HW Friends,
leucadiabeach began a post about Penile Implants and concluded his first post by asking some questions about the implant. He expressed a desire for other Q & A's. I attempted to answer his questions he in that first post but as I went back and re-read his questions and my attempt at answering, I realized that although I could answer some of his questions from my personal experience, since I had not yet been activated where I could actually experience an inflated erection, my experience was limited. leucadiabeach recently asked if there was anywhere which was more detailed (not his exact words) about information. Art, a seasoned pro with implants, stated this site was the most detailed.
Therefore I begin a new thread, hoping questions will be asked so that those of us who have received the implant can give at least, our own experiences (good and bad). I acknowedge at the beginning that my personal experiences are not the same as, for example, Art's. None of us who have received the implant would claim to have all the answers or that our answers would be exactly clinically correct.
Below are leucadiabeach's questions and my responses at that time. I will try to do an update to his questions, since now I have been activated for some time and do have more experience. I hope those of you who have been lingering and reading and who subsequently have questions will post them. Someone has said that knowledge is power. So fire away. So, leucadiabeaach, in response to your desire to learn more, and in the interest of prostate cancer survivors (and others) who have not regained potence following surgery, even though you've tried everything else, fire away, if you have questions. Here are leucadiabeach's original questions and my answers:
How good is the implant erection?
I will be activated in one week. I perhaps could answer yor question after that time. From what I read of others who have had the implant, the general consensus is that the implant erection is good.
Now that I have been activated for six weeks, I can answer a little more detailed. The implant erections is much, much better than the days of ED following surgery. In my opinion, mine is not quite as good as before, due mainly to the 3/4 of an inch shortening I experienced. But it certainly beats no erection. The wife and I are now experiencing very, very good intamacy again, with good orgasms. It is different... but good.
Do you still feel the same sensations?
Yes.
More: I was not as sensitive as pre-prostate removal, but have now gained back full sensitivity.
Is it obvious that there is something artificial in there to you and your partner?
It's obvious to me because I know it as a fact. But I am told others do not notice unless informed. There is some extra "hardware" in the scrotum, but it is not readily noticable.
Can you ride a bicycle with one of these implants.
Yes; after the doctor releases you to do so.
Do you feel it when its not inflated?
I have not yet been inflated. Will know in a week.
More: When the doc first inflated, it hurt. He grabbed it, bent it around, and attempted to explain some things. Now that I am six weeks post activation and have inflated and deflated tens and tens of times since then, and have regained intamacy with my wife, the pain is almost... almost gone. I have been told by others who have experienced the implant, that after more time, I will not notice any difference. I am close to that point now and I am enjoying my new erections.
What do you look like in the locker room when its not inflated?
I have not been to the locker room and only my surgeon, his nurse, the uro nurse at the hospital, the class of medical student (Next day after surgery...boy, was that an experience), and a PA has seen it. But I can tell you in the mirror I look good. I mean, in my opinion, I've never looked better. I think my wife agrees.
More: Flacid, I look larger than my former flacid state. This is due to the fact that implants do not normally recede up into the body as before implant. Neither does the penis shrink as much as it did pre-surgery flacid. This means the "look" is noticably larger. This bothered me at first because I did not like the idea of showing a bigger "package" through my slacks. Now I am used to it and don't really care. It is now who I am. In my opinion, I still look better down there than ever in the mirror. Of course, looks mean nothing if it does not work.
Nother question and answer:
Is it true that you will lose some length in the penis after implant?
I did. I lost about 3/4's of an inch. It seems that most do lose some. But I gained in girth. That does make sex with the wife a little different. But the important thing is that although it is different, it is still good... very good. It works.
Any more questions? Those of us with experience will attempt to answer.
Gene214