Penile Implant or penile prosthesis is an extensive surgery which a lot of men do these days. It is commonly known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, aka ED. This surgery is, however, recommended only when all the other treatment and medication has failed to cure the disease in an individual.

In this surgery, operators will put a device inside the suffering individual’s penis so that the individual can get an erection while being engaged in physical intercourse. There are two types of Penile Implants. One is semi rigid, and the other is inflatable. We will talk about these different types of penile implant operation later in this article. However, as of now, we need to clear the concept of Penile Implants, aka penile Prosthesis.

So, what is a Penile Implant?

As we have already mentioned above, penile Implant or Penile Prosthesis is a surgery to treat Erectile Dysfunction when all the other medication attempts to cure the disease have failed.

This surgery requires placing an inflatable or flexible rod in the suffering individual’s penis. These inflatable rods contain a device with saline solution and a hidden pump in the scrotum. When you press the pump, the saline solution travels through the machine to inflate. This is when you get an erection. However, you can deflate the device once again.

This is a procedure for the men who have tried all the medications and other ways to treat their erectile dysfunctions, but those ways have failed them. Most of these men after the surgery are happier and satisfied with the results.

Now we have a clear concept about the surgery, here are the two types of operations explained briefly. 

  • Semirigid: The semirigid penile implant is when the penis is bent upwards while having sex after the surgery and is bent towards the body for better concealment after clothing.
  • Inflatable: The three-piece inflatable penile implants gets divided into three parts. Inflatable cylinders inside the shaft, a pump inside the scrotum, and a fluid reservoir under the abdominal wall. This is the most commonly used type of penile implants.
  • Two-piece: This type of implants are a little less complicated. In this type, the reservoir is one of the parts of the pump placed in the scrotum. The erections are usually less firm than the three-piece implant. This may take more effort to achieve the erection, but in this case, it takes less hand dexterity.

Now, as we know about the different types of treatment, here are the procedures of the treatment that might help you to prepare yourself for the surgery if you are opting for one. But before, you have to know why this surgery is needed?

So as the inevitable question appears in your mind, we already have our answers. Check that out below.

Why is this procedure done?

As we have mentioned above, it is done when an individual suffering from erectile dysfunction have tried all the medications to treat the condition. However, unfortunately, all of those medications and home remedies have failed them.

For most men, ED can be treated successfully using medications or using a penis pump. However, those who consider having the surgery, most consider it because the other treatments have failed them or those other methods could not achieve them sufficient erection while being involved in sexual intercourse.

This Penile implant method is also considered while treating some of the severe cases of a condition that can cause scarring inside the penis that leads to curved and painful erections.

Penile implants are not for everyone. You might not opt for this surgery if you have the conditions mentioned below.

  • If you have Erectile Dysfunction, the result of a relationship conflict or might be potentially reversible
  • If you have an infection in your pulmonary or urinary tract
  • If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you should not opt for this treatment too.

Always keep in mind that even though the penile implants allow men to get an erection, it does not allow men to increase their sexual desires or the sensation. Besides, it will also not make your penis any larger. Though the name does have resemblance with enlargement, it is not something to enlarge your penis. In fact, if you have this surgery, your penis might become a little shorter than it used to be.

Now, as we now have a more clear idea about the surgery, what are the procedures involved in the operation? Check out the answer below.

What are the procedures of the surgery?

The surgery might be performed, keeping the patient under general or spinal anaesthesia. Prior to the surgery, they shave the area, and a catheter is being placed to collect the urine. Surgeons also attach an intravenous line (IV) for different antibiotic or other medications.

The surgeons slash in your lower abdomen, at the base of your penis, or just under the head of your penis. Then, they stretch the tissue of your penis, which is responsible for blood circulation in the penis during an erection. Then the surgeons will place two inflatable cylinders inside your penis.

Now it depends on what you are operating. If you are exercising the two-piece inflatable device, the saline reservoir, valve, the pump gets placed smoothly inside your scrotum. Then the reservoir is inserted under the abdominal wall.

Then the surgeon will close the incision made at the starting point. All the procedure might take 20 minutes to an hour. It is usually done on an outpatient basis.

So, these are the procedures involved in the whole process. This is a very useful procedure.

Now there might be some people who want to know if the prosthesis is noticeable or not.

Well, for these people, here is your answer. Although you might be able to notice the scar where the penis meets the scrotal s, or maybe on your lower abdomen, other people will be unable to notice the discoloration. Thus, it is tough to tell anybody if a man has done Penile Implant surgery or not. So, you don’t have to worry, because you will not be embarrassed in a locker or restroom. 

Now we know about most of the details about the surgery, is this surgery effective? Are people who have done this surgery are satisfied with the results?

Well, we know your doubts are justified. Being a man, it is a very uncomfortable feeling for anyone having a Penile Implant surgery. Therefore, you want to reach every detail you can get to console your mind. Therefore, these questions are going to emerge in your mind, inevitably you.

So, are these surgeries effective?

About 90 to 95 per cent of patients who had penile implant surgery is very much satisfied with their life afterwards. So, you can easily see how vast the success rate of this surgery is. They result in erections that are suitable for intercourse. These 80 to 90 per cent of men have verbally stated their satisfaction with the surgery.

However, if you are expecting to make the head of your penis harder or affecting any sensation or orgasm, then you should not opt for this surgery. The penile implants mimic the natural erection to give you your ever-desired erection while being indulged in sexual intercourse.

Like any other types of surgeries, there is always the risk of infections, the formation of scars, bleeding and other such things. Even though it is rare, the mechanical failures, erosion or adhesion can also lead to the need for another surgery to remove the implant.

So, it is safe to conclude that this surgery has a very high success rate of up to 90 to 95 per cent. 80 to 90 per cent of patients have stated their satisfaction, which proves this surgery to be very useful as well as a satisfactory one. However, this surgery does have the risks of infections, the formation of scars and other surgery-related risks.

Here are the risks of the surgery described below:

  • Infection: As with any other surgery, infection is always possible with this surgery. There are increased risks of disease when the patients have a spinal cord injury or diabetes-like conditions.
  • Implant problems: Modern penile implants are designed reliably. However, in some rare cases, the implants may malfunction. In this case, another surgery is needed to remove the broken implant.
  • Internal erosion or adhesion: In many cases, the implant may stick to the skin inside the patient’s penis. Even though rare, sometimes the implant breaks through our skin. These problems lead to infection.

How should you prepare for the surgery?

Initially, you should talk to your doctor or a urologist about these implants. During your visit to the chamber, your doctor will most likely ask you to:

  • Review all your medical histories. You should be prepared to answer all the questions without hesitation.
  • Do a physical examination. This is needed because the doc has to be sure if the surgery is the best option for you.
  • You should also discuss your expectations with the doc before taking a step towards surgery. This is also an essential part if you want to keep yourself safe.

Now we know about most of the aspects of the surgery, the next question that comes to your mind is about how your sexual experience will be like after the surgery.

So here is how sex going to be after the surgery:

Once your penis is inflated, it will make the organ stiff and thick. Most of the men rated their erections shorter than their normal erection. However, they are happy with the natural erection they get. The new models have cylinders that may increase the length, stiffness and thickness of the penis.

This surgery does not affect our sensation on the skin or orgasm. It does not affect ejaculation in any way. However, this surgery may destroy the natural erection achieving reflex. Most of the men after the operation cannot get an erection without inflating their implant. If the device is removed, they might not be able to get an erection naturally again. This is the reason why this surgery is considered as the last option for the patients of ED.

Recovery

Recovering from implant surgery is not as hard as it sounds. Men having this surgery will be able to reach home on the very same day. As we have mentioned above, even the operation does not take much time too.

The patients after the surgery might need to take some medication and antibiotics to help themselves with discomfort and to prevent infection. The doctor may give some additional instructions to follow for the next few weeks. 

Here are some of the points that might help to recover from the surgery and get back to your daily routine full-fledged.

  • You should wait for 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery to get indulged in sexual activities again.
  • You should try to keep the penis pointed towards the belly button. It will help to prevent it from being curved downward.
  • Your doctor will tell you when and if needed, the stitches should be removed.
  • The doctor will also suggest when to resume physical activity, exercises and work.
  • You will also get instructions about using this implant.

The doctor should also provide information about some exercises that you will need to practice. This practice involves inflating and deflating every day. These exercises will also help to stretch the surrounding tissues.

The penile implants will not increase your natural penis length. There are some cases where it somewhat has decreased the size of the penis.

Outlook

These implants are very invasive. Although it can be an effective treatment for ED, it will also destroy your natural erection achieving mechanism once and for all. So, you should only opt for this option when the other options have failed.

However, despite the drawbacks of the surgery, most men are happy with the results they got.

So, these are everything you needed to know about penile implants. Consult your doctor to know more.