New member with recent AMS implant

[micromitso]

I've been lurking for a while, and putting off introducing myself a while longer, but it's about time I told my story.

My story is a bit long and complicated, but I doubt that I'm unique. First we'll start with my age: 68, and my marital status: widower. So what's a guy my age with no sexual partner doing getting a penile implant?

I married my high school sweetheart, and for more than 40 years of our 48 year marriage we had an active sex life that we both found important and fulfilling. About 15 years ago I started having trouble maintaining erections -- at first annoying, then worrisome, and finally scary. Fortunately for me, Viagra was available, and my HMO supplied it. I started with a half pill as prescribed and WOW did it work! Smiles all around. I went to a quarter pill, and everything was back to normal for years.

As time went by I had to go to a half pill again, then a full dose. About the time that things were getting seriously dicey, my wife was diagnosed with her last, long, fatal illness, and sex waned and finally ended. Co-incidentally about a year before she died, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer -- as though there wasn't enough to deal with.

I opted for radiation, so I could continue to "do the heavy lifting" and take care of my ailing wife. The philosophy where I was treated was "use it or lose it" and so I wouldn't lose all sexual function, I "flew solo" a couple times a week, on doctor's orders, of course!!!

Some time after my wife's death, I decided to see what the lay of the land was in terms of dating, and perhaps a whole new chapter in my life. (My cancer treatment was apparently successful, judging by my PSA scores. And though I could still have an orgasm, my willie was virtually always flaccid.) I found that the women in my age group were still very much interested in sexual activity, and were quite frank about it.

So, of course I started researching, talked with my doctors, and by a process of elimination determined that a penile implant was the best option for the future.

My surgery was Sept 18 (nearly three weeks ago), and my surgeon implanted an AMS 700MS. No drama in recovery, just what you'd expect -- the drain needed to stay in a bit longer, and that was a hassle. He's also put me on weight restriction, so I can't lift much for the 4-6 weeks we all know so well, but I have an adult kid living with me so I can manage OK.

I found this site searching the Internet (as I suspect most guys do), and it's a bit embarrassing to admit what I was looking for. My surgeon laid down the law about leaving the implant alone in terms of inflation etc., but he never mentioned masturbation, and I didn't ask. His procedure is to leave the cylinders partially filled, so for 4-6 weeks I'm going around with a partial-boner!

Well, I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone the effect that had on a guy who hadn't had any sort of erection for months, even years. I was horny as hell in spite of the soreness and discomfort -- by the way, this was my first surgery ... ever! So I came here looking to see what advice/experience the members had to share on masturbation after surgery.

Comments varied, of course, but in the end, the little brain ended up winning (doesn't it always?) and I very carefully gave my semi-hard penis (and my libido) some relief. No damage was done, and at my next check-up, the doctor seemed pleased with the reduction in bruising and the general progress of healing. So I'm happily "using it so I don't lose it."

Not quite half-way through the recovery period, most of the discomfort is gone, but some twinges remain, and I find it hard to sit for long periods of time (e.g. at a concert or movie) without wanting to "adjust" my new equipment. At home I go around commando in light jersey shorts so there's no constriction and I'm quite comfortable most of the time.

The big challenge for me, I suppose, will be in the months to come, when I start dating in earnest, and have to figure out how to "get it up" without a lot of falderol -- and when or if I should tell a woman that I'm serious about, about my bionic penis.

Thanks to all the guys here who've contributed so much. I hope I can repay some of their efforts by my little contribution.

[Bionic_by_AMS]

micromitso ... Welcome to FT ...
Don't worry about going solo ... you won't damage anything.

As for the twinges ... those are "ghost pains" and are normal, and will go away over the next few months. For sitting ... try an inflatable donut cushion, I use mine everyday.

As for dating ... it's best to be up front about your situation. I would explain that cancer treatments took away your ability to have an erection, but you have had surgery to correct that, and can preform better than ever. You can be as detailed as you are comfortable with ... don't be embarrassed ... be proud. Your confidence will show thru and put them at ease ...

[JerGeezer]

Micromitso: I'm 71 and am about to get my third implant. Be up-front with the ladies about the implant, but only if it's important to you that they know. The fact is they don't care how you manage to keep it up so long, but are happy you can, so don't worry at all about this.

In a long term relationship she's gonna find out sooner or later, so you may as well tell her. Every lady with whom I was involved over the years was happy about the implant, whether or not they even knew it was there.

I am not involved with any lady right now, but am getting another implant simply because I want to be ready should I once again be involved. It's wonderful not having to worry about getting it up.

[bigrgarv]

Why third implant? I was under the impression these implant last up to 15 years, have u had one for that long? Thanks