At last, my penile implant

Some of you have asked for an update now that the implant has been in use for a year.

My penis is shorter and less girthy than before surgery and salvage radiotherapy.  That's obviously not the implant's fault.  The penis itself though looks natural.  You wouldn't know by looking at it that there is an implant inside it.  Touching it, it is obvious but not off-putting.  I really don't like the pump part that sits between my testicles.   It is bulky and heavy.  You use it to inflate and deflate the device.

I think the design of the pump part of the device could be improved.  Maybe not.   I wonder if eventually a smaller, less obtrusive pump could be designed. 

An app based device could be interesting.  You may not need a pump if the app could somehow release the fluid from the reservoir.

My orgasms are a bit harder to achieve than with the Invicorp injections but that's not a huge problem.

Orgasms are not as sensitive.  With Invicorp, I had excellent dry orgasms.  With the pump, most orgasms are good, some are excellent. Maybe it's an age thing, but I am only 53.

Imagine this.  If I had been able to get as many Invicorp injections on prescription as I wanted, and if I could have injected myself as often as I wanted and if the injection lasted more than 45 minutes (with many men it lasts longer), then I think I'd prefer Invicorp to the implant.

The implant works well for me and I'm reconciled to it, not overjoyed with it.  It's a pity that there isn't a man on here who has a much more positive view of the implant, as I wouldn't want my experience putting anyone off.

But if you want a guaranteed erection, the implant will do that for you.  

5 month update

Think carefully and do your research if you are considering an implant.  I'd probably do it again, but I do have reservations.

The pump mechanism in the scrotum is hard and heavy.  I really don't like it.  I'm sure they could design a more modern, less heavy pump.

The inflate/deflate mechanism is tricky to use.  It is not as easy as turning the lights on and off.  Once again, I wouldn't let this put you off getting an implant, but the demonstrator model they show you at the hospital is easier to use than the fitted implant.  You need to be aware of that.

My penis has lost some sensitivity.   It's got plastic bits in it and tubes.  It does still work though.  I still have good dry orgasms.

I can have an erection when I want.

Deflation doesn't always work as well as it should.  I run around with a semi most of the time.

The head of my penis doesn't plump up as well as it should.  The hospital prescribed muse gel to put in the urethra.  Immediately the pain was intolerable.  That was why I had to move to invicorp.  I wonder does invicorp have a pain free urethral gel.

So, not 100% happy.  Just wanting to be honest.  There are improvements to be made to this device.

If I could have had unlimited invicorp injections I would have stuck with that.

In the absence of a more satisfactory solution, this is a good solution, but not a brilliant one.

Back on the ward.  All went according to plan.  Can I just say, the staff here at UCLH have been phenomenal.  Truly the loveliest people around.  I am so lucky to be in their care.  Pain under control too.

I took a selfie of my scrotum. 

Oh my goodness.  The bruising in my perineum is extensive.  It's no wonder sitting down is a bit of an issue at the moment.

Not feeling so brave now, but still no regrets.

It's gonna be worth it all.  Imagine, an erection on demand, unlike my 4 standard issue NHS provided erections per month.

I'm bad.  I'm sore and I'm thinking about my penis.  Men, eh????

I'm home.  Sore and bruised.  Hope all this proves to be worth it.  I'm sure it will.  I do think I've turned a corner.  Follow up next week.  I'll let you know what the doc says.

We missed an opportunity.   We should have organised a Mill on the Soar event and held the launch there

Thank you so much Ulsterman for your wonderful resilience, both in terms of all the pain and discomfort and also staying with this thread and keep us all informed throughout your huge investment and the literal ups and downs that came with it. I admire the way you keep your sense of humour throughout! And big thanks for all the information - real live stories unfolding somehow teach me more than reading up dry summaries online.

So glad your implant is giving you something that is much more fun than cycling!!!

Hi,

I underwent a 3 piece implant around the same time, and will agree on the points that there are significant lifestyle changes that come with it.

You now have a completely lifeless appendage that does ‘show’ and have to think of containment, because it is uncomfortable and now un-natural for it to hang left or right (or upright). It does not shrink much from the pumped position. (Presumably it is not quite as bad as the malleable implant, which I discounted for that reason). 
As the Americans say, be proud and show it!

It is otherwise undetectable unless with intimate touching, and my wife says no different during sex, so happy days.
I was also not advised on how it would all feel but guess the surgeons don’t ask their patients as I have not had any direct contact since the operation and hopefully do not expect any.
There are many different pumping techniques/ instructions on use online, (1 or 2 handed, 1 or 2 thumb etc etc). More than one possible way works for me each time.

My pleasure has waned over the passing years, so no significant impact there.

Pleated, rather than fitted/regular trousers now hang in the wardrobe, as do spandex running shorts combined with longer tops. Totally different ‘separating’ underwear and new swimwear often described as gay interest and meaning more room in front! No hiding this package on the beach!

There really was not enough post op education or information from the teams involved on reflection, but I had researched comprehensively and am more than happy with the result, but it does matter how strongly prepared you are mentally, and able to accept and adapt with the results. Hopefully through more than one revision.

Either way, it’s dramatic losing your prostate or having significant ED and I consider myself lucky to have had the uneventful operation free, after being told my trust did not fund such operations. 

Mike

Just got a shock.  I'm not allowed on a bike again.  It could damage the implant.  They didn't tell me that before.  I used to do a lot of cycling.......but I like sex better than cycling so I would still have gone ahead with the operation.

And despite the shock of this news, these people here at UCLH are absolutely outstanding.

I went for the surgery because I am relatively young, 51.  And you only get 5 invicorp injections per month on the NHS.  5 erections per month.

My recovery has been deeply unpleasant.  Slow and painful.

I don't activate the pump until 27 July.  Only then will I know if it really works.  If it all works well, then I'm sure I'll say the pain was worth it

Was it a Pendalino? Cross country? Or an old (comfortable) Inter City? If you are going to do train porn you have to give us all the info!

Oi you guys.  Start your own thread.  Imagine if my mummy reads about naked women on trains lol

Dave is disappointed, naturally.

And my mummy.....well, now she wants to know what an AMS 700 is. I told her it's a new train we have in England that isn't operational in Northern Ireland. She said, 'Ah.'

Now that's all settled, let's get back to my penis, please.

Launch date has been rescheduled for 15.30 on Thursday of next week. The nurse specialist at UCLH phoned me and said she didn't want to delay the launch any longer. I've waited 5 years 7 months 2 weeks and 6 days since my surgery.

I wonder if Andy can organise a zoom meeting for the launch so we can support you. 

Thanks Chris 

As for the weight of it , ever since my surgery I switched from boxers / trunks to normal pull-on underpants. They support everything nice down there. Are you wearing these ? Good luck

My doctors were most insistent about cycling.  I'm not to do it.  Horse riding is out, too, as are roller coasters.  Basically, you have a mechanical device in your scrotum and anything that could damage it is not recommended.  I used to do coasteering and enjoyed jumping off cliffs and waterfalls.  I think that's probably out, too.

As for your penis looking like a marshmallow on a stick.  An erect penis is better than one which doesn't get hard at all.  My penis has changed its appearance.  Being honest, I used to love my penis and was proud of it.  Now, I've got something that works.  That's all....it works.  I couldnt say I'm proud of it anymore. This disease is brutal.

Have you tried invicorp injections?

Did you attend a pump clinic? The main rings used are the Surefit semi-transluscent silicone rings. They come in 3 sizes, X, Y, Z, with a Y being supplied with the pump and a pack of one of each usually also prescribed separately. You may need to use 2 rings (they'll tell you while they're demoing it on you). They should have shown you how to take the rings off, but in particular, you don't try to drag them off an erect penis which would likely do you some harm. It can be difficult to grip the tabs if there's lube on them, which there usually is by then.

Simon,

Pumps used regularly are good for maintaining and possibly even restoring some lost length. I wonder if it would be a good idea to use one for a while before you are measured up for the implant?