Infection - My Story

[Grad777]

Just make sure you aggressive cycle your implant that first year post op. You should be fine.

[Grad777]

My most recent revision was
Friday morning. I took the news really bad about the the decreased size and girth. I was really thinking that with VED use I would be at least 20 but that wasn’t to be. I haven’t even looked at it as I am wrapped up. Not looking forward to having to look at it this Monday when we remove the catheter and the drain.
My wife as been incredibly supportive during this entire journey.

[principles]

I've been in your shoes, and that's a tough position to be in. Size is always on our mind, it's unavoidable, but that's not the reason we get implants. What matters is that you'll have a fully functioning cock, and the rest comes down to creativity, cardio, stamina, your partner, lifestyle, etc. Don't get too caught up in the size part.

Once you're fully healed, try experimenting with a cock ring. The extra engorgement can add a a couple centimeters to your erection, which will mostly bring you back to your normal size, that's been my experience. Also, taking daily tadalafil can help even more on top of the ring. The implant size does not fully determine your erection length (I'm not talking about pumped length).

You had a solid 8-year run. There's some trouble now, and soon you'll be fine again.

Thanks for the write up. Keep us posted!

[lasthope2.0]

Sending you good vibes and wishing you the best and safest path ahead, Grad777.

[Grad777]

Principles,
Wow. You have quite a journey as well. When my first implant failed at 8 years it was also due to frayed tubing. It was a gradual loss of fluid. At the start I could get between 22-25 pumps and then over the course of about 4 months ii could only get about 3-4. It was during those last 2 months I began using a VED just to keep the tissues healthy and to my surprise I was able to get really good erections.

How do you use the constriction rings now ? Do you simply pump up your implant and then place them on or do you also pump with a VED and then place the constriction ring on ? Also which brand or type do you find the best ? Thanks for all the help

[Grad777]

Also keep me posted on what type of implant you go with next ?
My surgeon said we could utilize this smaller implant as a tissue expander and then try to upsize down the road but that also carries the risk of another infection.

Has the same surgeon performed all of your implants ?

[JohnnyBorg]

Hey Grad - just read your story. Thank you for sharing it - rooting for you on your recent revision. Thoughts and prayers to you and your wife! ED sucks, I’m looking at getting an implant in January / February timeframe with Dr Hakky. It really is a battle.

Glad we have this community to connect with others fighting the same fight.

[Grad777]

JohnnyBorg,
Thank you very much. Good luck to you. Are you currently using a VED daily to keep your tissues stretched out ? If not you really should you still have a few months. It seems from what I hear that Hakky is a really good surgeon.

[principles]

Principles,
Wow. You have quite a journey as well. When my first implant failed at 8 years it was also due to frayed tubing. It was a gradual loss of fluid. At the start I could get between 22-25 pumps and then over the course of about 4 months ii could only get about 3-4. It was during those last 2 months I began using a VED just to keep the tissues healthy and to my surprise I was able to get really good erections.

How do you use the constriction rings now ? Do you simply pump up your implant and then place them on or do you also pump with a VED and then place the constriction ring on ? Also which brand or type do you find the best ? Thanks for all the help

Your tubing failure occurred quite differently than mine. Both times, it happened during sex, passionate/rough sex. It went from 100% to 0% in less than a minute, quite noticiable.

Personally, I first put the ring on while flaccid (shaft only), and then pump. If I do it the other way around, my perception is that blood doesn’t flow in nearly as well as if I put the ring on first. If I put the ring on first, I’ll get tumescence almost immediately, then it’s just a matter of pumping it to give the cock rigidity. I'm not a daily VED user, I only use it when prepping for revisions. I can't carry a VED with me when I go out for drinks

I like slightly thicker rings, they are way more comfortable. I’ve probably tried a dozen+ different types of rings. The best one I’ve found so far (and I have a stock of them) is this one: Durex Prolong & Play Ring. I wish they had it in black though. When I'm out hunting, I have one in my pocket at all times. Without any hyperbole, it drastically changes my erection quality and appearance. I find it indispensable, for better or worse.

[principles]

Also keep me posted on what type of implant you go with next ?

I'm 90% sure it will be a Rigi10 next, hopefully in 14mm.

My surgeon said we could utilize this smaller implant as a tissue expander and then try to upsize down the road but that also carries the risk of another infection.

As far as upsizing, give it plenty of time. Try the ring, tadalafil, perhaps even trimix gel. That might help you recover length sufficiently so that you’re not bothered enough to go through yet another revision for size alone. I’d bet that as long as this revision is successful in providing you with a working device, eventually you’ll settle down and be content with it, and not think about going through the entire revision ordeal unless absolutely necessary.

Has the same surgeon performed all of your implants ?

First surgery was performed by a different surgeon. As far as I can tell, they've all been great, no immediate complaints.