My implant journey June 2024

[pjt1958]

Background Story: I’m 65 years old, retired chemical engineer. My 2nd wife is 60 years old. I developed ED around the time of the divorce with my 1st wife about 10 years ago. I initially tried Viagra, tadalafil which worked for a few years but the effect was dying down. Ended up testosterone therapy with minimal improvement. At the time, was deciding on injection therapy and decided to go that route. Similar was getting sick of doing the injections especially in a new relationship. Ended up finding franktalk which was a blessing. So much information direct from those who experience and live with this condition. So hard in my community and culture to talk about ED due to the negative stigma that I’ve never had anyone to give me real advice. I waited till recently (Medicare) to move forward with an implant. Thankfully in southern California we have quite a few “high-volume” surgeons. Based on my initial research I was leaning toward AMS device.

I first met with Dr. Yafi at UCI and then worked my way to Dr. Loh Doyle at USC and Dr. Patel at UCSD. I also did a virtual consultation with Dr. Blick in Arizona and Dr. Clavell in Houston. My wife and I had a good gut feeling about Dr. Patel so we decided to book surgery. I had my doubts initially if I was making the right decision about the implant, about the surgeon, leading up to the surgery. Had another pre-op appointment a few days before the implant and provided reassurance to move forward. I really tried hard to get all the details I could about the implant, technique, post-op, etc. Seems that many surgeons fall off in the post-op period or hand you off to an assistant, but Dr. Patel reassured me that he would see me in the two and four weeks after surgery in person for cycling.

I underwent surgery on 6/26 with Dr. Patel. He met with me right before the surgery, cleared up some questions, introduced me to one of his assistants, anesthesia doctor. Seems like the surgery took 1 hour based on the notes and I received a AMS CX 700 21 cm without rears, also a scrotoplasty to address webbing. Immediately afterwards I did not see the doctor but he spoke with my wife. I was very groggy. More soreness in the penis I think from the urine tube but not painful. Doctor recommended keeping in the urine tube for 24 hours. I ended up spending the night at the hospital just for convenience. No drains just a complicated wrapping and creative jock/pad setup. I was able to walk around the room that night and get out to the outdoor patio on the hospital ward that afternoon. Pain was surprisingly very managed. I thought it made sense to really stay on top of the pain aspect, but realized that wasn’t too bad on day 1. A lot of anxiety and regret immediately afterwards – (what did I just do, etc) but balanced with some excitement.

Day 1 – early wakeup at the hospital and was not able to get great sleep due to the nurses always coming in. Had my urine tube removed (quick but not pleasant), the dressing was removed, and got a final dose of intravenous antibiotics. There was some blood on the bandages but nothing crazy. The scrotum was a little swollen but not too much bruising. I was discharged by lunch. The surgeon had mentioned that he usually doesn’t prescribe any percocets or strong pain medicine, but because of my drive I requested some. My wife drove me home about 1.5 hours away. My scrotum felt every single bump in the road. I ended up folding two towels underneath each of my buttchecks to help. Wish I had a donut seat or something for the ride home. I stayed on the pain medication protocol recommended by the doctor. I continued to keep things tight, elevated, and ice pack. Slept like a baby this night at home. I did not actually up taking any of the stronger Percocet type medicine at all – just Tylenol alternating with ibuprofen.

Day 2 – pain was most intense (although maybe 4/10 at the worst in the morning – I think because I lapsed on the alternating medicines overnight). Tried to take a warm shower today which felt great, except on the penis head. The penis head was very sensitive. I used the babysock idea proposed on franktalk and that worked well. My implant was left partially up as discussed with the surgeon before surgery – and hard to conceal. Scrotum still more or less sore. Was able to get out to walk with the wife and dog in the neighborhood today. Applying a lot of triple antibiotic ointment to the incision as recommended.

Day 3-5 – I feel like every day the discomfort and swelling was slowly improving in the scrotum. The scrotoplasty looks good but feels a little tight and swollen – time will tell but everything is still all together and connect. I was instructed to start tugging on the pump just to get a feel of the pump in my scrotum. I didn’t really know if I was doing it right. Sent a patient message to the doctor, got a response later in the day about the specifics. Tried to wear double underwear technique with loose jogging pants over most of the day. Really tried to take it easy most of the days and try to get out for a walk twice a day in the neighborhood.

I’m now almost one week out from surgery. I would say it is in line with my expectations and what I had discussed with the surgeon on the two meeting before the surgery and day of surgery. I have my first post surgery check in one more week. Excited to get this thing deflated, but not sure if I’m ready to really start cycling since the scrotum and pump is still tender/sore. Constantly going through all the notes I've made from all the information I've obtained about the recovery and how to get the best outcome with this surgery. I’m still trying to do what I can to pull on the pump as instructed. Not out of the woods yet, but excited to share my journey with others to learn from my experience, just like I have.

-Peter

[Rider1400]

Sounds very text book so far! Hope you’re icing at least the first week. Seemed to do me a lot of good at first, then warm showers were the best! Good luck in your recovery.

[LetoMan]

Welcome to the brotherhood, PJT!

[pjt1958]

Thanks for the support.

Day: 7: Seems like things are looking up - pain improving. Glans is still very sensitive. Finished my antibiotics for five days after the surgery and i think it was causing upset stomach possibly as now things are better and I have more of an appeitite. Having a difficult time getting oriented to the pump in my scrotum. I have not attempted to cycle yet as instructed by the doctor to wait until 1st appointment. Should be a lazy holiday weekend and have my first appointment on Monday hopefully to start cycling.

[SWorks17]

Welcome to the Bionic Brotherhood PJT

We all look forward to your journey to put ED behind you. From your journey so far, you are ahead of the curve on pain and healing.

Keep us updated and reach out if you have questions.

Congratulations PJT,

SWorks

[pjt1958]

Thanks all for the support!

Day 10 - Went in to the surgeon for first post-op surgery appointment. I did meet with the surgeon personally which was great rather than getting handed off to an assistant. He deflated me completely which was very very uncomfortable, inflation aspect was a little better tolerated but even just slightly engorged appearance the tips were tender in the penis head. I had a hard time in the office this morning, but the doctor was patient. I was kind of getting frustrated and surprised that it is this difficult to use! I was reassured that it was normal healing and it will get easier, but hoping that cycling at home will be somewhat easier. I was recommended to start in hot shower or use a warm pack before any attempts. Any other tricks anyone has to make handling the pump a little easier?!

When tug on it no problems, only when I need to pump it up or bring it down just seems like a rock. Just got home from the appointment this morning and just replaying everything in my head.

[pjt1958]

As an update - pumping is getting a little easier, but I feel like I only get like 7-8 pumps and the bulb is already hard and my penis is not fully erect. Any recommendations here on how to get more fluid into the penis? Getting a little nervous because things seem a little shorter than what I would expect.

The surgeon told me to be patient but persistent with cycling, but I'm back to the what did I do to myself thoughts.

[SWorks17]

As an update - pumping is getting a little easier, but I feel like I only get like 7-8 pumps and the bulb is already hard and my penis is not fully erect. Any recommendations here on how to get more fluid into the penis? Getting a little nervous because things seem a little shorter than what I would expect.

The surgeon told me to be patient but persistent with cycling, but I'm back to the what did I do to myself thoughts.

PJT, everyone heals differently, you’re still very early on your journey. I wasn’t given clearance to cycle my implant until week 6 and I could barely get in 10 pumps. My doctor’s protocol was pump up as much as you can in the shower 20 minutes a day. At six weeks I was around 5 inches.
I use my right index finger knuckle and my thumb knuckle which uses your forearm muscles rather than your finger muscles which allows you to squeeze the pump more forcefully.
You have to cycle to get as much stretch before your surgerical capsule forms in your corpora’s.
I’m going to attach a AMS YouTube training video.

https://youtu.be/qwp0YfSLxIU?si=RE9hjka6vvlSlKLj

I hope this will help.

PM me if you want more specific answers to your questions

Good Luck,
S-Works

[jwdetails]

just stick with what the doc says - it will all work out. You are very early in the recovery - I sent you a private msg with some more pointers.

[HikerMan]

I’m now almost one week out from surgery. I would say it is in line with my expectations and what I had discussed with the surgeon on the two meeting before the surgery and day of surgery. I have my first post surgery check in one more week. Excited to get this thing deflated, but not sure if I’m ready to really start cycling since the scrotum and pump is still tender/sore. Constantly going through all the notes I've made from all the information I've obtained about the recovery and how to get the best outcome with this surgery. I’m still trying to do what I can to pull on the pump as instructed. Not out of the woods yet, but excited to share my journey with others to learn from my experience, just like I have.

-Peter


Glad to have you with us, Peter.
Welcome aboard.