The Hidden Timeline of Penile Implant Failure: How long did you wait for your revision surgery?

[junk098]

When we talk about a penile implant failing or experiencing a mechanical breakdown (like a fluid leak, pump failure, or broken cylinder), the conversation usually centers on the surgery itself. But for those who have lived through it, we know the real challenge often starts long before you ever make it to the operating room.

Unless an implant failure involves a medical emergency like an active infection, navigating the healthcare system takes a massive amount of time. From what I’ve seen, the "downtime" between an implant breaking and actually getting a revision surgery scheduled looks something like this:

Phase 1: Waiting just to get an initial evaluation appointment with a specialized urologist or prosthetic urology expert (~6 weeks).

Phase 2: Going through necessary diagnostic checks, waiting on insurance authorizations, and securing a slot on a busy surgeon's operating calendar (Another ~6 weeks).

That adds up to a total of 12 weeks—or roughly 3 full months—of living with a broken device and being completely sidelined while you wait for relief.

I’m putting this out to the community because I want to know what the reality on the ground looks like for guys going through this today.

For those of you who have gone through a revision surgery:
What was your actual timeline? From the moment you realized your implant had experienced a mechanical failure to the day of your revision surgery, how many weeks or months did you wait?

What was the biggest bottleneck? Was it getting the initial appointment with the urologist, or just trying to get on the surgical calendar?

How did you handle the wait? What are your best tips for managing the physical discomfort, the mental frustration, and the impact on your relationship while sitting in medical limbo?

Drop your experiences, your timelines, and your general location in the comments below. Let's map out what patients are actually facing so others know what to expect.

[ready2go]

Unfortunately, this period isn't highlighted enough. If it's frustrating for a Medicare-retired grandpa, then it's certainly horrifying, perhaps even to suicidal levels, for a young or middle-aged man with a job that requires his full focus, kids to feed, and a naturally demanding young/middle aged wife.

This period is no joke. It takes lives, and it should be the most discussed and advocated topic on this cuckoo's nest site. Not to mention the financial hurdles faced by the uninsured. And if it's coupled with an infection, it becomes a situation that I wouldn't wish even on the most disgusting ass-kissing boomer around here.

Thanks for the post!

you havent been banned yet.......again ? that needs to happen soon

[wilsonmill]

Mine failed 1 week after retirement, talk about stress... Anyway I had an appointment the week after it happened at my original surgeons office, said it needed a replacement and he could fit me in about 5-6 months. That was not what I wanted to hear, found another surgeon the same week, we scheduled for 2 months out and in the mean time had a couple more visits with him to feel him out better, I went with him and glad I did. It took about 3 months total from the day it failed to the day of the revision. Hope this one holds me out.

[rdnkbiker]

I think it took my doc around 3 months to get me scheduled for revision surgery had me using a ved to keep things stretched out all turned out good...think just keep up with VED and wont change anything

[PowerliftingDad]

When I called my Urologist....I had an appointment the next week. Came in and after my visit I had my blood drawn at the office. I was setup then and there for revision surgery a couple weeks later. Insurance approval was sought and granted with my surgery already scheduled.
The recovery was incredibly fast.
At some point your implant is going to malfunction.
You'll get it replaced....with a much smoother and faster recovery...and even the likelihood of a larger implant.
Don't let fear of a short delay keep you from living your best life.

[lasthope2.0]

Most delays occur when you’re seeking care in a socialized healthcare system, a large hospital system, or a large university hospital.

If you seek care from a high-volume privately owned independent practice, they’re often very happy to schedule a revision surgery ASAP (with a big smile on their face). In my case, I was able to have an elective revision within a 4 week timeframe from my first phone call for a diagnostic appointment.

Insurance coverage is based on your plan’s exclusion criteria for sexual dysfunction treatments. My provider has had a bad experience overall with Aetna/Cigna or plans that come with employer’s plan exclusions for sexual dysfunction treatments.

Traveling overseas to high-volume centers is a great cost saving option, but there’s a catch: If the prosthesis gets infected, you’ll need to make two more overseas trips: one for removal/salvage and another for replacement - just something to keep in mind so we are well prepared for any worst-case scenarios that hopefully never happen.