Implants and ligaments

Hello all

Well, here I am, 44 years old and 2 1/2 years post op. And still making no wood. I'm leaning heavily to implant surgery. Insurance has agreed to pay, I have just have to pull the trigger.

My question concerns size. I know, I know, all the literature says that I'm probably not as abnormal as I think. Trust me, I am. Especially after 2 1/2 years of non-use. Even the pump is not helping. I'm not looking to go into the adult film industry or anything. My extremely understanding wife of 22 years will be happy with anything that works. I'm just not certain that what I have now will be enough.

My implant Dr. (Dr. Knoll, Centenial Medical Center, Nashville) indicated to me during my last visit that he could cut the suspensory ligament during the implant surgery to possibly regain some length. I did not ask any questions at the time, because there was too much being discussed. And I will, obviously, ask him more. However, after researching and seeing a lot of varied material and opinions, I'm wondering if anyone out there has had experience with this.

I would appreciate any input.

Smokie

Does cutting that ligament cause the penis to hang down even when erect? If so, I would see that as a definite downside -- excuse the pun!

I have seen mention elsewhere of extenders that you apply to stretch the penis prior to surgery -- perhaps that might be another option for you?

Hey Piano and Smokie

It's true, a lot of my problems were because they were done years ago. Even the best at the time had limited techniques available. There was no requirement for pumping or other stretching protocol. Several years ago I started with the pump from the recommendation of Dr. Fishman in Houston - F. Brantly Scotts old partner. It had little effect, probably due to the time delay. I have been using a vacuum & weight system for the last several months, anticipating my next surgery. This system uses weights to stretch the tissues. It seems to be more effective, as it puts direct downward tension - the pump alone seems to expand the tissues outward as much as lengthen, which in my case is not desirable, due to my weakened penile walls. I'm not sure how effective these things are.
As to the ligament cutting, from what I understand if not under tension it will heal back and effectively do nothing for length. It never effected the stability of the erection.
Art

Gene214 said...

Art,

I'm sure you've mentioned your next surgery or procedure in past posts, but I don't recall what it is to be.  What will it be?  And I too am curious about what you are doing now in "getting ready".  Although my implant gives me a good erection, I still struggle emotionally somewhat with a shorter penis than I had previously.  My wife says she cannot tell any difference, but I can.  Since I was larger than average before pc surgery and before implant surgery, I still have an "average" size, if what I read about "average" size is correct.  But sometimes it's difficult to get the friction needed for the intercouse to be as satisfying as I would like.  I also wonder with all the years and years of marriage with the same lovely lady and with the thosands of sessions we have enjoyed together, have I stretched her to the size that I used to be?   

So can you explain what you are doing now with the weights, etc.?  Do you suppose something like that would help someone like me who already has the prosthesis implanted?  I suppose I know the answer already, but would like to hear what you think since you're certainly the most experienced of any of us who have an implant.

Gene214

Hi Gene -Well, it's almost time to get a new implant - fluid loss I fear. I am doing the stretching as I can't pump up the implant as full as before - so hoping that the tissues will benefit from the vacuum and weight combination. I might add the vacuum system and the weight systems were prescribed by the physician at the time. Again, I have no idea if this will help, but am doing it - to do something. As I have the implant in place, the vacuum and weight system (which places the penis within a cylinder - not the ones that wrap around the penis) works ok. The weights that just wrap around the penis, or a sling like contraption seem like they would not work for guys that are implanted. I know there is ongoing research by Dr.M about implanting stretching cylinders (walls are thicker to prevent buckling) and after several months are removed and a conventional implant placed to try to increase length.

Will it work? I have no idea.