What is Penile Implants?
A penile implant also known as the penile prosthesis is a medical device that is placed into a man’s penis to help them produce a natural-looking and feeling erection.1 out of 4 men over the age of 60 suffer from Erectile Dysfunction, but it is still a taboo topic to discuss for them.
First course of action to treat this problem is always pills or penis pumps, but since pills or pumps don’t offer instant fix in most cases, a penile implant can be a great option.
What makes you an eligible candidate for a penile implant?
You will be considered eligible for penile implant if:
- Erectile dysfunction is taking away all the fun from your sexual life.
- Penis pumps or medications that help with erection are not working for you.
- You have Peyronie’s disease.
What are the different types of penile implants?
Following are the three kinds of penile implants:
- Semi Rigid or one piece implant: This method uses flexible cylinders and is the least expensive one among all the three methods. It is good for men who have a buried penis and they need prosthetic support to hold a condom catheter
- Two-piece implant: This method uses a cylinder and a pump, men get an erection in this method when pumping fills the cylinders. It is the best choice for men who have pelvic issues
- Three piece implant:This method is the most commonly used method. It consists of a pair of cylinders that are placed in the penis, and a pump, and a reservoir of saline that is placed in the scrotum. The three-piece implant method gives men full control over their erection. People with diabetes, cancer, pelvic trauma, or spinal cord injuries can also get three please implants.
In order to choose the best of the above-mentioned methods you can take assistance from a doctor who will help you choose what's best for you after considering your symptoms and expectations.
Is penile implant a safe procedure?
Penile implants have a 1% chance of infection just like other surgeries, otherwise, there are no other factors or complications that make the procedure risky. However, one should always choose a highly qualified surgeon to perform the procedure to minimize any chances of surgical mistakes and complications.
You can log on to oladoc.com to find yourself the best surgeon in town.
How can I prepare myself for the procedure?
You can prepare for a penile implant like this:
- You will be instructed to stop eating and drinking at least 12 to 18 hours before the surgery. However, you can brush your teeth without swallowing water.
- Make sure you arrange a ride home with someone you trust after the procedure..
- Don’t forget to tell your doctor if you’re allergic to certain medications or substances.
- Make sure to remove your contact lenses and all the valuables before the surgery.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
When you reach the hospital, you will be asked to change in a hospital gown and leave all your valuables outside the procedure room. A nurse will take you to the procedure room and you will be asked to lie down on a surgical bed.
The nurse will proceed with shaving your area if needed and attach a catheter and intravenous line. You will then be given spinal or general anesthesia.
Following this, the surgeon will begin the procedure by making an incision in your lower abdomen and below the head of your penis. Then the tissue in which blood is filled during an erection will be stretched and cylinders will be pleased within it. Incisions will then be closed and the entire procedure takes an hour or two.
What to expect after the surgery?
Mild bleeding and bruising occur for some patients after the surgery. Some patients also find it hard to initiate the urinary stream. There is constant discomfort for some patients in the urethra, bladder, and lower abdomen after the penile implant.
To relieve the pain and discomfort you can use cold and hot packs. Your doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous exercises for two weeks after the surgery. You won’t be allowed to swim or soak in the hot tub for four weeks and any sexual activity will be prohibited for six weeks after the surgery.
Is hospital stay required for penile implant?
Penile implant is at times done as an outpatient service which means that the patient can go home the same day of the procedure. However, some surgeons prefer that their patient stays at least for a day at the hospital after the procedure. So this means that your doctor will decide if you need to stay at the hospital after the procedure or not.
How long is the penile implant recovery time?
Every human body is different from one another so the recovery time varies. Generally, patients start feeling pain-free and better one week after the procedure.
When can I start using my implant?
Your doctor will teach you the way to use your implant, usually, it is done two weeks after the surgery. On the day of follow-up, appointment doctors demonstrate to the patient the procedure of inflating the implant, and then the patient is advised to do so as an exercise every day for some time.
Most patients don’t feel much initially, but that's not something you should worry about at such initial stages. Generally, a 4 to 6 weeks time period is required for patients to recover and resume sexual activities
What are the risks associated with a penile implant?
Following are the complications or risk factors that come along with a penile implant:
- Possibility of an infection:here is a chance of infection after every surgery. Infection after a penile implant will give you symptoms like fever, pus, and swelling in the scrotum. You are more at risk of getting infected if you are diabetic or you have had a spinal cord injury in the past.
- Issued within the implant:In some rare cases, implants crash or malfunction. Repeat surgery may be required to fix a problem with the implant.
- Adhesion or erosion of the implant:In some unfortunate events the implants get stuck to the skin or break through it. This can be a result of an infection.
What are the benefits of penile implants?
Following are the benefits of penile implants:
- The implant gives you a rigid erection that works great in satisfying your partner.
- It helps a man regain his lost spontaneity and confidence in sexual life.
- The implant helps in predicting and controlling the erection.
Can a woman tell if a man has a penile implant?
A small surgical scar is there sometimes right above the penis, on the lower abdomen or at times on the bottom of the penis where it meets the scrotal sac. However, it is not visible to other people, so a woman won’t be able to tell if a man has had a penile implant.
Penile implant price in Pakistan
People looking to get penile implant surgery in Islamabad should be aware that the average price of a penile implant in Pakistan is around Rs.800 to Rs.5000. The price varies on the basis of the doctor’s qualification and experience.
