Sildenafil (Viagra).

[ShouldIwait]

Have you tried injections?

[Txagq8]

Injections and 100 mg Viagra would allow me to have sex before surgery. The Viagra usually left me with a headache, heartburn, or both. It wasn’t great sex. I still required a lot of stimulation to stay hard. The constant stress about losing an erection(even when I didn’t, the stress and fear were there) often resulted in a long time to ejaculate. So yeah, without an implant I was able to have something called sex but it was a long way from good, satisfying sex.

You know, that implant doesn’t have a “best by” or expiration date on it any more than a human being does. Using it frequently might cause more wear and tear, but once it is in its kind of a crapshoot. Even with multiple uses daily it might have something go wrong in 2 years, or it might last 20 years.

With something that large you are probably going to lose some size. The truth is with an implant (what my surgeon told me, anyhow) is that the goal should be to get you back to where you were, or at least very close. In my book you fall into the “huge” category and I don’t know what you would expect in terms of loss. I was 17 cm length 15 cm girth which I would call large but not huge. I ended up losing less than half a cm in length but a full cm in girth.

Here’s the bottom line. If it’s cold feet the night before surgery, get it done. Lots of guys have those feelings. BUT if you really aren’t sure that an implant is right for you, you probably need to wait until you are sure. It’s a big step, it’s not reversible, and I found the surgery easy but the recovery isn’t always a picnic.

[Craigohbig]

I think you’ll lose some girth…length won’t be an issue

[azmike]

Very good questions. I am similar in size and like you I really want to keep it or as close as possible. This is a very helpful forum and you should receive opinions that will help you make your decision. Some have had very good results keeping their very large size. Craigohbig who posted above is one example. So far injections are enough help for me when needed but I have learned a lot on this forum which will undoubtedly help me make my decision one day. Good luck.

[Luther]

Have you tried injections?

Yes, I have. With regard to hardness it actually did little for me (I tried different products).

Twice a doctor injected me (once combined with a Doppler test, which seemingly showed a venuous leak) and in both cases almost no erection occured.

[Luther]

Injections and 100 mg Viagra would allow me to have sex before surgery. The Viagra usually left me with a headache, heartburn, or both. It wasn’t great sex. I still required a lot of stimulation to stay hard. The constant stress about losing an erection(even when I didn’t, the stress and fear were there) often resulted in a long time to ejaculate. So yeah, without an implant I was able to have something called sex but it was a long way from good, satisfying sex.

You know, that implant doesn’t have a “best by” or expiration date on it any more than a human being does. Using it frequently might cause more wear and tear, but once it is in its kind of a crapshoot. Even with multiple uses daily it might have something go wrong in 2 years, or it might last 20 years.

With something that large you are probably going to lose some size. The truth is with an implant (what my surgeon told me, anyhow) is that the goal should be to get you back to where you were, or at least very close. In my book you fall into the “huge” category and I don’t know what you would expect in terms of loss. I was 17 cm length 15 cm girth which I would call large but not huge. I ended up losing less than half a cm in length but a full cm in girth.

Here’s the bottom line. If it’s cold feet the night before surgery, get it done. Lots of guys have those feelings. BUT if you really aren’t sure that an implant is right for you, you probably need to wait until you are sure. It’s a big step, it’s not reversible, and I found the surgery easy but the recovery isn’t always a picnic.

Thanks for sharing your experience and your advice. I think I agree with most of the points you raise. If a P.I. surgery would turn out well, probably the biggest advantage it would bring that I would no longer have to be concerned about maintaining an erection during sex and I could just immerse in the sexual act, i.e. enjoy it more. So yes, I can relate to what you are saying.

With regard to your final advice, you are phrasing my actual standpoint right now. If I still have serious doubts about the surgery at the beginning of November, I will postpone/cancel it.

[Luther]

Very good questions. I am similar in size and like you I really want to keep it or as close as possible. This is a very helpful forum and you should receive opinions that will help you make your decision. Some have had very good results keeping their very large size. Craigohbig who posted above is one example. So far injections are enough help for me when needed but I have learned a lot on this forum which will undoubtedly help me make my decision one day. Good luck.

Thanks! I agree, I have been reading the forum for a couple of years, and the information has been valuable, especially when combining it with other sources of information (e.g. scientific publications).