Penile Implants on Long Island
What Are Penile Implants?
Penile implants, also known as penile prosthesis, are medical devices designed to restore erectile function in men. This can be for those who experience persistent difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection.
If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, a penile implant may be the best treatment option for you. Men on Long Island can contact Island Men’s Health to schedule a consultation with board-certified urologist Dr. David Peters to discuss ED treatment. Give us a call at (516) 758-8600 or request an appointment through our secure online form.
Why Penile Implants?
While many treatment options exist for erectile dysfunction, penile implants are considered a long-term solution for those who haven’t found success with other interventions.
Many men report the following benefits of a penile implant:
- A reliable solution
- Allows for spontaneity in sexual activity
- Erections can be achieved at any time
- Improved quality of life
- Overall increased sexual satisfaction and function
Penile implant surgery does not affect the following functions:
- Penile sensation
- Orgasm
- Ejaculation
- Urination
The penile implant device is completely concealed. In fact many of Dr. Peters’ patients’ partners don’t necessarily realize they have a penile implant until the patient tells them so.
Why Choose Dr. Peters
Dr. Peters is a board-certified urologist and renowned specialist regarding reconstructive surgery for men with ED and Peyronies disease. For both conditions, the penile implant can be an effective treatment option. In some cases, additional reconstructive surgery needs to be performed during penile implant surgery, and there are very few surgeons in the US who have the extensive training experience required to do this like Dr. Peters.
For patients of Dr. Peters, penile implant surgery is a same-day ambulatory procedure that takes about an hour under general anesthesia in a hospital or ambulatory center. Many other institutions, however, require an overnight stay for penile implant surgery.
For the inflatable device, although there are multiple components to it, Dr. Peters makes only one 3-4 cm incision where the scrotum meets the penis.
Penile implant patients are often concerned about penile length loss following surgery. Dr. Peters takes extensive measures to prevent this. He utilizes a special device during surgery to measure the inside of the penis and chooses the largest device possible specific to the patient without putting them at risk for device malposition or device erosion.
Dr. Peters measures the stretched penile length before and after surgery and it is the same length in almost all of his patients.
Things to Consider Before Penile Implant Surgery
Prior to the operation, patients wash their bodies with a Hibiclens scrub. Patients are not typically given antibiotics before their procedure.
Diabetic patients must optimize their serum glucose levels for several weeks before and after surgery. Their hemoglobin A1c must be eight or less prior to surgery.
Patients must stop tobacco smoking for several weeks before and after surgery. Many of Dr. Peters’ patients who were cigarette smokers prior to penile implant surgery ultimately stopped smoking cigarettes for good because of this surgical requirement.
Having extensive cardiac history does not preclude a patient from having penile implant surgery. In fact, this is a common cause of severe erectile dysfunction. Patients with cardiac history, such as coronary artery stents are encouraged to continue taking medications such as aspirin throughout the surgical process. However, other anti-platelet medications such as Plavix or Effient are held for one week before and after surgery. Other Blood thinners such as Eliquis are held for 2 to 3 days before and after surgery.
Most insurance plans cover the cost of penile implant surgery, including the anesthesia and hospital fees. Penile implant surgery is covered by Medicare.
Types of Penile Implants
The two main types of penile implants are inflatable implants and malleable implants.
- These devices consist of a pump and inflatable cylinders.
- When the pump is activated, it transfers fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders in the penis, creating an erection.
- Inflatable implants offer a more natural-feeling erection and the ability to control the duration of the erection.
- Also known as semi-rigid or non-inflatable implants, these devices consist of bendable rods that are surgically implanted into the penis.
- While malleable implants maintain a constant firmness, they can be discreetly adjusted to a more concealed position when not in use.
Depending on the type of implant, your surgeon will talk with you about what to expect. The surgery usually takes a couple hours and you can go home following the procedure. After inserting the implant, your surgeon will close the incisions with dissolvable stitches. It is important to monitor closely for any signs of infection or pain.
What to Expect After Penile Implant Surgery
Penile implant surgery is a painful procedure. Patients won’t have pain immediately following the surgery because of all the special local anesthesia (nerve blocks) applied to the genital area, but it becomes painful once the anesthesia wears off.
There is swelling and bruising on the genital area, and sometimes the lower abdomen and upper thighs, for about one to two weeks. However, patients are fully functional during this time in terms of ambulating and maintaining their daily lives. Most patients return to work one week after surgery. The restrictions are no heavy lifting for approximately six weeks, strictly no sexual activity for approximately six weeks (and only once cleared by Dr. Peters to do so), and no soaking in pools or hot tubs for six weeks or so.
Patients will be given pain medication and antibiotics for 7 days post-op, and antibiotics 10 days after surgery.
Patients will have multiple post-op visits with Dr. Peters in the first few months to ensure they are healing well and there is no infection, and to ultimately teach them how to manipulate and cycle the device.
The main risks of penile implant surgery are infections. The implants are coated with antibiotics so the national average presently for infections is approximately 2%. Dr. Peters’ infection average is less than 1% due to his extensive experience as a high-volume penile implant surgeon and skill doing this type of surgery, as well as the speed at which he performed the surgery. Dr. Peters also takes other preventative measures during the surgery to reduce the risk of infection including washing out the wound and performing a modified “no-touch” technique.
While penile implants allow men to get an erection, they don’t increase sexual desire or sensation. Penile implants also won’t make your penis any larger than it is at the time of surgery.
Schedule a Penile Implant Consultation
Give us a call at (516) 758-8600 to talk about your options for penile implants, or request an appointment through our secure online form.