When considering going into any surgery, it is important to be informed of recovery time. One of the most common questions concerning penile implant surgery is what penile implant recovery entails and how long until you fully recover. The great news is, the recovery process is quick, and patients most often feel minimal discomfort.
First and foremost, speak to your specialist. They will instruct you on specific things you can do to ensure a speedy recovery. As stated, every surgery and every patient is different, which is why the best advice will come from the specialist performing your procedure. Still, here are some general do’s and don’ts to experience a speedy recovery.
It is recommended that patients avoid vigorous physical exercise for a minimum of two weeks after surgery. While you may have correctly guessed that activities such as running are highly discouraged during this time, it is also recommended that strenuous activity of any kind, even those performed sitting down, should be avoided. Avoiding activities allows the body to concentrate on healing the area addressed during surgery.
In most cases, avoid activation and deactivation of the penile implant for a minimum of two weeks post-surgery to facilitate healing and improve comfort during the first activations.
After your procedure, elevate the scrotum and apply ice where there is swelling. Ensure you do not apply ice directly, but instead, wrap ice in a towel or dishcloth to prevent frostbite, and do not apply ice for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Elevating the scrotum can be achieved by using supportive underwear or placing a washcloth between the legs. When possible, try to support the penis upwards towards your navel.
Gently pulling down on the pump in the scrotum post-surgery can ensure that the pump stays in the correct position.
The first activation occurs anywhere from 2-4 weeks post-surgery. This normally occurs with your specialist to ensure and instruct proper activation and deactivation. After the first activation and deactivation process, it is common to be prompted to inflate and deflate the pump a minimum of one time per day. This both allows the patient to become accustomed to the process, as well as ensuring that size is maximized.
It is expected that full recovery is made four to six weeks post-surgery.
The do’s and don’ts discussed above will assist in facilitating a swift recovery. The most important step for a successful procedure, however, is choosing a qualified specialist. Dr. Edward Gheiler of Happy Urology has over twenty years of experience and education in urological services, with specialty services including, but not limited to, prostate cancer, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and the Penuma penile implant. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.