initial consultation questions

[Musson]

Over the next several weeks I have 2 initial consultations coming up with potential surgeons. I have a pretty good handle on the questions to ask but was wondering about the not-do-obvious questions to ask. Any brothers out there with advice on key questions you wish you had asked leading up to the go/no decision or the actual surgery?

[cb24oh]

I think you need to ask any and all questions you can think of. This is not a decision you want to go into wishing you had asked a question you didnt get answered

[cb24oh]

One question I wish I jad asked because of the the forum is why some are encouraged to cycle 3 days in post op (Dr Eid) and other are encouraged to wait 4-6 weeks. Just one I wished to seek different opinions on.

[UK_Steve]

Here's a list of the questions I put to Professor Ralf just before my implant. His answers are in red. This is taken from my blog. Hope it helps.

Professor Ralph (Q & A's)
I had a number of questions to ask before & after my implant operation. Here's a summary of the replies from Professor Ralph & his team for future reference.

1. How many implants did you carry out in 2018? over 250
2. Where will my operation take place? Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth
3. Do you give the option of both types of implant? Yes
4. Which Implant would you recommend for me? (after stretch measurement) Coloplast Titan 22cm. Would not recommend AMS greater than 18cm but would carry out final decision during operation. Mr Ralph showed & demonstrated both types on implants.
5. Will it be you (Mr Ralph) who will do the surgery? Yes!!
6. Do you use the "no touch" technique? He uses a modified version of the technique to allow better access.
7. Epidural or general anaesthetic? general
8. Abdominal or scrotal incision? scrotal
9. I'm concerned about stories about floppy glans. Caused by inexperienced surgeons. Not an issue!
10. Will I be partially inflated after the operation? Yes about 50%. I would have a catheter & drain tube inserted which will be removed the day after surgery. I will spend one night in hospital.
11. What about showers & baths post op? Glue will be applied to the wound which will allow me to shower and minimise infection. No baths for the first 2 weeks.
12. Should I pull down on the pump? No, not necessary.
13. Should I apply ice pack? No, not necessary
14. How long will it be before I will be free from soreness, tenderness? 2 to 3 weeks
15. Will the stitches be dissolving or have to be removed? dissolving
16. When will be my follow up appointment? about 2 weeks after operation when you will be instructed on how to cycle the implant.
17. If I have any issues how will I be able to contact you? Just contact the surgery
18. Should I apply any creams/Vaseline to the scrotal area after the operation? No
19. Any other advice?
• In future, ensure that you take antibiotics before any dental work involving injection.
• Use a hairdryer (cold setting) to dry around the wound after washing


65 years old
Diagnosed with PC in August 2017 - Biopsy Gleason 4+5=9
Radical Prostatectomy 14/12/17 no nerves spared - PSA now undetectable. ED since op. Tried MUSE and injections without success.
Titan 22cm + 1cm - 25/03/19 by Mr Ralph in London UK

[newbie443]

Not all doctors do replacement or repair surgery. They are more difficult and even some that do them are not that good at doing them. My local doctors that were in network for my insurance when I had my implant did not do repairs or replacements. Ask if you need a repair or replacement if the doctor dose them. If not ask where they send men and that would be the next place I would go. Ask how long you will need to wait for activation (starting to cycle). A study shows early activation has less size loss from surgery. Better doctors seem to have a shorter wait time.

You can ask about case volume as a very involved study of a large number of patients shows lower case volume has higher infection and reoperation rates. Also higher reoperation rates for other than infection and therefore the implants do not last as long. Thing is you will just be taking the doctors word for this. Health Grades used to be a place to check the doctors experience with penile implants. But it seems to be not as good at that now. You can check your doctor(s) on health grades and see if it lists experience for penile implants of just says may perform. Ask to speak to a man that the doctor did an implant on. Ask about size loss from surgery.

I think that doctors have learned the answers to give you to a lot of the questions. Talking to a man who was implanted will get you a more accurate answer to the questions. You can also put the doctor(s) name in the search function of this board and see if they turn up anything good or bad.

[ThailandBound]

I was inflated 50% for 6 weeks. Penoscrotal. I’ve read some stories on here about considerable pain with early activation (within the first week) by some members, including Dr. Eid’s patients . (noteworthy is the extensive journal by “merrick”, describing precisely this). I for one cannot imagine pumping a few days out. The swelling and sensitivity down below so soon would have put me in the through-the-roof pain category with any squeezing so soon. I didn’t touch a thing those 6 weeks.

How much length did i lose? Not one iota. And now girthier than before. Hard as a railroad spike if i so choose.

Ask about pain management. My doctor used a nerve block which very much mitigated pain those first 5 or so crucial days. This is reported as typical amongst the brothers here who had this same nerve block administered. I only ever required 1 pain pill. Otherwise, simply Tylenol. Ask about this.

[Musson]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.