Penile implant surgery is a treatment form of erectile dysfunction where a flexible rod with a pump and saline solution are placed in the penis. The pump is located in the scrotum and every time you want to achieve an erection, you press the pump which then forces saline solution throughout the device, giving you an erection.
This procedure is usually recommended for men that are ailing from Peyronie’s disease1 as other treatment options wouldn’t work and those that have had little success with other treatment options. For most men, the surgery isn’t as concerning as the recovery period is, so here’s what you should expect after penile implant surgery
Effectiveness of the Surgery
Penile Implant Surgery has a more than 90% success rate.2
The success rate, in this case, is determined by the ability of the man to achieve and sustain an erection after the surgery. In fact, one study showed that more than 70% of the men were satisfied with the results.3 There’s minimal risk of mechanical failure that would require consequent surgery to either remove or repair the implant.
Erections from penile implants are no different from natural erections and they don’t affect any aspect of sexual intercourse. The tip of your penis will not get overly hard and the sensations and orgasms will not be affected in any way.
The implants are designed to be discrete and usually stay hidden.
Recovery Period
Penile implant surgery is often an outpatient procedure with the possibility of an overnight stay. The recovery period lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks with the incision taking around 5 days to heal. During this period, you will experience pain and swelling that will steadily decline during the course of the first week.
To make the recovery period easier, here are some post opt measures you should observe.
- Avoid all strenuous activity and heavy lifting until you have fully recovered.
- Wear supportive underwear that will keep your penis facing toward your belly button.
- Use ice to stop the swelling but be sure not to place it directly on your reproductive organs, else you risk having frostbite.
- Elevate the scrotum using a piece of cloth tucked between your legs.
These simple measures will speed up the recovery process and minimize any pain and swelling.
Possible Side Effects of Penile Implant Surgery
All surgeries have risks attached to them and here are the most common side effects of penile implant surgery.
- Excessive bleeding that may require additional surgery
- Formation of scar tissue
- Prolonged swelling that subsides after a couple of weeks
- Displacement or erosion of the implant.
- Urinary incontinence.
Very few men experience an infection of the implant.
Most of these side effects will wear off on their own and with minimal intervention. Risks are considerably reduced if an implant with an antibiotic coating is used and the surgery is done by a qualified physician.
Links to sources used
- Penile prosthesis in the surgical treatment of Peyronie’s disease – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3464994/
- Male Sexual Function: A Guide to Clinical Management – https://books.google.com/books?id=3ogNo5qAVJ8C&pg=PA331&lpg=PA331&dq=Penile+Implant+Surgery+success+rate.80-90&source=bl&ots=M4p5qaUwBR&sig=ACfU3U0p0MHmXOwr8E2JeMBocHOncNYsXA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2h5SM4enpAhXiyYUKHTL5AqkQ6AEwEXoECAcQAQ
Penile implants: a look into the future – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5715181/