Implant Afterlife

[RexRG]

Life with a penile implant is kinda like riding a bike with the kickstand always down.  

[Wilsonmill]

Until you have the flat tire..

[RexRG]

It's usually difficult to get out of a cushioned chair with a semi-hard penis. It angles slightly down as you try to move forward to stand and it stabs the cushion. That, and trying to sit on a toilet with a semi-hard means watching it carefully or ramming the seat with a pole. Not pleasant.

Not complaining, just saying.  

[Wilsonmill]

Lol, it takes some getting use to,

[Stepone]

I love my implant.
Almost instant hard on for penetrative sex. It's the best thing ever for me.
I wear my penis to one side and I have no discomfort problems.
StepOne  

[royuk]

Hi.
 
I had an implant a year ago.  I thought I'd share my experience on here with members who may be considering going down this path.  So here goes.
 
I want to be very clear that I am not advocating for an implant, offering advice, I am not a medical expert or a doctor, this is a description and a reflection of my own individual experience.
 
I will not be making recommendations about which services to use etc.  in my view everyone needs to do their own research and form their own views on their chosen clinician and treatment plan.
 
I live in London in the United Kingdom.
 
Over time I developed severe Peyronies which first started in around 2012.  I had two episodes one around 12 years ago - plaque about 2/3rds down my penis from base to tip - causing loss of girth and length. This calcified over time and felt like a matchstick in the mid part of my penis starting around 2/3rds down the shaft and into the glans.
 
The second was around 2 and half years ago very close to the base of my penis causing a very noticeable hourglass, with further loss of girth, length, sensation and a significant bend/curve. I had 'natural' but very painful erections; the pain resolved after around 9 months.
 
Psychologically, especially during the acute stages of both episodes of the disease was extremely difficult, it is only now after having the implant that I see and understand this more than ever.
 
I believe this is aspect of the disease is neglected by professionals and often left for individuals to deal with alone or with their partners.  Being single I felt very alone and didn't tell anyone about my first or second episode until I decided to have an implant.
 
Being able to speak to trusted people in my life made a huge difference, having struggled  in silence with this issue I now realise was a huge mistake and affected my mood and mental wellbeing much more than I was willing to accept.
 
I invested far too much in pumps, hope of new treatments coming, that it may magically just go away.  The reality for me is that it was/is a chronic relapsing disease as it may be for some of you on this platform.
 
I had so many private consultations with 'experts' who often offered warm words and suggested traction and or pumping regularly.  I do recall one leading expert in the field saying to me "you do know this will only get worse, it will never, ever recover it is a chronic disease and you need to learn to live with it". Although it felt harsh and hit me like a truck at the time it was true in my case.
 
I can recall seeing at least five different 'experts' over the years, all sympathetic and all saying much the same when taking their fee for the consultation.
 
I did a huge amount of research by myself, read research papers, watched lots of YouTube videos' etc. One piece of advice is ensure that you go to reliable sources, there are many charlatans out there who are willing to prey on our situation and make unfounded and assurances that are not evidence based.  Choose your advice carefully.
 
After 12 years of getting worse and my situation deteriorating the message "you do know this will only get worse, it will never, ever recover it is a chronic disease and you need to learn to live with it". Had stayed with me so I decided to take the leap and go for an implant.  I thought I had nothing to lose as the place I was in the prognosis was clear it seemed to me to be an only option that offered hope.
 
In May 2023 I had a Coloplast Titan implant, the surgery went well and physical recovery was good - although I didn't expect to be so tired for the first 2 or 3 weeks.  But make no mistake this is serious surgery and rest and disciplined rehab is critical to recovery.
 
Each surgeon will have their preferred approach I had a drain for 2 days, a catheter for 24 hours and IV antibiotics for 48 hours followed by oral antibiotics for ten days.
 
I had to keep the implant inflated to around 60-80% 24/7 for around 6 weeks.  So get some baggy pants, good supportive jocks and long tee shirts etc.
 
Six weeks in I started the 'cycling' process - meaning inflating the implant at least twice per day to its maximum. length and girth.  
 
The rehabilitation of my penis plan was - for the first week - keep. the implant fully inflated for around 10 mins working up to one hour over the next couple of weeks.  
 
Do not underestimate how important this is and requires real discipline.
 
This process is important as your body will create a membrane around the implant as it's not a natural part of your body.  It can feel uncomfortable for a while - but not painful.
 
Cycling will be necessary for at least 6 months, and I have seen reports that you get increased girth and length if you do rehabilitate your penis by reg 'cycling'.
 
A year on I cycle almost every morning, usually for an hour.  I find that if you move around it helps and that you can inflate a couple of additional pumps after around 40 mins.  You should always try and fully inflate.
 
I also find it beneficial and to be able to pump slightly more if you pull the penis, bend it, I usually do this as to stretch the area where I had plaque.
 
Initially I was very nervous of damaging the implant but remember these are made to last and are durable.  When having sex your penis will be exposed to a level of stress and movement so any implant done by an expert should easily be able to deal with a bit of pulling and stretching.  Also masterbate, this has helped me understand my new penis and discover how to get the best sensation etc.
 
A few minutes before I plan to deflate, I try to pump more, sometimes it does but if the bulb/pump won't pump I don't force it.
 
I also have used Cialis 5mg every morning which I do believe helps.
 
Along with pumping/cycling whilst my penis is erect, I try to push blood into my penis, a bit like what I imagine pelvic floor exercises to be but focus on the penis.
 
After around 6 months of (mostly) twice daily cycling I moved to daily, sometimes more.  On a couple of occasions l didn't pump for a few days and noticed that the effect was my penis didn't appear as large.  But with repeated and regular pumping/cycling it regained length.
 
The glans has got slightly larger, I lost a lot of size when I first developed Peyronies Disease so this was a benefit, I didn't expect but it did mean that on occasions the glans would have a red area which was slightly sore.  I think this was the head of the implant pushing the glans, one of the reasons you need the correct size implant is to ensure that the implant tube does not break through the skin/head of the glans during rehab and cycling.
 
At six months I had not regained all my original length and girth my penis is wider and longer than pre-surgery.
 
The deflation process can be tricky initially - but it is gets easier and I'm doing it much quicker and it's only a few minutes at most to fully deflate once you've had a bit of practice/experience of doing it.
 
Remember don't be afraid of your implant, it's now a part of your body, it's yours .
 
I wrote most of the above 6 months ago, it's now a year in and I have continued with the rehab cycling process.  Having researched the disease many experts do recommend this. I can say that it has been difficult to be disciplined to do this.
 
My second six-month rehab cycle is usually at least 5 times a week, I inflate in the morning for one hour at minimum most days.  I still move my penis, pulling, bending etc.  every 15 minutes of so I pump the bulb in my scrotum slightly and find that more fluid does enter the implant.
 
I can feel where the plague is and I have had times when I feel it hurting, I'm not sure whether this would have resulted in another episode or old plague being stretched.
 
The above sounds really difficult, but for me it's far easier than trying to use a vacume pump every day which had no or little lasting effect.
 
In summary, so far I have no regrets, my penis is a reasonable size now, I lost an inch from my original episode but gained around one inch the first six months and another inch in the second.
 
The girth is nearly as good as before any disease, the glans is still affected but has increased in size and a 'normal' shape since the implant.
 
I'm not sure if I'm unusual or just lucky but I do wake with an erection, not a full thrusted one but it is certainly a 'good' semi.  this will resolve often after I have a morning wee - so I know it's not the pump leaking which I did think initially as I was told  natural erections will not happen after an implant.  in my mind - although it may not be true I connect this with taking the Cialis 5mg every morning.
 
Sensation isn't as strong as before Peyronies started, but it is so much improved since the implant.  I lost almost all sensation with my second round of disease.
 
I also find the sensation is affected by how far I inflate, there is a 'sweet spot' which for me is slightly lower than being fully inflated.  It might be worth noting that when fully inflated my penis is extremely hard.
 
In my mind I approach this as developing a new relationship with my penis.  Although I miss my original one, I have to accept it has gone forever.  I'm now in a new relationship that needs work, I have different expectations in terms of what is pleasing and pleasurable and to make it healthy it takes time understanding and discipline.
 
I now know a new relationship after losing a treasured old one can still bring you pleasure.
 
I hope the above is helpful, but please understand this is one individuals experience and views and may not speak meaningfully to all of you.  We are all different.
 
Kind regards and good luck to everyone who is struggling with this issue.