Taking the plunge

[DonBecker54]

I saw Dr. Milam today to ask some questions, and said I wanted to go ahead with the implant. He was skeptical, saying he didn't think I was 100% committed because of the questions I was asking. That's just my way, though. I try to research something important as much as possible. The implant is my only solution. Pills and injections aren't working.

I have Blue Cross Alabama right now. The woman who handles scheduling and insurance said it would take 4-6 weeks to get BCBS to sign off, and that she's already booking into December. I go on Medicare on 12/1. I've already paid out my max out of pocket and my deductible for the year with BCBS, which means I'll have to go with the $180/month supplement plan instead of the $63/month plan in order to get this covered 100%

She can't schedule surgery until Medicare starts, so I probably have to wait until at least January.

I'm excited, scared, and now pissed off about the schedule. I want to get it done and over with, and move on to some good sex.

[Leek65]

Maybe this isn't all bad. You will have a few more months to reflect on your decision and do additional reading about others experiences.

[DonBecker54]

I don't know how much more I can reflect. I've been reading this forum and reading elsewhere on implants for months. It's not a hasty decision.

I just wish I could get the surgery in before 12/1. It would save me $1000. Also, I could have sex that much sooner. The injections aren't cutting it.

The idea of being able to have sex for three for four hours, instead of having it for 1/2 hour and then cuddling for 3.5, is really appealing.

[BillinAL]

DonBecker,
I had about a five month wait, and since I was not in great shape physically (desk job for years), I decided to begin an exercise program at the gym - mostly treadmill and a few weight machines. I also spent the time using the VED twice per day for the last 6 weeks or so before the surgery. I wasn't exactly a gym rat at the end of the 5 months but was in a better shape for the surgery and more importantly for the sex afterwards - LOL.

Bill

[roninhouston]

BCBS Medicare Advantage put my doctor through a whole bunch of hoops i.e. I had to have a lot of test making him justified that it was essential. THEN it took about 4 months to approve. I used that time to use the VED protocol therapy and to increase the number/strength of kegels. Would pump and count 10 kegels, repeat until I felt the burn. The kegels help me survive the catheter.

[DonBecker54]

BillinAL, I'm doing the VED now, and may just continue. I do the treadmill at the gym regularly, and go to 1-2 hours per night for the week or so leading up to a date.

roninhouston, that sucks. The woman who schedules surgery for Dr. Milam said she'd schedule as soon as I was on Medicare, as they know they'll pay.

I don't trust any of these insurance companies anymore. I just got a lab bill for over $4000 for Peyronies treatments. Both BCBS Alabama and Dr. Morganstern of Atlanta said insurance would cover 100% after the deductible was satisfied. They both lied.

[kidder]

DonB--I've said several times on this site, take as much time as you can to stretch before your surg. Sounds like some on FT didn't lose anything. I believe many do. But if your size, minus an inch or two, is not a problem for you, then, great. If you do stretch, keep as much blood flow down there as you can. Half of a Cialis every day, lots of Vit E, L-arginine. I trust that you're positive that the Trimix no longer works. Sometimes, after a while, we get to thinkin we need a higher dose. I did, and that's what caused me so much pain.

[roninhouston]

This is from a PM I shared .........

I was implanted with 18 centimeters plus 5 cm RTE..
9 weeks pre operation was doing the VED protocol. my flaccid strenght length was six-three quarters. VED pump max out at seven and a half inches. I marked my tube and shared with Dr. Cornell before surgery. I think he was aggressive with my cylinders sizing because he saw I was doing the VED Protocol Therapy.

Seems I have the potential to inflate to 7 inches which is a quarter inch longer than my old flaccid length.
It will probably take me many months of recycling to achieve that length but I am excited to have the potential to grow rather than shrink. So for me the extra time was well spent in preparation for the IPP, i.e. streching the skin. Post 0p I am 5 inches partially inflated a good start for a FORMER grower.

BTW I believe in taking vitamins that will help with the production of nitrous oxide (NO) and will continue to take them. The glans still needs blood to grow when you are aroused. Also took L arginine and 1.25 Calis (5 MG cut).
I will be inflated on' the 16th.

[DonBecker54]

DonB--I've said several times on this site, take as much time as you can to stretch before your surg. Sounds like some on FT didn't lose anything. I believe many do. But if your size, minus an inch or two, is not a problem for you, then, great. If you do stretch, keep as much blood flow down there as you can. Half of a Cialis every day, lots of Vit E, L-arginine. I trust that you're positive that the Trimix no longer works. Sometimes, after a while, we get to thinkin we need a higher dose. I did, and that's what caused me so much pain.

Losing an inch or two would be devastating. From talking with the doc, I don't think that will happen. That's why I'm going with Dr. Milam, who's supposed to be one of the top five.

[kidder]

Mine was also a top 5. Maybe #1 in terms of volume (500 per yr). The size subject was one that we discussed. He said "nonsense. If you lose anything, it'll be a fraction". I also remember watching one of his videos where he declares that patients always lose their length the last year or two of impotence, have the surgery, and expect to regain the length they had yrs ago. I'm sure there is some ego, unrealistic, involved. But I kinda resented the implication that it was all in the head, and not reality. I know how to use a tape measure, without cheating. I measured the day before, and now I am 11/4 in shorter. In fairness, some have said that it takes weeks or even mo to the finished product. Hope so. I don't want to alarm you. I would just talk very, very specifically to your Dr. I don't think he will give you a guarantee. I consulted with two uros before Perito (neither with his experience), and they both told me there would be some loss. Good luck.