Hi,
I recently underwent (3-4 weeks ago) the STAGE surgery performed by Franklin Kuehhas . Here is just a summary of how things are going ( if anyone is considering this surgery).
11/12/2015: Went for an appointment where penis erection was induced by needle and then ultra-sound for any plaque and blood flow leaks. ( no observable plaque as I had congenital curvature). Operation, risks, and pre-op preparation are discussed and also reassuration that you can back out of the surgery anytime. I opted for the foreskin sparing procedure.
12/12/2015: Surgery was completed . Anesthetist and the nurses are very comforting and friendly and will ask you general health questions. Franklin personally met me in the bed and told me I would be pleased with how the penis looked, and you will be given medication ( antierection tablets, antibiotics as well as painkillers). He also gives you his number so you can update him and text him anything.
Followup appointment occur the next few days where he checks the dressing and the condition of penis. My dressing was actually too tight so the glans was swollen and purple and the foreskin was very swollen and I think filled with liquid. He pressed the liquid out and then put another dressing on it. I had to come about 3-4 days in a row following the procedure because of this problem. I think normally you only have 1-2 follow up appointments. However, during this period Franklin pretty much told me to go sightseeing and that it is okay to walk.
My dressing was kept on until 3 weeks post-op 2/1/2015. From the followups to this period, I only achieved half erections that gave a slight stinging and tense sensation. I have now taken off the dressing and I can pretty much achieve full hard erections. I've been told that achieving full erections can take as long as 6 weeks for it to come back after stopping the medication ( so do not be worried if you have not had erections as early as I have). These erections are also not full length as the penis has undergone some retraction during these 3 weeks. Now that the dressing is not there to 'hold it back' it is much more painful ( probably a 7/10 pain). There is a tight and stinging sensation especially at the place of sutures. I am also required to stretch the penis 10x every time I go toilet and dress the penis at night. Franklin mentions that this pain and retraction are all expected and within normal ranges.
In week 4 post op ( 9th of Jan) I will begin using the Phallosan forte. I'll update this post weekly! Franklin has been especially supportive, he will ask for updates and pictures regularly as well as answer any of your concerns or questions.
I'll also mention that I am from Australia and the cost of the surgery was 8000 pounds.
Thanks for sharing this. Hope your healing goes well.
Thanks so much for this post. I have an initial consultation with Dr Kuehhas in 2 weeks time, also for congenital curvature. Please keep me updated, I am still in two minds whether to go ahead with surgery. One thing I really want is to keep my foreskin.
Any more info you can provide is much appreciated
I had the stage with Dr Kuehhas and I kept my fore skin, just make sure you talk to him about it.
Hi Fefgeug
It is my pleasure. I will keep this post updated and if you have any questions regarding the surgery feel free to pm me.
Franklin gives you the option of choosing foreskin sparing procedure or foreskin removal. Now with the foreskin sparing procedure, there is one added risk of lymph-edema. However, the risk of this occurring would be less than '1%' as quoted by Franklin. During this procedure Franklin removed my frenulum of which I had no idea he was going to do . Now i don't know if this normally occurs during the foreskin sparing procedure but if frenuloplasty concerns you, you should discuss this with him in your consultation.
Quick Update:
I have yet to receive my Phallosan Forte so I have been doing manual stretching as instructed by Franklin. The pain from erections is fading and is better described as discomfort or tension feeling than pain now. Also the soreness and discomfort when flaccid is barely noticeablenow.
I like to point out that fixing my curvature has also fixed my buckling issue; The point of curve on my penis used to buckle when I placed slight pressure on the glans (unless I tensed my kegel muscles) . Now when it is fully erect it does not buckle when pressure is placed on glans. Furthermore, I feel like my erections are harder than it was pre-op ! I also had a hourglassing issue, that seemed to reduced post-op. I'm not sure if this is because of the retraction but time will tell.
Great news junkai, and thanks for the updates as promised. Keep em coming... ;D
I can totally relate to the buckling issue, and cannot wait to be able to thrust straight with no issues. Usually I have to be careful that I dont withdraw my penis too much because buckling will occur. The penis then pops out and sometimes hurts my wife. Then I have to usual fumbling trying to position it at the entrance before continuing. This is probably the main reason I want surgery. I have a great sex life otherwise and never considered surgery before now. I have been back and forth wondering if surgery was necessary, ie will it make any big difference. The curve doesnt affect my ability to have sex, but without it I am hoping it will be so much better. Your result with the buckling issue gives me a lot of hope.
I am still not totally committed to surgery, going to see how the consultation goes. Have to weigh up the pros/cons/potential risks etc first. As I said, my penis works fine, is a good size, I have a great sex life, but its just a bit awkward. I now have one more box to tick on the positives.
Actually, just thinking I am now almost definitely going to go ahead.
Really appreciate the updates 8)
junkai
Wish you fast recovery
You have written that the surgery cost was 8000 pound. Can you detail what it includes?
I mean surgery, hospital stay, etc'
James
Thanks James,
The 8000 pound includes surgery, hospital stay after surgery, anaesthetic cost, and pre-op consultation, Doppler examination and the medication supplied (i.e painkillers and erection killers).
Everything is looking good and fine and the discomfort is close to none now. I have been using the Phallosan Forte and just hoping to restore my length. I used to be 6.5 Inches pre-op and now I measure a little short of 6 Inches. I had 4 sutures placed in my penis so I did expect a bigger loss than normal ( thought doesn't really concern me as i'm far more happier with a practical penis ). Franklin has also specifically mentioned not to use VED as it can cause re-occurrence of curve during the post-op recovery period.
Junkai;
I had the Egydio technique done by Franklin, for Peyronies. He has told me that VED is ok to use carefully. Even that the fresh oxygenated blood that it gives can help the healing process.
I assume he has given us different advice because of the differences in the two techniques, whereby the Stage technique has permanent sutures in place, whilst mine are dissolvable?
Hi Jonbinspain,
I mentioned that you (whom underwent Egydio technique) were using the VED so I asked him whether I could too. However, as you mentioned, he had given me a different recommendation due to the difference of technique. He mentioned that the pressure build up from VED use can cause the recurrence. I'm not sure the processes behind this but I'd rather not risk it. Stage technique has sutures that are dis-solvable and my understanding of Egydio is that it requires a graft.
Hi;
Yes, there is grafting in the affected area(s). However, there are also internal dissolvable sutures.
I really don't know what the difference is, I was under the impression that The stage technique used more permanent sutures to correct the curvature?
Hi ,
As far as I'm aware . The sutures placed in my penis dissolve within 6 months .
Interesting. How do they prevent the curvature from reoccurring, I wonder. I'll have to take another look.
With the Egydio technique it is the incisions in the area of plaque and the subsequent grafting.
Hey johnb...
They remove small portions from the opposite side to the bend, but only on the outer surface of the tunica. The sutures dissolve after it has healed and knitted together. The opposite side is now shorter. The principal is the same as nesbitt, except it does not take deep chunks out, only the outer layers. Same effect, none of the damage caused by nesbitts deep incisions.
At least this is what I gathered from my recent consultation with Dr Kuehhas.
Quick Update:
Using the phallosan forte for 4-6 hours a day*. Erect penis now measures 6.2-6.3 inches so it's recovering quite quickly. Penis is only sore (hardly noticeable) when I masturbate. Some of the stitching site under the penis glans is a bit sensitive when touched.
Other than that everything is going very well :). I don't think i need to post anymore updates as I feel like everything is on track! I will post if anything important comes up and one in 6 month op ( when the sutures are meant to dissolve). However, if anyone has questions or worries, feel free to ask me.
Hi Junkai;
Glad to hear you're healing well.
For me, I'm still quite a way down on size. I can still feel the stitches restricting my penis from stretching any further. I'm obviously hoping that once the stitches have completely dissolved I'll gradually regain what I had.
Currently putting in between 4-6 hours daily with the Phallosan. Usually in 2 hour bursts.
Jon,
Are you finding the use of the Phallosan is easing/improving over time? I remember your start with it was less than excellent.
Frank
Frank;
Somewhat, yes. I still couldn't contemplate wearing it for anything like the length of time suggested by Phallosan, it's too uncomfortable and even downright painful after a couple of hours. I tend to wear it in 2-2.5 hours sessions. Try to do 5-6 hours a day.
Hey Jon, I see that you had the Egydio Techinique surgery performed and you said your length was affected. On the Advanced Center for Penile Curvature ACPCT website they claim that one of the biggest advantages of the Egydio over Nesbit is that no length is lost. Could you report as to how much you feel you have lost, and did they address this?? Thank you
rxrebel;
It's too early for me to say. What I said was that the internal sutures are still restricting how far my tunics can expand. Over the next three months they will gradually dissolve. Only then will I know if there has been any loss. I would guess that if there is any loss, it will be minimal.
Jon,
I received the Phallosan and having been using it. You are correct about the high maintenance nature of the device. Have you come up with a good procedure for removal of the sleeve when finished? That is the part giving me the most trouble. The method they show on the Phallosan site does not work.
Also, my follow up Skype meeting with Franklin is coming up. Wanted to ask:
1. Do you continue to be pleased with your results?
2. Are you still straight at this point? No curvature return?
3. Do you have any residual scarring or loss of sensation?
Thanks as always,
Frank
Hi Frank;
Yes, removing the sleeve is a problem. I find it difficult to do without almost pulling it off. You're right, they make it look easy in that you can just roll it off. You can't!
Yes, I'm pleased. The healing is taking maybe a bit longer than originally expected. I'm still a tad sore around the head, although general pain from the grafted areas has decreased quite a bit. Discussing it with Franklin, I'm told that the full healing process can be 6-8 months.
Yes, I'm straight as an arrow still. Length wise I'm still down 3/4 - 1 inch down but I expect to get most, if not all of that back, once the internal sutures have completely dissolved.
Sensation is reasonably good. It's most definitely there in all the right areas. It's kind of hard to be exact right now as my penis is still a bit sore and not properly healed. And that sensation kind of interferes somewhat with the other.
For me, the main things are that I have a straight usable penis again. And there is certainly no major loss of sensation, that much I can tell.
Thanks as always Jon.
I'm going to speak with Franklin about the Phallosan. I see what you mean about the 2 hour limit before it needs to be removed for a period. Given that I work full time, 2 hours daily is probably the best I'll be able to do. Hopefully that will not be an issue.
There is no way I could use it while at work despite the more discreet appearance. Too distracting.
I have found it a little easier to wear as the soreness from my surgery has lessened, and I've just become more used to wearing it. I find I can wear it longer if I change sides regularly. But sleeping in it, no thanks!...
Hi Junkai, any updates?
How long before proper erections returned?
When did u start using it again, any pain from erections or ejaculating?
Thanks.
Hi Fefgeug,
Full erections returned as soon as I took off the bandages ( week 3 - week 4 Post-op). They were hard and straight but shorter than normal ( pre-op 6.5 inch; post op 5.7 inches) and very uncomfortable. They pain felt like the tissue was stretching out from the inside. The pain eventually subsided as I mentioned above! However, I'm not sure if I just had a speedy recovery as Franklin said erections could take up to 6 weeks for them to be full ( due to anti-erection tablets).
If you're talking about returning penis length, that occurred relatively quickly with a couple of weeks of using Phallosan for 4-6 hours a day. I admit i've been slacking off lately and only clocking in 1-3 hours a day, sometimes even missing a day.
I was able to masturbate around 6 weeks ! And it was super intense cause I hadn't blown a load for ages. Not sure if it was pain or pleasure to be honest LOL. But yea after that the penis would be sore. Even now, the penis gets abit sore around the foreskin incision sit,e after any sexual activity. This is getting better though.
Thanks Junkai for the update, much appreciated.
Thanks to Junkai and fefgeug for your ongoing updates. This is truly helpful and hopeful to those of us looking at surgery.
Thanks again,
Jimbruski
Hi junkai,
I'm wondering if finally your banana is totally straight after the surgery with Dr. Kuehhas. I'm thinking about performing this surgery...
Another question it is easy to pee during the whole process? How many days off do we need after performing this surgery?
Thank you!
Hey notmeplease,
I did this surgery at the end of march 2016. It is very easy to pee after this surgery. You won't be having any urinary catheter or something. The glans of the penis will not be covered in bandage, the shaft will be for around 2 weeks.
The surgery did not hurt and I could just go sightseeing the next day. You need some days off for post operative checks. I think at least 4 days but you can speak to Dr. Franklin about this. For me: I am completely straight.
Hi Notmeplease,
Sorry for the late reply ! I have been very busy.
My banana was initially 45 degrees downward, now it has a tiny upward curve probably 10 degrees or less. The tiny upward curve does not bother me one bit and the main goal of my surgery was to fix my buckling issue pre-op.
It is also as K.Bouter said. You can pee and you just need to see Dr. Franklin for up to 4 days in a row for post-op checkups.
Hi Redbullmaster,
I'm from the UK and considering undertaking the STAGE operation with Dr Kuehhas, I note that you are also from the UK and have already undergone the procedure. Do you know if I'll be able to get some of the costs covered through the NHS?
Cheers.
Hi Sandstraight,
I took out a loan to pay for my op.
Dr Kuehhas is a private clinic, so not sure how that would work?
Redbullmaster,
Okay thanks.
No i'm not sure how it would work either but it's just that I saw somebody mention that it was possible to do this on another board on this site but i'm a newbie and still trying to navigate my way around here to find the post.