PTSD Survivor Facing Serious Anxiety Pre-Op

[TravisHollister]

I've tried to get an implant for years now. Insurance has always played games and found a way to deny it, but now I'm on Medicare and it's going to happen tomorrow morning, Feb. 20th.

I didn't think I would have any hesitation after all of the reading and research I've done over the last few years, but I am considerably anxious just hours away from surgery. My surgeon is highly skilled and performed many of these procedures over the years, so I am quite confident the surgery will be a success. That's not what worries me. What worries me is the unpredictable consequences that follows...like how much length I'm going to lose, how is my new erection going to feel, how will I express or feel my sexual arousal without have to reach down and pump myself up, etc. From reading the accounts of many posters/contributors, I've learned that everyone has a unique experience but with many similar commonalities, and that an overwhelming majority say they would do it again. That's somewhat comforting and intellectually I know this is the best option for me. However, as a PTSD survivor (military and first responder) the anxiety at times is overwhelming. Have any of you gone through this procedure while also managing PTSD. If so, how did you manage your anxiety? As far as that goes, even if you don't have PTSD, how did you cope with pre-op anxiety if you experienced any at all?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[wunhunglo]

First off, Thank you for your service.

I’ve been on anxiety meds for 15+ years and suffer from Night Terrors.
I certainly would have been more anxious had it not been for this forum and speaking personally to a few patients who had the procedure.

I think there is natural anxiety (like having your penis operated on) and obsessive worry about future events that haven’t happened. If you have a good surgeon, read through what to expect-and the limitations of the implant, I think there is very little to be anxious about. The question I ask myself when making a big decisions is “how wrong can I afford to be?” What is the worst case scenario, what is the probabity of that, and what is the course of action. If you are not functioning now then I think it is all upside.

The post op pain was really minimal and I had zero bruising on my testicles (I took an oxy for day one but aspirin the next few days.) The pain from a kidney stone and sciatic nerve was 10x worse in my opinion.
I activated on Day 3.

I was extremely girthy 6+ so lost some of that but no length loss. I don’t love the shape without engorgement so still take cialis. Sensation is the same as before and If you cum, you can still keep going and your penis should be more engorged from orgasm.

There is no perfect solution, only alternatives. And this was the best alternative for me. Best of luck and once you make the decision, try reading only the positive stories and envisioning all the great sex you will be having

[Implant2025]

I am considerably anxious just hours away from surgery. As far as that goes, even if you don't have PTSD, how did you cope with pre-op anxiety if you experienced any at all?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Welcome, brother!

An excellent question. Even people who haven't had to endure PTSD, it's amazing how many men are terrified by needles and/or surgery. When you check in for surgery tomorrow, be sure your nurses know you are very anxious and have a history of PTSD.

It's standard procedure for you to be given an IV anti-anxiety medication before surgery, like Midazolam. Hopefully that will help take the edge off. It's what they gave me last month while I was being prepped for my own surgery.

[Alex258]

I've tried to get an implant for years now. Insurance has always played games and found a way to deny it, but now I'm on Medicare and it's going to happen tomorrow morning, Feb. 20th.

I didn't think I would have any hesitation after all of the reading and research I've done over the last few years, but I am considerably anxious just hours away from surgery. My surgeon is highly skilled and performed many of these procedures over the years, so I am quite confident the surgery will be a success. That's not what worries me. What worries me is the unpredictable consequences that follows...like how much length I'm going to lose, how is my new erection going to feel, how will I express or feel my sexual arousal without have to reach down and pump myself up, etc. From reading the accounts of many posters/contributors, I've learned that everyone has a unique experience but with many similar commonalities, and that an overwhelming majority say they would do it again. That's somewhat comforting and intellectually I know this is the best option for me. However, as a PTSD survivor (military and first responder) the anxiety at times is overwhelming. Have any of you gone through this procedure while also managing PTSD. If so, how did you manage your anxiety? As far as that goes, even if you don't have PTSD, how did you cope with pre-op anxiety if you experienced any at all?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

I have CPTSD and trust me when I say we all feel those anxieties when going for the implant. I was a wreck before, during and after and I have to say that this site was terrific in helping me with my worries. Many helped me to get through what they too went through and after 2 years in, it's really a cakewalk after being implanted. Of course you can expect a certain degree of discomfort, pain etc. Thats what the painkillers are for. Ice will be your best friend and I promise you that in no time when you have it activated and begin to use it you will be saying to yourself "I should have done this sooner." And one day you will be on here guiding others too. Regarding size, I will tell you that post prostrate surgery/Cancer I went 3 years with awful ED. What showed was 1.5 to 2 inches max. I wanted to leave the planet. When I woke from the implant I was not happy with the size. Let me fast forward to today where I am 6L and 6 G and very happy. Recovery takes time so instill much patience to yourself, do your cycling(Perito Videos on Youtube) and you too will be satisfied. My implant feels like my original equipment and don't even notice it's an implant. I've had 12 surgeries and I always insisted to the hospital staff to knock me out before they would wheel me out. I say "insist" because there were times they told me that I would have to wait til they wheeled me in. I fought for what I wanted and got it. And if they do this for you(they will) you will be conscious of your surroundings but you wont give a sit. I'd recommend that you ask for liquid Xanax. Works every time. GL to ya.

[TravisHollister]

My Surgery went well this morning and amazingly anxiety didn't overcome me. To my surprise I was able to stay pretty calm. Usually when I visit a hospital or visit my Dr my blood pressure often jumps to 150 and more. In prep this morning my BP had peaked out at 136, so evidence my anxiety was under control. Thanks for your input. I believe it helped

[LetoMan]

Glad to hear it went well! Welcome to the brotherhood!

The toughest part is hopefully over. Recovery can be tough, too, you will likely question whether you made a good choice over the next few weeks. Rest, ice, elevate, and get some compression shorts one size too small if you haven’t already.

Relax. The state of your dick today is not the state it will be in in a few weeks, or a few months, or in a year.

As for anxiety, once things settle down and you start using it and realize you have a reliably hard dick whenever you want it - that you have a superpower - so so so many anxieties are going to go away.

But for now rest and recover. It could be a rough few weeks ahead (it was for me and I turned out fine), or it could go real easy. It’s out of your hands, so just rest and recover.

Be well,
Leto

[Implant2025]

My Surgery went well this morning and amazingly anxiety didn't overcome me. To my surprise I was able to stay pretty calm. Usually when I visit a hospital or visit my Dr my blood pressure often jumps to 150 and more. In prep this morning my BP had peaked out at 136, so evidence my anxiety was under control. Thanks for your input. I believe it helped

Good to have you with us!

Tell us about your surgery: where was your incision: above the penis or in the scrotum?
Which implant and length is your implant?
Hopefully you know your length and maybe girth before surgery - you can use that info to help track your recovery progress over the next year.

Now get plenty of rest, stay off your feet for a few days and ice, ice, ice.

[equusAz]

My Surgery went well this morning and amazingly anxiety didn't overcome me. To my surprise I was able to stay pretty calm. Usually when I visit a hospital or visit my Dr my blood pressure often jumps to 150 and more. In prep this morning my BP had peaked out at 136, so evidence my anxiety was under control. Thanks for your input. I believe it helped

Congratulations!

The 'hard' part is over, but your healing will take time. This is going to be key: patience. When I had my surgery about five days in I freaked out a bit thinking 'what did I f'ing do!?' But now almost three months in I can say I am glad I went through with it. Lost size, different feeling, pain, all of it is there, but - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as the pain is diminishing and I'm getting SOME girth back (my case had bad Peyrones after prostatectomy - I lost a lot of size). But here's the kicker. The first time I topped my husband after not being able to for a year and a half - was amazing. I'd go through it all again to have that intimacy back - and thats the important thing. Getting your dick working again. This isn't some magical journey to make your dick bigger - its to make it work...and it will! There will be some bumps on the road, but you'll get there!

Best of luck on your road to recovery!

[TravisHollister]

Thank you equusAz for sharing your experience and your advice.

I am delighted with how the procedure is evolving and quite optimistic about the future. I already feel like I'm regaining some self-confidence.

My surgeon used the peno-scrotal approach. There is practically no bruising except a small patch on my scrotum next to the incision. Pain isn't too bad as long as I stay on schedule with my meds.

The nurse removed the catheter this morning and to pee was like pissing razors. I just went pee again and there was no pain this time. Yay! I had been told it could take several days for the pain to go way!

I have some loss in length as expected but I'm confident I will regain it. I felt my new penis for the first time this morning at the Dr's office. Even at 50% inflation my cock feels hard as a rock. I was so excited to see it and feel it that way. After so many years (10+) of dealing with ED, this is absolutely delightful. I had a lot of apprehension, but now I'm so glad I went through with it. I can't wait for those clothing optional pool parties this summer. I'll be showing off to all the other guys who have only known me as a limp bottom.

Thanks again and best regards,

Travis