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Medically reviewed by Dr. Edward Gheiler, MD, FACS — July 21, 2026
Home › Erectile Dysfunction › Diabetes
Penile Implant Surgery for Diabetic Men in Miami
Diabetes is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction — and one of the hardest to fix with pills. When medications stop working, the inflatable penile implant is the definitive solution. Dr. Edward Gheiler, MD, FACS operates on a practice weighted toward diabetic men, in English and Spanish.
Why diabetes and ED go together
Over the years, diabetes quietly damages the small blood vessels and nerves that make an erection possible. That is why erectile dysfunction is so common in diabetic men — often earlier, more severe, and less responsive to Viagra or Cialis than in other men. For many diabetics the pills work for a while and then stop. When they do, injections help some men, and the inflatable penile implant reliably restores erections when nothing else does.
Diabetes raises the stakes — which is exactly why experience matters
There is no point pretending otherwise: diabetes raises the risk of infection and complications after implant surgery, and the published literature is clear on that. That is an argument for choosing a high-volume surgeon with a disciplined protocol — not a reason to avoid surgery. Nearly 4 in 10 of the men Dr. Gheiler implants are diabetic, many with advanced or poorly controlled diabetes, and he performs 400+ inflatable implant procedures a year. The higher-risk diabetic patient is not the exception in his practice — he is routine.
Across more than 1,200 primary implants, Dr. Gheiler’s reported infection rate stays low even though his practice skews diabetic — and in his own experience to date, his diabetic patients have not had a higher infection rate than his non-diabetic patients. Diabetes still raises risk in general and individual results vary, but in experienced hands, diabetic men do well. See our outcomes and safety page for the numbers and how they are independently measured.
How we keep diabetic surgery safe
Dr. Gheiler uses an antibiotic-coated AMS 700 device (InhibiZone), full systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, and a fixed sterile protocol on every case, with his Concealed-Scar Scrotal Technique™ completed efficiently to limit operative time — all of which matter most in higher-risk patients. He also reviews your diabetes control before surgery and will tell you honestly if getting your blood sugar in better shape first would make your operation safer.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and is not a promise of any particular outcome. Diabetes increases surgical risk; individual results and risks depend on your health and diabetes control. Discuss your specific case with your urologist.
Frequently asked questions
Can a diabetic man get a penile implant?
Yes — diabetic men are among the most common penile implant patients, because diabetes is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction that eventually stops responding to pills. Nearly 40% of Dr. Gheiler’s implant patients are diabetic. He evaluates your overall health and diabetes control and explains what to expect before recommending surgery.
Is a penile implant safe if I have diabetes?
Diabetes does raise the risk of infection and complications after implant surgery — which is exactly why choosing a high-volume surgeon with a strict infection-prevention protocol matters. Dr. Gheiler performs more than 400 implants a year in a practice weighted toward diabetic men, using an antibiotic-coated device and a fixed sterile protocol. No surgery is risk-free, and he discusses your specific risk honestly.
My A1c is high — can I still have the surgery?
Sometimes it is safer to improve your blood-sugar control first, and sometimes surgery is reasonable as it is — it depends on your numbers and your situation. Dr. Gheiler reviews your recent A1c before surgery and tells you honestly whether tightening control first would lower your risk.
Do diabetics have a higher infection risk with penile implants?
Yes. Published studies identify diabetes as a risk factor for penile implant infection. That does not mean diabetic men should avoid implants — it means the surgeon’s experience, technique, and infection-prevention protocol matter more. Dr. Gheiler operates on diabetic men routinely and tracks his outcomes closely.
Diabetic and struggling with ED?
Request a confidential consultation with Dr. Gheiler. English · Spanish · Hebrew.
Call (305) 822-7227
