This is a email I received from Mike a few days ago. He had just had his implant activated and tried it for the first time.
Jack, Hope this finds you doing well. Thank you for you blog it was very beneficial to me as I prepared and finally made the decision to get a AMS LGX implant. I made it through the surgery and recovery ok with little or no complications. There was one thing that I felt was a complication and that was one cylinder seems to be about 3/8" shorter than the other. This is the case whether the implant is inflated or deflated. The Doc agreed that one was shorter that the other and mumbled a word or two about possible causes but said it should not cause any problems. Now onto my sand concerns. The first "go around" at 6 weeks was very disappointing to both my wife and I. I had quiet a bit of uncomfort which bordered on pain and felt very little sensation. My wife didn't enjoy the act at all and she did not get much sensation either. To be honest it was a very big let down. Prior to this I have been inflating and deflating twice a day and initially felt pain and discomfort but had gotten over that. When I inflate I notice that things seem smaller that before surgery. Before I could get a erection 25 percent of time for a very brief period and. I was not surprise by the shorter length as I had read that this could be suspected. I do still have good blood flow to the glands which helps things look closer to normal. When inflated the erection looks fair but it is not as rigid as I thought it would be. Things are hard so to speak but just not rigid. I pump the bulb until it gets hard and can still make small pumps but am afraid to pump to much and damage something. I know I have given you a lot of info but I wanted give you enough details so you might could give me some advice. I guess my main question is the performance of the implant supposed to be like this at 6 weeks? Will things get better for the wife and I or is this it? I know there is a learning curve and I have read several places that sensation returns and things stretch out over the course of the next year. I hope this is the case. Thanks again for you blog and any advice you can give. Mike-
Hi Mike
First RELAX things you are experiencing are perfectly normal. Let me give you some pointers.
My left cylinder is 1cm shorter than the right, it is not a problem. Dr. Milam told me about it right after surgery he said it may have been from the urethra puncture by the first doctor or it could just be the way I am. I know a few men with severe peyronies that one cylinder is 3cm shorter than the other. It is not a problem for sex and over the next several months you will be the only one that knows it.
The first "go round" is not easy on either of you. Our first time I had to quit less than half way through because it hurt!!! It will get better each time you use it. Try 800mg (4 200mg pills)of ibuprofen about 30 minutes before you try again. Do Not take prescription pain meds because they will dull the sensations in your glans.
Yes we all are shorter after surgery until the LGX expands. A tip that works well is to put your wife's butt on a pillow and use a little astroglide. (With astroglide a little goes a long way.) This changes the angle of penetration just enough and makes for better penetration. Try shorter strokes for a while, just enough for a good feel in the glans.
It will get harder in the shaft. The glans takes a while. Just before penetration try to squeeze the pump a few times you may get a little more expansion. Do this for at least a year. Continue to inflate the implant twice a day for the first 18 months. I recommend holding for about 5 minutes then deflate. Do this about 3 or 4 times twice a day. This gets the implant expanding as soon as possible. YOU CAN NOT PUMP TOO MUCH AND DAMAGE SOMETHING!!! I still inflate mine at least once a day and it has been over 4 years. Dr. Milam said to "knock my self out" trying to damage it doing this.
You are doing just fine at 6 weeks. Complete healing and expansion takes up to 18 months so don't rush things. The last time I saw Dr. Milam he said he is now seeing men with expansion up to 3 years.
What else can I tell you. Just relax and don't push it. Keep on trying to have sex with the wife every few days. The more you try the sooner the soreness will work out. It is just like physical therapy for the penis. Don't forget to put a pillow under her butt, all the couples that try it stay with it even after the implant heals.
Anything else I can help with let me know.
Jack
Jack,
Thanks for your response. You don't know what burden you have lifted off of me. Getting the implant was the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak and the first time out it looked like my light had went out. I have spent the last few days thinking that I may have made one of the worst mistakes of my life. My wife's apparent disappointment did not do anything but add to my anxiety. Prior to the surgery I was able to get a decent erection with Viagra about 25 percent of the time but when I took enough to achieve this, I had some of the worst headaches I have ever experienced and it took me a day or two to get over it. I had did a a lot of research during the year before the surgery at which time I went through the unsuccessful tries with the pump and injections. So I knew a little of what to expect but I guess I had to high of expectations so early in the ball game. I am also relieved about learning the one cylinder being shorter than the other is normal. This has been a big concern of mine since I first discovered it as I thought it might mean I would have surgery to fix the problem. Thanks again I will rest much better tonight and I am sure I will have more questions for you as things progress. Keep up the blog, I don't know if you are fully aware how much a help it is to those who are considering or already have the implant. -Mike
PS ED and other problems that lead to an implant make it hard on a couples sex life. I would like to recommend a book. Intended for Pleasure by Dr.Ed Wheat. It held us and other couples through this trying time in our life. The last time I checked it was available at amazon.com.
Jackp
