Ten Things Doctors Don't Tell Men (Or Men Don't Hear) About Penile Implantation Surgery

Penile implantation surgery is an irreversible procedure that should only be attempted as a last resort for restoring a man's sex life. Men considering the surgery need to know ten things they usually don't "hear" from their doctors.

1. The surgeon typically chooses the specific brand of implant during surgery.

What you expect may not be what you get. Penile implant surgeons typically stock an enormous range of sizes and models of penil implants, and only choose a specific model once they are in the middle of the procedure.

2. Non-inflatable penile implants tend to cause deterioration of the surrounding penis tissue.

Non-inflatable prostheses are easier to implant, but they are more likely to cause long-term deterioration of penile tissue. 

3. Non-inflatable penile implants cause a permanent erection.

Although the erection is easy to conceal beneath clothing, there is never a time a man is not "hard" with a non-inflatable implant--until it wears out.

4. Non-inflatable penile implants cause the greatest post-surgical pain.

Outside the US, more men opt for non-inflatable implants, but they cause the greatest post-surgical pain and pose the greatest risk of injury to the penis during day to day activities.

5. A two-piece inflatable implant is especially easy to use.

Just power if up for an erection, and release the fluid when you are ready for the penis to be flaccid again.

6. But the penis with a two-piece inflatable implant doesn't look natural.

Perhaps the best way to describe the penis after implantation of a two-piece inflatable device is a broom with square head.

7. A three-piece inflatable penile implant is harder to use, but looks more natural.

Also, the three-piece inflatable penile implant enables stiffer erections because more fluid is pumped into the two chambers at the sides of the penis.

8. A three-part inflatable penile implant places the least pressure on the sides and head (glans) of the penis when it is not in use.

This prevents pressure sores and deterioration of the remaining tissue of the penis.

9. The three-part inflatable penile implant is the only implant that leaves the penis looking normal after the surgery.

Many doctors report that observers can't tell there has been a surgical procedure.

10. The amount of ejaculate typically greatly increases after implant surgery.

Volume of semen, however, decreases with time as the implant slowly wears out.