Pros and Cons of an implant....

[Journeyman]

I had a fellow Franktalk member PM me ,asking about the pros and cons of an implant. To make the case for the implant, you'd have to understand the pros and cons on all ED treatments. I started reminiscing on my journey to an implant and would like to detail the pros and cons of each .....
1) Pills - ( viagra, cialis, other's) ....
Pros - You can achieve an erection
Cons - Time delay , it may take 30 to 60
minutes to take effect. Face flush, hot ,
red . Headaches possible.
Eventually will fail with time
2) Injections- ( Bi-mix , Tri-mix ) ....
Pros - You can achieve an erection
Cons- 15 minute delay . Needs
refrigeration. May have an
unwanted erection for 4 hours.
Need supplies. May cause
scarring. Will fail in time
3) Implant- ( 3 piece inflatable, Malleable).....
Pros - You can achieve an erection any
time you want for as long as you
want. Confidence in performing.
everytime. Spontaneity is
possible again and adds
excitement and opportunity.
May increase size . Most like
having normal erections.
Insurance may cover it .
Cons - Can be very expensive even with
Insurance coverage. May lose
size . Mechanical device will
Eventually fail and you'll need a
revision surgery to get another.

Well that's my list . I'm sure I've missed pros and cons on each as I was interrupted many times as I was putting this post together. Hours passed from the time I started until I finished typing this . If you have anything to add please do. I'm putting this together for the men out there on the fence or anxious about getting an implant. Trying to consolidate all the info in one post for them . I hope this helps

[Journeyman]

I had it spaced nice . The pros and cons were staggered in from the titled ED treatment. Hit submit and now it's all fucked ... my bad . Hope it doesn't hurt your eyes

[frwmw1]

Over 7 years ago, I managed to have sex just using pycnogenol, L-arginine and L-citrulline.

[Captain1117]

On the implant

Cons - Can be very expensive even with
Insurance coverage.

Are you referring to infections and or premature failure? If you are in US not sure why with insurance it will be expensive.

May lose
size .

There are lots of implanted members and couple of clinical reports where length has been restored with cycling protocols.

Mechanical device will
Eventually fail and you'll need a
revision surgery to get another.

Thats true but if it lasts lets say 5 years ...with insurance the financial risk is mitigated.Some members have reported up sizing opportunities on revisosn and of course we have heard about the next gen blue tooth enabled implant in next 5/7 years.

[Gt1956]

Fairly decent rundown on the options. #1 & #2 are pretty much certain to fail. Each method that fails is like getting ED all over again.
I'm only speaking to North America & some parts of Europe. If #3 fails? It can be done again. I've yet to read of a man that couldn't get a functional revision. Costs for #3 can vary widely but at least in the USA. At 65 medicare does cover it with minimal copays.
Sure seems like to me that #3 is a very good option. I realize that a small percentage of implanted men will be unhappy but the odds of being happy are largely in your favor.
I can't hardly wait for the chorus of "what about ...." to start or "I'm waiting for" fill in the blank.

[Journeyman]

On the implant

Cons - Can be very expensive even with
Insurance coverage.

Are you referring to infections and or premature failure? If you are in US not sure why with insurance it will be expensive.

May lose
size .

There are lots of implanted members and couple of clinical reports where length has been restored with cycling protocols.

Mechanical device will
Eventually fail and you'll need a
revision surgery to get another.

Thats true but if it lasts lets say 5 years ...with insurance the financial risk is mitigated.Some members have reported up sizing opportunities on revisosn and of course we have heard about the next gen blue tooth enabled implant in next 5/7 years.

I had insurance coverage and it still cost me 5k out of pocket. I had may gain size in my pros .... I did ! But some men complain about losing size , so I didn't want to sugar coat it . I've read stories on this site where some men have had 3 revisions in less than a year . I'm just providing some info from my own experiences and what I've read . I encourage everyone to share their pros and cons so men thinking about getting an implant can have the info they need ...good and bad .... to make an informed decision. Not everyone has the same results. Some men are ecstatic with their implant and others are devastated. Just trying to keep it real

[Journeyman]

I think most men are very satisfied with getting an implant. The dissatisfied are a smaller percentage for sure . I also believe patients of " High volume " surgeons are more likely to have better outcomes with a higher satisfaction rate. I said I was 5k out of pocket with insurance. I forgot to add the additional 2k it cost me to fly 2 people round trip , rental car for 4 days and hotel room for 4 days to travel to a high volume surgeon. So I personally paid 7k to get my implant. That's not cheap, not everyone can afford that .

[Time2Change]

I think it's important to highlight the pro of improvements in thinking, feeling, and relationships.

As pills lost their effectiveness, my mental and emotional states got worse and worse. And my relationships, especially with my wife, deteriorated.

Now, with the implant, I feel much better about myself. I am more confident and happy. And my relationships, especially with my wife, have improved.

[Old Guy]

Your list is pretty accurate. Some guys are able to use Viagra or Trimix for a long time and have good results though. Those methods don't always fail.
One point is very true, when one method does begin to fail it is like ED starting all over again. That is when the mental games started for me. Viagra wasn't working and the side effects were horrible. I didn't know about any other method at the time to regain erections. Depression kicked in, worried my younger wife would leave me or find sex elsewhere. Then found a doctor offering Trimix. Wow it was like a miracle drug. I was happy again although hated sticking a needle in my penis. Sadly, in just a few years Trimix started to have less and less effect even as the dose increased. Deep depression set in because I thought now my sex life was over. Then I found out about implants on a vacation to Vegas. Since my implant I have to say it's been great. No more planning sex, no more pills or shots. I wish I had found Frank Talk before taking my first Viagra.

[Journeyman]

I think it's important to highlight the pro of improvements in thinking, feeling, and relationships.

As pills lost their effectiveness, my mental and emotional states got worse and worse. And my relationships, especially with my wife, deteriorated.

Now, with the implant, I feel much better about myself. I am more confident and happy. And my relationships, especially with my wife, have improved.

I agree 100% . The biggest pro with an implant is it fixes you mentally as well as physically. I chronicled in great detail on other posts of how I was starting to spiral into a self loathing depression because of ED . I didn't even feel like a real man anymore. My life was work , eat , sleep, repeat ! Nothing to look forward to . I realized that if I didn't start to take action on what was weighing me down and ruining my life ,that I was heading towards self destruction. Not suicide, I'd never do that! But I just stopped caring about things. It wasn't a healthy mind set . So definitely MENTAL HEALTH IS THE BIGGEST PRO OF AN IMPLANT!