Interviews with three docs coming up - Questions

[psyched123]

After following this forum for a while, I have finally made the decision to go ahead. Like most of you, Viagra and Cialis have finally stopped working consistently and I find with injections a problem of not subsiding in short enough time. I have learned from you guys to seek a high volume surgeon and I have initial interviews scheduled with: Dr. Allen Morey - Dallas; Dr. Mark Allen - Plano; and Dr. Cornell - Houston.

I found Dr. Morey's office to be the most efficient so far. In fact, his nurse, Mary, suggested that she go ahead right now (2 weeks before the appt) and start the request for coverage from my Humana Medicare Advantage. She said that it takes about 4-5 weeks to get approval and starting now would shorten the time. I told her that I have appts with other docs, but she said that, once approved, I could go to any surgeon and wasn't locked into Dr. Morey. So ... the process is already underway.

This, of course, makes me already lean toward Dr. Morey, but an info video by Dr. Morey sent to me by Mary concerns me. His credentials and his reputation on this forum are absolutely stellar. However, he is a professor at UT Southwestern Med school and he indicated that the surgery procedure is done by a team of residents and fellows that he supervises. My concern is that the actual surgery is being performed by a doc in training, not him. I have a friend who had a not so good result from a resident performing supervised surgery. I'm hoping to get assurance that he will be doing the work when I meet with him next week.

My other concern is retaining penis length. It seems that it is somewhat common to lose around and inch with an implant. I would not like this at all. Any info on this from you guys would be really appreciated.

Also, time until recovery of function seems to be varied depending on the doc. Dr. Morey makes a firm 6 week appt for the first full inflation. However, it seems that others are resuming activities at around 4 weeks. What's your experience here?

Is the surgery always a spinal block or do some have general anesthesia?

As I'm writing this post I find myself getting some jitters

Any other questions I should ask these docs?

[jelizondo12]

hi, I was implanted 6/1/15 with AMS 700 cx by Doctor Cornell and I was very pleased with his office, the hospital (St Joseph) and especially Dr Cornell. During our initial meeting he sat down and we talked about my options and he took his time with me about 30 minutes. The operation started on time and was over in about 35 minutes, spend the night in the hospital and he checked out his work the next morning and released me. Must confess I had plenty of pain but I also had plenty of pain pills. At first I went from almost 6 inch length down to 4 1/2 inches which concerned me greatly but now I am at 5 1/2 and I believe I will grow a little bit more. My girth came back also so I am a happy camper. Did not get spinal block, the only thing that was a nuisance was the Cather over night. one thing that I wish was different was the incision I directly over the deflate button so I have to maneuver the skin around so I don't press on the incision. I also had the jitters and even wanted to jerk the damn implant out the first day I saw my poor short penis all black and blue but it paid of in the end. I have had sex several times with good results. go for but be patient p.s don't let a student touch your penis

[gingerman9]

I also was implanted by Dr. Cornell on June 29, 2015. I had scheduled the implant operation with another doctor but switched to Dr. Cornell because his preoperative protocols (use of the VED) to maintain size and early activation (4 weeks instead of 6 weeks) were more in line with my expectations. He also convinced me to go with the AMS CX implant over the Coloplast Titan because he said the risk of infection is significantly lower with the CX. I have been amazed that I lost no length and have gained some girth. When the glans inflates I am back at 9" in length and 6" in girth. Moreover, Dr. Cornell reduced the scrotal webbing which gave me more usable length. I had a general anaesthetic because the epidural was more expensive and possibly not as effective. The pain during the night after surgery was minimal and the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph Hospital were excellent. I took off work for ony one week because the post-operative pain was minimal. The scar on the scrotum healed without any problems and I did not have any infection. I cannot say enough good things about him and the procedure generally. Good luck.

[psyched123]

Thanks so much for your great information. Jelizondo, did Dr. Cornell discuss VED with you? VED seems to be suggested as a way to retain pre-op penis size after the operation.

[KMeister]

Thanks so much for your great information. Jelizondo, did Dr. Cornell discuss VED with you? VED seems to be suggested as a way to retain pre-op penis size after the operation.

The VED is to be used BEFORE the operation, definitely not after.

KMeister

[KMeister]

...This, of course, makes me already lean toward Dr. Morey, but an info video by Dr. Morey sent to me by Mary concerns me. His credentials and his reputation on this forum are absolutely stellar. However, he is a professor at UT Southwestern Med school and he indicated that the surgery procedure is done by a team of residents and fellows that he supervises. My concern is that the actual surgery is being performed by a doc in training, not him. I have a friend who had a not so good result from a resident performing supervised surgery. I'm hoping to get assurance that he will be doing the work when I meet with him next week.

My other concern is retaining penis length. It seems that it is somewhat common to lose around and inch with an implant. I would not like this at all. Any info on this from you guys would be really appreciated.

Also, time until recovery of function seems to be varied depending on the doc. Dr. Morey makes a firm 6 week appt for the first full inflation. However, it seems that others are resuming activities at around 4 weeks. What's your experience here?

Is the surgery always a spinal block or do some have general anesthesia?

As I'm writing this post I find myself getting some jitters

Any other questions I should ask these docs?

Residents performing surgery is quite common. I bet many of us have had surgeries performed by residents and didn't even know it.

Losing penis length is not as common as it used to be, but ask your doctor about the probability. I did not lose any length.

I've had the surgery done 3 times and each time it was under general anesthesia. I've never heard of it being done under spinal block.

Recovery varies greatly from patient to patient. I definitely did not resume normal activity in four weeks. It was more like two months.

As far as other questions, I recommend being absolutely clear about out of pocket costs, taking into account how you are paying (medical insurance, cash, etc.).

Good luck!

KMeister

[dg_moore]

Thanks so much for your great information. Jelizondo, did Dr. Cornell discuss VED with you? VED seems to be suggested as a way to retain pre-op penis size after the operation.

The VED is to be used BEFORE the operation, definitely not after.

KMeister

Exactly correct! Several here have inquired about using a VED after being implanted. The answer is NO.

[alibaba]

i had a spinal for thoracic surgery and hated it only because the needle stayed in for 3 days for pain control. No issue with the anesthetic. All fine once I convinced them to take the damn thing out. Last year Dr. Eid said he prefers spinal because it relaxes the smooth muscles making implanting easier. I plan on asking for spinal this time for that reason. d

[psyched123]

I had my interviews Monday with Dr. Morey and Dr. Allen. All along, I have been impressed by Dr. Morey's staff. When I called for my initial appointment, his nurse, Mary, suggested that she go ahead and start the approval process with Medicare to get a jump on how long it takes for approval during the end of year busy season. I just got a call from my Humana Medicare Advantage yesterday that my surgery has been approved.

I liked Dr. Allen, but felt more comfortable when interviewing with Dr. Morey. He is considered an international expert and supremely competent in implant surgery. In fact, he has been invited to spend the next two weeks in Australia teaching Aussie docs how to perform the operation. I, therefore, have scheduled to have my surgery on Nov. 12th with Dr. Morey.

Now, to start thinking about all the pain, recovery, and logistics that goes with that Since I'll be from out-of-town, I'll have to get my wife a hotel room so she'll be well rested to navigate Dallas traffic going home the next morning. Already, worried about spending the night with the dreaded catheter tube. Good advice from this forum: Get an inflatable donut to sit on and some Senokot to take before going into surgery to ease the bowel problems that will come from the pain killers. Any other considerations before my big day?

[dg_moore]

Don't worry about the catheter. Odds are you'll barely notice it's there, and removal will be quick and easy. Take the hospital urinal home with you - you'll find it very handy for the first couple of days. Use plenty of ice packs along with Tylenol or your prescribed pain meds (you may not even need the latter - many, including me, have not). Good luck!