OVERKILL? OPINIONS SOUGHT

[DaveKell]

I had a two hour phone conversation late last night with a guy who had a lot of questions about being implanted. He has selected a doctor he's completely confident in to do the implant. When I asked him how many implants the doctor has done, he said "he told me he maybe does a dozen a year". Then he added that this doctor doesn't believe in using any Foley catheters, wants to install a drain in his scrotum, and also said he would temporarily implant him with an intrathecal pain pump! I cautiously gave him some anecdotal info on all the red flags this was throwing up to me. He further added that this doctor said he already knew by LOOKING AT HIM what size implant he would be given. Since I'm supposed to steadfastly avoid giving any medical advice (for good reason), about all I could add was that maybe he ought to look on implant manufacturer websites for their physician locator service and get a consult with a second doctor. I've read so many stories about guys who never even took any of the pain meds their doctor gave them after the implant procedure. A pain pump is usually regarded as the last step in long term pain management after a huge tolerance has developed to oral pain meds. I got the vibe that this doctor is trying to make a fortune off these procedures. Any opinions for what else I might tell him about this since I'm almost sure he'll call me with more question?

[radioradio]

Dave,
I'd be happy to chat with him. I know I can't give medical advice, but I'm not in the position of potentially putting AMS in jeopardy, as you are. This guy should run from this doctor. If he's willing, I'll send my cell number. I'm sure there are meany here at FT who would volunteer the same.
Bob

[DaveKell]

Thanks Bob. I've told my AMS handler about it already and he's going to talk to him again. I haven't mentioned this forum to the rep yet but I'm going to to see if he doesn't mind me steering people here. I don't know why he would, unless he thinks it could be any kind of conflict with the message they want to put out on their own educational sites. I'll see.

In the meantime, my wife told me a part of what she wants to do in my seminar presentations in June. She's going to take a pair of new running shoes along. She'll pull them out of a bag when she speaks and say she had to go buy them after I was implanted. It should get a nice laugh. Might go well with a visual comedy thing I'm gonna do. Right after I say I was glad the three injections I tried didn't work I'm gonna say "that hesitation was murder" while I act like I'm trying to repeatedly stab the microphone with a syringe. Of course, a lot of good comedy is based entirely in truth and this one certainly is. I seem to recall actually hyperventilating trying to work up the nerve to stick a needle in my dick. I'm glad for the guys who are having great success with it, but for me it was too ..... I don't know, maybe like medieval torture?

[Larry10625]

I had a two hour phone conversation late last night with a guy who had a lot of questions about being implanted. He has selected a doctor he's completely confident in to do the implant. When I asked him how many implants the doctor has done, he said "he told me he maybe does a dozen a year". Then he added that this doctor doesn't believe in using any Foley catheters, wants to install a drain in his scrotum, and also said he would temporarily implant him with an intrathecal pain pump! I cautiously gave him some anecdotal info on all the red flags this was throwing up to me. He further added that this doctor said he already knew by LOOKING AT HIM what size implant he would be given. Since I'm supposed to steadfastly avoid giving any medical advice (for good reason), about all I could add was that maybe he ought to look on implant manufacturer websites for their physician locator service and get a consult with a second doctor. I've read so many stories about guys who never even took any of the pain meds their doctor gave them after the implant procedure. A pain pump is usually regarded as the last step in long term pain management after a huge tolerance has developed to oral pain meds. I got the vibe that this doctor is trying to make a fortune off these procedures. Any opinions for what else I might tell him about this since I'm almost sure he'll call me with more question?

WOW... there are so many things wrong with this approach... all I can say is WOW.

Larry

[ED2013]

This has extremely painful swelling, size loss and sensation loss written all over it.

[Lost Sheep]

his prospective patient REALLY SHOULD speak to former patients of this surgeon.

[VegasED]

I typically do not post many things, however, I would plead with him to get at least a second opinion. My doctor is Coloplast's "Center of Excellence" surgeon in Vegas. He said he does between 50 - 100 a year. Yet, in my case I have a big bulge of tubing that I don't think should be there. My doctor says he will do a revision, but he says, "no surgeon can guarantee where the tubing will be as there is no place to anchor them." I won't get into my case right now, but hopefully another FT member will be able to help me post some pictures soon. Point I'm trying to make is to be absolutely sure of your surgeon, and from what this man was saying, we are all very concerned. I hope he will heed our warnings. VegasED

[DaveKell]

The guy I mentioned in this post came to his senses. He called my AMS rep and asked for a recommendation of a surgeon for an implant. I've been told he contacted my doctor, who WILL use a Foley catheter, WILL NOT install a drain, and MOST DEFINITELY WILL NOT install a pain med pump in his body. Oh yeah, and will PROPERLY size his implant instead of knowing what size "just by looking at him". It's a relief for me to know I helped steer this guy in the right direction. He couldn't emphasize to me enough how important it was to him that his first choice doctor was a "fine Christian man". I was told by a friend who is a medical doctor I discussed this with that the only reason this doctor would put a pain pump in him for a few days is because the doctor has a cozy relationship with the pump manufacturer's rep. I'm just glad I apparently robbed him of an enormously padded billing.

On another note, I had a run through of my new presentation with the AMS rep I'm working with for the seminars they send me to speak at. My next one is this Wednesday in Oklahoma City, where they are putting me up in the Hilton hotel. He was so impressed with my presentation he said he was calling his home office people to let more of them know about my talk in OKC in two days. He said they need to feature my story on their website as the first patient profile. AS I've said numerous times, I'm determined to do all I can to become "the face of implants". I guess that'd be along the lines of how Senator Bob Dole was the early face of Viagra!I have no hesitation to tell ANYONE who is interested about my implant. I shocked my wife awhile ago by saying I can't wait for a request at a seminar for a private show n tell afterwards. She can't believe I'd actually do it. I told her that an in person demo is vastly superior to watching a web video and that yes, I'm totally willing. Besides, there's financial compensation for one on one consultations in it for me. I'll let y'all know how the OKC seminar goes. On ward and UPward brothers!

[radioradio]

Dave,

I am jealous. I would do what you’re doing in a heartbeat except for my wife’s extreme desire that no one on the face of the earth know that i have an implant. But maybe there’s hope ... today I am being interviewed for a segment airing tonight on ED and implants on WMAR’s 11 o’clock new as part of their series on Men’s Health month. (Baltimore TV — I’ll be joined by Dr. Kramer). Wife is okay since it’s not near our home.
Should be fun. Looking forward to it.

Keep up the good work!

Bob