I am Dr. Sébastien Beley , a urologist and andrologist in Paris, and I would like to share with you the most significant lessons I have learned over my 20 years of performing penile implant surgery. This procedure, although often surrounded by questions and apprehensions, represents for many men a true sexual rebirth and a significant improvement in their quality of life.
In this article, I will detail the most frequent and significant feedback from my patients, while answering the recurring questions that often emerge before and after penile implant surgery. My aim is to provide you with a comprehensive and reassuring insight into this therapeutic solution, which is sometimes little-known, but which can profoundly change the intimate lives of the men concerned.
Understanding the context: who are the men concerned by the placement of penile implants?
A fundamental point I’d like to stress from the outset is that men who opt for penile implant surgery are not looking to become “supermen” or multiply their conquests. These are men who have lost the ability to achieve an erection sufficient for a satisfying sex life, often due to chronic illness, heavy treatment or natural aging.
Their motivation is simple and profound: to regain normal, pleasurable erectile function, which is essential to their well-being and their relationship as a couple. The penile implant is not a solution to increase sexual performance beyond the normal range, but a means of restoring a dignified and fulfilling sex life.
Common concerns before penile implant surgery
Fear of change in the couple’s relationship
One of the most frequent comments I hear often comes from the wives or partners of patients. They worry that the insertion of an implant will lead to a radical change in their husband’s sexuality, such as hypersexuality or a sudden desire to have multiple partners.
This fear is understandable, but generally unfounded. In reality, implant surgery is designed solely to restore a lost function, not to transform a man’s personality or desires. Most patients simply want to return to normal, satisfying intimacy with their partner, without excess or overdoing it.
What happens if the implant is no longer used?
Another common question concerns the long-term use of penile implants. What happens if a man stops using them, for example, as he ages? Do penile implants need to be removed?
The answer is clear: there‘s no need to remove the implant, even if it’s not used for a long time. The implant is designed to remain invisible and discreet inside the corpora cavernosa. Whether you activate it or not, it won’t bother you and won’t pose any medical problems. It remains an implanted device, but totally silent inside your body.
Should I talk to my partner before the operation?
Many men hesitate to inform their wife or partner of their plans to get penile implants. However, I strongly recommend doing so, especially if the relationship is stable and long-term.
Why should you? Because your partner probably knows about your erectile dysfunction. After the operation, she’ll quickly notice the improvement, which may raise questions or surprises. What’s more, anticipating and sharing this project will help to reduce pre-operative stress and allow you to approach your convalescence with greater serenity.
In short, giving your partner or wife advance notice is a sign of mutual trust and peace of mind, essential to getting through this stage successfully.
Impact of penile implants on fertility and sexuality
Is it possible to have children after implant surgery?
Fertility is often a major concern, especially for younger men. The answer depends on your situation:
- If you have lost your erections and ejaculations, for example following treatment for prostate cancer, the penile implant will not restore your ability to ejaculate or your fertility.
- If you have maintained your ejaculations despite erectile dysfunction due to vascular problems, diabetes or other causes, the implant will enable you to have rigid erections sufficient for penetrative sex. In this case, fertility can be preserved, and pregnancy is possible.
It’s important to understand that the penile implant is a mechanical solution designed to restore erection, but it does not alter fertility or intrinsic ejaculatory function.
What difference does an implant make to your sex life?
Penile implants restore the ability to achieve a firm erection on demand, allowing for a return to full sexual activity with penetration. However, they do not alter desire, pleasure, or orgasm. These aspects depend on numerous psychological, hormonal, and relational factors.
Implantation is therefore a valuable tool for restoring physical function, but overall sexual fulfillment often requires multidimensional support.
The most common regret: “If I had known, I would have done it sooner”.
One piece of feedback that particularly touches me is what many patients tell me during follow-up consultations, several months or years after the operation. They often say to me:
“Doctor, if I’d known, I would have done this operation earlier”
This regret is not a tribute to my technique, but rather a realization of the relative simplicity of the procedure compared to the difficult years experienced before the decision to undergo surgery.
Many men have gone through periods of suffering, frustration and even estrangement from their partner as a result of untreated erectile dysfunction. This loss of penile volume, this retraction, the distance that sets in for the couple, all leave marks that are difficult to make up for.
The regret expressed often reflects the pain of having lost precious time, years of intimate life that could have been lived to the full. That’s why, if you suffer from erectile dysfunction that is resistant to drug treatment or poorly tolerated, I urge you not to delay in considering a penile implant.
Advice for men considering a penile implant
- Don’t waste any time: If conventional treatments aren’t working for you, don’t remain in limbo or fear. Penile implants can be a lasting and satisfying solution.
- Talk to your doctor: A good dialogue with an experienced urologist is essential to understanding the benefits and limitations of penile implants.
- Talk to other patients: Testimonials from men who have already undergone surgery are invaluable for reassurance and a better understanding of the procedure.
- Inform your partner: Sharing this project with your partner builds trust and makes stress management easier.
- Prepare yourself calmly: The surgery is relatively straightforward, and well-supervised post-operative care will enable you to return to a satisfying intimate life as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Penile implant surgery has been transforming the lives of many men for over twenty years. It restores lost erectile function, improves the quality of sexual and relational life, and boosts self-confidence.
The feedback I’ve shared here shows just how important it is not to let erectile dysfunction take hold without taking action. If you find yourself in this situation, I urge you to consider this option seriously, surrounding yourself with good medical advice and the support of your partner.
Finally, keep in mind that penile implants are not an end in themselves, but a tool to support your overall well-being. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, make the choice that will allow you to rediscover a fulfilling sex life.
For more information on male sexual health, don’t hesitate to consult specialized resources and get in touch with competent professionals in the field.
