Operations and prostheses of penile

The procedure of placing a penile implant inside the penis is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. Medicine for general anaesthesia puts You to sleep, while spinal anaesthesia numbs the lower half of Your body. Either way, You will not feel any pain during the surgery. The procedure usually takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Since there are several types of penile implants, the course of the operation may differ depending on the chosen model.

During the surgery, a doctor makes an incision in one of three places: below the head of the penis, at the base of it or in the lower abdomen. Then, he stretches the spongy tissue that is supposed to fill with blood during an erection. It is located in the so-called corpora cavernosa. The surgeon places a customised prosthesis inside Your penis. If it is a two-piece model, a special pump and a valve have to be put inside Your scrotum. In the case of a three-piece model, the doctor has to also implant a fluid reservoir under the abdominal wall.

Before the surgery, You might need to avoid certain medications and limit Your food intake. Usually, patients have to stay off food since the evening preceding the operation. Talk to Your doctor about all Your health conditions and medicines that You normally take. He will decide if You have to stop them or alter the prescribed doses. Most likely, You will be administered antibiotics to prevent infections related to the surgery.

After penile implant surgery, for a few weeks You may feel mild pain that You can ease with medicines recommended by Your doctor. Do not take analgesic pills such as aspirin, because they increase the risk of bleeding. During the post-operational period, You should keep Your penis pointing upwards towards Your belly button, which prevents downward curvature later on. Your doctor will instruct You about when You can resume sexual activity and strenuous physical exercises. For most men, it takes four to six weeks.

Be sure to talk to Your doctor openly about Your expectations. You must understand what You can expect after the operation. Penile implants are not for everyone. Tell Your physician about all Your medical conditions. Diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes and infections of the urinary tract are contraindications for the procedure. Penile prostheses are not a suitable treatment option for reversible erectile dysfunction, for example, caused by stress or relationship problems.