Dr. Eid wrote to me this advice:
By far the most important decision that you can make is to seek the most experienced surgeon that you can afford. There is no substitute for experience. Look for someone who puts the patient's interest first above all things, including surgical time, relationship with one particular manufacturer and financial incentives. Look for someone who is passionate and fascinated with their surgeries; and obsessive about obtaining a good outcome. Look for someone who is in love with their craft. With an experienced physician the risk of complications, postoperative pain, swelling is greatly diminished and the outcome and quality of the result tremendously increased (size of erection, pump position, concealment of scar and tubing, placement of reservoir). Also studies show that the need for re operation is greatly reduced in experienced hands. Most, unfortunately, underestimate the importance of experience and assume that one particular surgeon must be "good enough" based on a few successful cases. Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement. Having said that the only way to acquire good judgement is by having a large surgical volume.
I delayed getting an implant 14 months searching for a way to get to the Maryland VA so Dr. Kramer could do my surgery. (Dr. Eid and Dr. Kramer have such good reviews here and both of them have attitudes that gained my approval and Dr. Kramer works in the Maryland VA as well as the University of Maryland.) Getting to the East Coast was problematic and the Surgeons available to me in Anchorage or Seattle did not inspire my confidence, though Dr. Allen (Anchorage) did meet the caring and professionalism criteria.
But Dr. Eid's comment to "find someone in love with his craft" resonated with me. The advice of a Nurse about experience also swayed me. But the ultimate factor was that God or Providence or just blind luck (and the principle of "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" fell in my favor. A Nurse at my local V.A. who was familiar with my desires heard of a newly assigned surgeon the the nearby USAF Hospitasl who had taught the procedure. She asked if I would consider him. 1) Local 2) USAF (as I am an AF veteran) and 3) expert in the field. I jumped at the chance.
When I met Dr. Shaw, he inspired my confidence and convinced me that he was inde3ed in love with his craft when he confided in me his personal feelings about implants. Truly, I felt, Dr. Shaw is in love with his craft.
So, almost literally, he fell into my lap and I scheduled surgery right then and there.
Now, you may not be as lucky (or patient to go through the efforts I did during those 14 months) as I have been. But be thorough and I expect you will be alright in the end. I am sure that any Doctor who discerns that you are really serious will be inspired to up his game on your behalf, or refer you to a surgeon who matches your zeal.
) that he was such a Surgeon and would care for me having the best outcome possible.