What to expect before & after surgery
Knowing what to expect before and after the penile implant procedure can help ease anxieties and ensure a smoother recovery process.
ED Explained
What to expect after a penile implant procedure
Although everyone’s healing journey looks different, Dr. Ashley Tapscott provides insights into what can typically be expected after a penile implant procedure.
Getting prepared before surgery
Before undergoing penile implant surgery, you can expect a thorough consultation with your healthcare provider to discuss the procedure, potential risks, preoperative preparations and expected outcomes. This may include:
- Review of your medical history
- Physical examination
- Any necessary preoperative tests
- Foods and drinks to avoid before surgery
- Guidance on medications to take or avoid leading up to the procedure. Your physician may want you to stop taking some medications, including over the counter and/or supplements. These medications may include injectable medications indicated for diabetes, weight loss (i.e. Ozempic®, Trulicity®) and blood thinners. Please check with your surgeon before stopping medications.
Additionally, you may be advised on lifestyle modifications and steps to optimize your overall health prior to surgery.
Recovering after surgery
Following penile implant surgery, you can expect a period of recovery and adjustment. On average it takes about 4-6 weeks to return to strenuous exercise and begin to inflate and deflate the implant. Most men return home on the same day of their implant surgery and can resume light activity within a few days. While patient outcomes differ, in general, many patients and their physicians have experiences like these:
- It’s common to experience swelling and temporary changes in sensation around the surgical site, which typically improve with time.
- Pain management strategies, including medication and ice packs, may be prescribed to alleviate discomfort in the immediate postoperative period.
- Post-operative pain should resolve within a few weeks.
- If your pain persists or you experience increased redness or swelling at the incision site or notice an increase in body temperature, contact your doctor immediately.
Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor progress, address any concerns, and provide guidance on gradually resuming normal activities and intimacy. Please follow the recommendations that your physician gives to you to ensure the best outcome.
ED Explained
Are penile implants safe in MRI machines and airport security?
Having a penile implant may raise questions around what to expect when going through airport security or needing an MRI. Listen in as Dr. Ashley Tapscott explains what to consider.
MRI Requirements
If you need to have an MRI after your penile implant procedure, you will need to provide the “MRI Compatibility Letter” which you can download below. For your documentation, an “MR Card” is also provided below for download if you no longer have it from your post-procedure materials.
If you have additional questions, please call Coloplast at 1-800-258-3476
Find a local implant doctor
If you are ready to talk to a doctor about the possibility of receiving a penile implant, use our physician directory to find a qualified urologist specializing in ED near you. They can explain your options, answer your questions, and help you take the next step toward reclaiming control—and your confidence.1
Talk to someone who has been through it
Want to talk to someone who has received a penile implant and experienced the procedure process? Set up a call with one of our Patient Educators. These men and their partners have found a solution for erectile dysfunction with a penile implant – and they’re ready to share their experiences with you.
Have questions? Need support? We’re here to help!
Call or chat online with a member of our Coloplast Guided Support team. We can answer your questions and connect you with a local qualified urologist who specializes in ED.
References
1 Data on file at Coloplast
PM-33081
Important safety information
Titan® & Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is a surgically implanted mechanical penile implant intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. The Titan implant is a 3-piece fluid-filled system manually operated to produce and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.
Indications
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is indicated for male patients with erectile dysfunction who are considered to be candidates for implantation of a penile prosthesis.
Contraindications
The Titan implant is not for use in patients who have one or more of the following conditions: 1) have an active infection, particularly urinary tract or genital infection, 2) are sensitive or allergic to silicone or polyurethane, 3) have ongoing difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder (e.g., bladder outlet obstruction or neurogenic bladder), or 4) unwilling to undergo any further surgery for device revision.
Warnings
Patients should consider the warnings, precautions and potential complications associated with the use of this product, which may include the following: potential for resurgery (note: device is not a lifetime implant). Implantation makes latent natural erections, as well as other interventional treatment options, impossible. Implantation may result in penile shortening, curvature or scarring. Pre-existing abdominal or penile scarring or contracture may make surgical implantation more complicated or impractical. Diabetic, as well as immunocompromised patients, may have an increased risk of infection which could result in permanent damage to tissue/organs. Excessive stresses from rigorous exercise and vigorous masturbation/intercourse could lead to device damage. Certain stresses and pressures (straddle seating, obesity, etc.) could lead to involuntary inflation or deflation. Post-implant penile size, girth and angle can vary based on patient anatomy, implant size, level of inflation, and presence of Peyronie’s disease.
Precautions
Patients with spinal cord injury may have an increased risk of infection. This device may be used to treat erectile dysfunction in the presence of Peyronie’s disease. Although the implant is not visible, depending on the placement (submuscular) the reservoir may be palpable.
Patients should consider the following factors which could lead to increased risk of failure and can be critical to the eventual success of the procedure: ability and willingness of the patient to follow instructions; associated psychological status (e.g., psychogenic erectile dysfunction, inappropriate attitude or motivation); health conditions which hamper sexual activity (such as severe angina) may prevent successful use of this device; manual dexterity problems; and lack sufficient manual dexterity or strength necessary to operate the device.
Impact injuries to the pelvic or abdominal areas (e.g., sports injuries) can result in damage to the implant which may necessitate replacement of the device. Contracture of tissue around the pump can cause unnatural firmness in the scrotum and involuntary inflation or deflation. The device may fail to deflate and/or deflation of the device may be slow or difficult for some patients. Device malfunctions may result in the inability to inflate or deflate the device. Removal of the device without timely reimplantation of a new implant may complicate subsequent reimplantation.
Potential Complications
Adverse events are known to occur with penile protheses procedures and implants; some may require revision surgery or removal of the implant. Adverse events following penile protheses implantation may be new onset (de novo), persistent, worsening, transient, or permanent.
Adverse events may include but are not limited to: inability to pull foreskin back from tip of uncircumcised penis (acquired phimosis); abnormal wound healing/adhesion/scar tissue; bladder storage symptoms/urinary retention; tightening, shortening, deformity or curvature of penis (capsular contracture, induration); discomfort/pain; injury to tissue or organs (perforation/erosion/extrusion) resulting in damage or loss of tissue (necrosis); open tunnel between tissue or organs (fistula); foreign body reaction/allergic reaction/sensitivity; bleeding/hemorrhage or collection of blood or fluid outside of tissue or vessels (hematoma/seroma); hernia; Infection/urinary tract infection; redness or swelling (inflammation/edema); difficult or painful intercourse (dyspareunia/sexual dysfunction); obstruction/occlusion; numbness or decreased sensation (e.g., hypoesthesia); and urinary incontinence. The occurrence of these events may require one or more subsequent surgeries which may or may not always fully correct the complication.
This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if an inflatable penile implant is right for you.
Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
PM-15451 / Feb 2024