Who told you about implant surgery?

[mouseco]

I'm 69 years old suffer from type 2 diabetes and heart disease. I've suffered from ED for several years. I had tried pills and they worked for only a short time. Discussing my private sex life even with a physician was very difficult and embarrassing to me.
My story begins when I was referred to a Urologist for the treatment of bladder cancer that was first detected at the ER.
About six months into cancer treatment I finally felt comfortable enough with this doctor to discuss my ED. I made an appointment and he advised me of all the possibilities available. I told him pills didn't work. Pumps and injections weren't appealing and penile implant seemed barbaric. He seemed to push the idea of penile implant as a more permanent solution.He reached in his desk drawer and pulled out a penile implant prostheteses and explained it in detail to me. I left his office with much to think about.
I started to search penile implant imformation on the Internet and finally decided that was the direction I wished to go forward with.I called his office made an appointment for surgery gave them my insurance imformation and proceeded with my pre-op physical. I never gave a thought to his surgical skills, after all he was doing a nice job with my bladder problem. His medical secretary called to tell me Cigna had approved the surgery and I asked her if he had preformed this surgery before. She answered yes, he does about one a month.
I reside in Baltimore County, Maryland and remembered in my search of the net, seeing a site for University of Maryland but at the time didn't bother to investigate the web site other than notice that it said "High Volume". My first impression of high volume was a McDonalds drive thru. I began to have second thoughts with this Doctor for my surgery. I went back on the net to read more about "High Volume" penile implant surgery. It was at this time that I first discovered Frank Talk. I must say my horizons were widened.
Dr Andrew Kramer's web site was very professional. I did a search on Frank Talk and was more than impressed.This Doc was arguably the best in the world and was right in my back yard. I immediately postponed my original surgery and arranged a consult with Dr Kramer. It was a no brainer. The day of my consult Dr Kramer walked in the room and I immediately felt comfortable. He had no airs about him. He was a regular guy. I told him my story he examined me, told me I had good stretch and felt I'd have a good result. He told me he does about five implants a week and over the course of his career has done several thousand. He explained to me the different types of prostheteses, their pros and cons. He explained the surgery and what to expect as far as the recovery process.
I scheduled the surgery and gave Connie his medical secretary my insurance information feeling confident it would be approved. Dr Kramer as well as University Hospital were in network and the procedure was already approved two weeks prior for the first Scheduled surgery. Imagine my surprise when Dr Kramer's office called to tell me Cigna turned down the surgery coverage. I called Cigna explained they had just approved the procedure two weeks prior and the only difference was I was changing Doctors and they were in network. Cigna wouldn't budge and told me of their appeal process.
The next step would be a peer to peer review between Dr Kramer and Cigna's Doctor. Dr Kramer's insurance person told me Dr Kramer was very busy and does not normally involve himself in insurance matters and insurance companies usually don't change their minds.I took the chance of E-mailing Dr Kramer directly and explaining the situation and requesting his assistance. Within the hour I received his reply. He felt it was absurd Cigna turned me down and would do what he could to get the review. Just let him know who to call. The review was scheduled and conducted and Cigna reversed their decision and approved the Surgery. At that time I was even more impressed with Dr Kramer.
It's now been more than ten weeks post-op and although recovery is not a walk in the park everything seems to be healing fine. The only problem was a slower than normal healing incision(Which I believe is due to years of taking blood thinners).I've had three occasions to E-mail Dr Kramer about concerns between follow up visits and each time he got back to me within the hour. When my concern warranted a follow up visit it was scheduled the very next day.
I can't say enough about my treatment by Dr Kramer and his staff as well as University of Maryland Hospital. He's a world class surgeon as well as a first class individual.

[dg_moore]

I'm 8 years post-op with Dr. Kramer and he is still responsive to any questions I have. Best doc I have ever dealt with.

[REM1947]

New here, first post. Have talked with my urologist for years. She has seen me try the pills, pump, shots, and has wanted me to get check-out for an implant. I have waited way to long to see the surgeon and now I am scheduled for surgery on Sept. 12, 2016. I will have the AMS 700 LGX Penile Prosthesis implanted. Can’t wait. I’m 68, should have had this done twenty years ago. Wished I would have found this web site earlier and maybe I would have. I am with the VA Medical System and surgery will be done in Pittsburgh, PA.

[palace01]

My Uro that did the Prostate Surgery first gave me pills. When they didn't work at all he did suggest implant. My lady-friend was with me at the time and her joking comment was that if I had one she needed to know exactly where the deflate button was!
HOWEVER I wanted to try other options first so we tried injections. It was during the time of trying all kinds of mixtures and strengths that I found this website and got a lot of good suggestions. Unfortunately none of them worked, so when I saw people on here trying the vacuum tube I decided to try that - again with a lot of good forum help.
The vacuum DID work for me to finally get penetration, but the rings hurt and the erection did not last very long.
Finally after reading so many posts on here about implants I took the plunge - but NOT with my original uro...
GLAD I did !!

[hard drive]

How did you find out about implant surgery?

GOOGLE>FRANKTALK>jackpTenn

[Boulder]

Ustoo.org. And my brothers on the PCAi list. I was ready to eat a built....

[David_R]

And my brothers on the PCAi list.

I really learn a lot (and offer support) through the PCAI list.

[billylee]

After trying other methods for ED, urology FNP suggested IPP as option. She also showed me a device sample. I was immediately interested. Although someone at this clinic (not in a metro area) did implant surgery, I desired someone with better numbers. JackP, recently mentioned on this site, FT, and other research helped me soon to make arrangements. I am so thankful to this FNP for her initial introduction......and all the advice from the late Jack P.

[ShopMan]

I was sent to a urologist by my primary care Dr. several years ago after I told him the all of the oral meds quit working. I was told about the injections which I already knew about because of this forum. My URO. immediately told me about and explained the injections. I was given a "script" and told of a local pharmacy that would fix me up. Worked quite well for just about 2 years. Then even massive doses of Tri-mix quit working. Back to my URO.
He said are you ready to stop living or do you want to take the next step. I already knew pretty much what was involved with the implant surgery. Discussed it with my wife and she agreed. Eagerly I might add. Dec. 16 2014 I had my surgery and could not be happier.

And speaking of Dr.'s not being up on implants. My old Dr. semi retired and went to a VA clinic that was newly opened. So I was given a new primary care Dr. A lady this time. As I have no hang ups about going to a lady Dr. I had not hesitation about doing a physical with her. I doubt that I have anything she has not seen before. Or do I? Turns out I do. She was checking for a hernia. At the same time I thought I should explain the lump in my scrotum. She said is that what that is?; (referring to the implant) I said that's it. She said "I don't think I ever saw one of these before. So there is, proof that many Dr's are not aware of penil implants.

[Nocturne]

I have a funny story to tell about this.

I first heard of implant surgery back in the early 90s, when I was in college. I was working in the student union breaking down a stockroom or something with my a few of the other young guys, my manager, and this older guy whose position I never learned (never saw him again). I'd guess he was in his 60s.

The guy would not stop talking about his implant. No idea how long he had had it, but he kept telling us how he could now "fuck [his] wife for an hour", and admonished us all, "Never deny your wife!" He was a crazy old coot.

The manager kept laughing nervously as the guy clearly made him uncomfortable with his talk, but for some reason he never told him to stop. And God bless the old guy. When my own troubles started, I remembered his words and realized that as bad as things could get, there was always some hope.