Penile length after surgery

I have a feeling this is a case where anecdotal evidence is going to disagree with an objective study.

However I also have the feeling that the study could be accurate when you consider that the measure was based on "Stretched Penile Length" (SPL). It might even be true if it was based on Erect length. But I reckon it would be a different story if they had measured Untouched Flaccid Length.

In my case there is no doubt that, at rest, "Percy" has retreated inwards towards my pelvis, giving a definite reduction in size. However if pulled out, or erect, there is probably not much difference from pre surgery.

Chas

It should be measured by perceived penile length - that's the one that matters most to us.

Self-perceived penile shortening after radical prostatectomy

Like trailguy, (I assume!), my turtle retreated into his shell, post surgery. When I looked at it in the hospital recovery room I thought I'd been given a penisectomy rather than a prostatectomy.

I agree, a lot of men would disagree with the outcome. I know I lost about an inch. Unless they use an antiquated torture rack to "Stretched Penile Length."

Like others, Mr.Happy is now wearing an oversized turtle neck sweater. Being on Lupron I am afraid he will never come out again.

No question it's shorter, as if I needed any help with that. Now, after using the Trimix shots, what's left looks like a curved pretzel. Sigh...

Post Edited (mattamx) : 2/12/2017 10:50:37 AM (GMT-7)

Mine looks mostly normal again. There are times though it seems a bit shorter. I decided it really makes no difference, as I have no trouble urinating, etc. On the few times I've taken viagra and worked on ED rehab, the "erection" looks, again, mostly normal. On that subject, only time will tell.

I had my surgery last Dec 22nd, and had the same thing short and hard to pee sometimes then I was turned on to the penis pump for therapy. I have been pumping for about 4 weeks now and needless to say that has helped no more sad turtle its back where it was before surgery.

I bought a Encore pump it was recommended by medical facility works great easy to use. I pump when I get home it helps with blood flow also.

Dp

Gemlin said...

alephnull said...
Thus causing the ureter to pull backwards that inch to an inch and a half.

No, that is an internet myth and anatomically impossible. The urethra is fixed cannot be retracted inwards, instead the bladder is brought down.

If this isn't possible where did the rest of junior go? Even stretched out to urinate I have to be very careful not to pee down the front of my pants. Previously it was pull it out and let it hang down towards the urinal. I'm seeing what alephnull is saying. At least an inch, maybe two even, is pulled back into my body.

Lupron certainly did not improve the situation either. I'm left with a cocktail wiener and a couple of raisins.

For St. Patrick's day, I used to be known as Pat McGroin. Now I am known as Shorty O'toole.

Chgnd Graytech to Gemlin
Gemlin: "No, that is an internet myth and anatomically impossible. The urethra is fixed cannot be retracted inwards, instead the bladder is brought down."

I didn't look to the internet for anything. Although I looked to this article emedicine.medscape.com/article/1972482-overview#showall for specific anatomical references.

Not disputing that the bladder is pulled down some by the lack of urethra tissue..

What I am saying is that since they actually removed an inch to an inch and a half of the urethra, then it stands to reason there would be a natural pulling back, how much I don't know. Yes I know it's attached to some ligaments but that doesn't mean there isn't pressure being exerted by the missing tissue in a backwards fashion. And it seems to make sense that in men with complete ED because a non-nerve sparing surgery, that those muscles and ligaments become weak from lack of usage.

Post Edited (alephnull) : 2/14/2017 2:54:38 PM (GMT-7)

Shortening of the penis is a very real side-effect/complication of radical prostatectomy.

There's no relevant, significant "movement" of either the bladder (held in place by ligaments connected to the pelvis) or the urethra (also contstrained "below" where the prostate was); there's enough "give" to pull these two sections back together.

Rather, shortening is caused by one or both of two mechanisms (each individual case has more or less of each of these mutually independent causes).

1. Permanent nerve damage experienced during surgery: When nerve damage occurs (anywhere in the body), the tissues to which the damaged nerves supply impulses usually experience atrophy or breakdown. The lack of impulses to smooth muscle of the penis leads to an atrophy or breakdown of the tissues responsible for erections and causes the penis to shrink both in length and girth.

2. Decreased transport of blood and oxygen through the erectile tissue of the penis: Loss of erections is a common side effect of prostatectomy, particularly in the first few months after surgery. Erections lead to the circulation of oxygen-rich blood through the penis which nurtures it and keeps it healthy. If no erections occur for extended periods of time, the lack of circulation of this oxygen-rich blood leads to fibrosis or scarring of the erectile tissue of the penis, also leading it to shrink in terms of length and girth.

The most effective method of minimizing the chance of shortening the penis depends on avoiding the permanent damage to the penis that I described above. This requires some work by both surgeon and patient.

In the first case, damage to the nerves around the prostate needs to be avoided by the surgeon. The way to accomplish this task is to perform a meticulous nerve sparing prostatectomy. Of course, every prostatectomy is always a fine balance between cancer control and nerve sparing. That is why a skilled, experienced surgeon is vital to performing a prostatectomy that removes the prostate with a minimal sacrifice of the nerves. No nerve-sparing, more nerve damage.

In the second case, we are all (mostly) aware of the job which falls to the hands of the patient...we like to call it "rehab." The purpose of rehab is to ensure the continued circulation of oxygen-rich blood through the penis and prevent the scarring of the penis that I mentioned above.

How much shortening any one man has depends uniquely on the fine details of his individual surgical procedure, and how vigorously (or not) he rehabed. One is not in the patient's control (except choosing an excellent, experienced surgeon, although that by itself does not assure no nerve damage), and the other is in his control.

The other element not in his control is luck..which seems to randomly bless some with more or worse side effects than others with nearly identical case characteristics. Luck, I'm finding, is huge.