Post by Rick Redner on Dec 6, 2014 11:13:49 GMT -5
I recently posted my decision to go for a penile implant on another forum. A woman created a new thread for the purpose of mocking my decision, dismissively calling the procedure cosmetic surgery" meaning vanity was the reason for an implant.
When a women wants to enlarge her breasts, or man wants to enlarge his penis girth or length those motivations leading to surgery would be considered cosmetic.
After a double mastectomy, if a woman decides to have surgical reconstruction it is a restorative surgery. In the very same way if a man is rendered impotent as a result of surgery or radiation, the decision to have a penile implant is a restorative not a cosmetic surgery. The majority of insurance companies takes this position, including Medicare, so a penile implant following cancer treatment is usually a covered procedure.
I decided to get an implant after a woman shared her story with prostate cancer. Her husband chose surgery. He was cancer free for 7 years. During those years he became increasingly depressed and started using alcohol to cover his pain. He avoided intimacy and shut out his wife both emotionally and physically. Seven years after surgery, he committed suicide.
For many years post-surgery I had tried the vacuum pump, injections, and ED medication. I had some success, but all treatments eventually failed. After 4 years I had enough. I missed part of my sexuality that was lost after my prostate was removed.
I know many men get so angry about ED they say they won't go within a mile of another surgeon. While I understand that sentiment, I wholeheartedly disagree with it.
I wanted an implant. Truthfully it's not all a bed of roses. There are some down sides. When injections were successful, I felt like a mechanical man. I could not obtain an erection with exciting sights, sounds, smell or touch. Once I injected I could be thinking about work, the news, anything at all, and I'd have an erection. I felt as though I'd lost control over my body. While I enjoyed the opportunity to resume our sex life, I had a difficult time adjusting to this new reality.
I suspect I'll experience the same issue with the implant. That said I've had 4 years to adjust to impotence. I don't think feeling like a mechanical man will inhibit my enjoyment. I can't wait to have my surgery which should occur sometime in early January.
When a women wants to enlarge her breasts, or man wants to enlarge his penis girth or length those motivations leading to surgery would be considered cosmetic.
After a double mastectomy, if a woman decides to have surgical reconstruction it is a restorative surgery. In the very same way if a man is rendered impotent as a result of surgery or radiation, the decision to have a penile implant is a restorative not a cosmetic surgery. The majority of insurance companies takes this position, including Medicare, so a penile implant following cancer treatment is usually a covered procedure.
I decided to get an implant after a woman shared her story with prostate cancer. Her husband chose surgery. He was cancer free for 7 years. During those years he became increasingly depressed and started using alcohol to cover his pain. He avoided intimacy and shut out his wife both emotionally and physically. Seven years after surgery, he committed suicide.
For many years post-surgery I had tried the vacuum pump, injections, and ED medication. I had some success, but all treatments eventually failed. After 4 years I had enough. I missed part of my sexuality that was lost after my prostate was removed.
I know many men get so angry about ED they say they won't go within a mile of another surgeon. While I understand that sentiment, I wholeheartedly disagree with it.
I wanted an implant. Truthfully it's not all a bed of roses. There are some down sides. When injections were successful, I felt like a mechanical man. I could not obtain an erection with exciting sights, sounds, smell or touch. Once I injected I could be thinking about work, the news, anything at all, and I'd have an erection. I felt as though I'd lost control over my body. While I enjoyed the opportunity to resume our sex life, I had a difficult time adjusting to this new reality.
I suspect I'll experience the same issue with the implant. That said I've had 4 years to adjust to impotence. I don't think feeling like a mechanical man will inhibit my enjoyment. I can't wait to have my surgery which should occur sometime in early January.