Penile Implant: Procedure, Risks & Recovery | GetWellGo

Learn about penile implant surgery, risks, and recovery. GetWellGo connects international patients with top urologists and care teams.

Penile Implant: Procedure, Risks & Recovery | GetWellGo

  • Category

    General

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    20-May-2025

Penile Implant Surgery

Penile implant surgery is performed on patients with Erectile Dysfunction to treat it if medications and vacuum treatment were not helpful. During this surgery, a device is put inside the penis so that a man can have intercourse.

Penile Implant Procedure

Penile Implant procedure including pre-op steps, the surgical process, and post-op recovery:

Steps for Penile Implant Surgery:

Pre-Operative Phase

Before surgery:

  • Doctor checks the medical history and looks for signs of erectile dysfunction.
  • Counselling: During this phase, the surgeon explains what is involved and reviews the available types of implants.
  • Blood tests, tests of urine, as well as some images may be used.
  • End Your Blood Thinners: Many times, people are asked to stop the blood thinner aspirin or warfarin or similar drugs, a few days before their upcoming procedure.
  • Antibiotics are given before surgery to prevent the development of an infection.

Surgical Procedure

  • Usually, film screenings take up about 1 to 2 hours.
  • Patient receives an anaesthetic: general or spinal (under regional anaesthesia)

Steps Involved:

  • Incision: Located in the base of the penis, the lower abdomen or the scrotum (depending on what is used).
  • Dissection: Surgeon separates sections of the bodies that form the erectile chambers.

Implant Placement:

Inflatable Implant:

  • Cylinders are inserted into the penis.
  • A pump is placed inside the scrotum.
  • There is a pouch created in the lower abdomen to store fluid.

Malleable Implant:

  • Small rods are put inside the penis on each side.

Closure:

  • The different parts are arranged, and then the incision is sewn closed.
  • A catheter may be used for just a short period.

Bandaging: 

  • A dressing is used to bring down the swelling and keep the wound clean.

Post-Operative Recovery

  • Hospital Discharge: Patients may be released on the same day or spend 1 night in the hospital.
  • For Pain: Patients are given oral pain medication.
  • Antibiotics: Take the medication as instructed, lasting several days after the surgery.
  • In the first two weeks, you may have swelling and bruising.

Restrictions:

  • Avoid any heavy work or strenuous activity for the next four to six weeks.
  • Most men could start engaging sexually again after 6 weeks had passed.

Follow-Up:

  • Visit your child’s doctor within 7–10 days after the jab.
  • The procedure for activating an inflatable device is educated to the patient once the surgery has healed.

Inflatable Penile Implant

When treatments like pills or injections do not work, an inflatable penile implant is the typical surgical procedure for men with ED. With this type, you get an erection that appears natural and you can manage it better than other implants.

What Does the Term Inflatable Penile Implant Mean?

An implant placed inside the penis, scrotum and abdomen to enable a man to experience an erection at any time by pressing the unseen pump.

Two Types of Penile Implants:

Three-Piece Inflatable Implant (Most Popular)

Components:

  • Two inflatable cylinders are placed inside the penis.
  • A buildup of fluid within the belly.
  • There is a pump and release valve in the scrotum.

How it works:

  • Press in the pump at the back of the scrotum to move the fluid to the cylinders → causes an erection.
  • Depress the release valve → blood runs back to the reservoir → the penis gets soft once again.

Pros: Skin is both soft and tight, with the most natural appearance

Disadvantages: The surgery is more complicated.

Two-Piece Inflatable Implant

Components:

  • There are cylinders inside the penis.
  • There is a combined pump and reservoir within the scrotum.

Pros: Minimized surgery time and the absence of an abdominal pouch (helps those who have previous pelvic surgery).

Cons: This implant lacks some of the rigidity and flaccidity seen in the 3-piece collection.

Malleable Penile Implant

Malleable penile implant, known as a semi-rigid implant, used to help men whose treatments for erectile dysfunction such as meds or pumps, have failed. A hormone implant is less complicated than an inflatable one and its effects usually cannot be reversed.

What Is a Malleable Penile Implant?

The implant has two bendable rods that your surgeon will place within the penis. Although the penis is hard, you can still bend it to have sex and then return it to its flaccid state once finished.

Traits of Malleable (Semi-Rigid) Implants

Structure:

  • Erectile chambers are filled when two rods are inserted inside them.
  • The implants are wrapped in silicone or artificial materials.
  • There is no instrument involved; the condition is simply called erectile dysfunction.

Advantages

  • The procedure is shorter and does less damage compared to a hysterectomy.
  • Only one piece → little possibility of mechanical problems.
  • This model is made for men who have limited control of their hands, certain disorders or undergone previous surgery.
  • Recommended for men with a condition called Peyronie’s disease or other severe fibrosis.

Penile Implant Recovery Time

Recovery from penile implant surgery takes four to six weeks. Because different implants are involved and heal at varying rates, times for recovery will be unique for each person.

Recovery Timeline

Day 0-1 (Day of surgery)

  • Stay in the hospital: Usually takes 1 day or the same day.
  • Pain/Swelling: There is moderate pain and swelling found in both the penis and scrotum.
  • Catheter: In some cases, a catheter is placed during surgery and then taken out within 1 day.

Days 2–7

  • Oral painkillers and antibiotics were recommended and prescribed.
  • Mobility: You should not move much and it helps to rest.
  • Swelling/Bruising: A normal part of the process and should, therefore, improve slowly.

Week 2

  • During the follow-up visit, the surgeon checks the wound and could remove the stitches if required.
  • If you have inflatable implants, the pump is not on at this step.
  • Patients can go for light walks at this point.

Week 3–4

  • Less Pain: Majority of men experience significant improvement.
  • Return to Normal Activities: You may begin doing day-to-day tasks that are not too demanding.
  • We haven’t had sex or tried any vigorous activity.

Week 4–6

  • Surgeon shows patients how to run the pump (in 3-piece penile implants).
  • Sexual Activities: Should return to normal sexual activities once the body is completely healed.
  • Final adjustments/checks.

Factors Affecting Penile Implant Cost

Key Factors Affecting Penile Implant Cost:

  • Type of Implant
  • Brand of Implant
  • Surgeon's Experience and Reputation
  • Hospital or Clinic Fees
  • Geographic Location
  • Pre-surgical tests
  • Surgery and Anaesthesia
  • Hospital stay
  • Post-op consultations
  • Medications    

Risks of Penile Implant Surgery

Most urologists agree that penile implant surgery offers safety and reliable results. On the other hand, there are also penile prosthesis complications as any surgical procedure may result in risks and various problems.

Penile implant side effects:

  • Infection
  • Mechanical Malfunction
  • Implant Erosion
  • Implant Migration or Malposition
  • Scar Tissue and Shortening
  • Pain
  • Anaesthesia Risks
  • Device Visibility or Palpability

Success Rate of Penile Implant

The success rate of penile implant surgery is very high, with most men and their partners reporting excellent satisfaction and long-term functional results.

Overall Success Rate:

Surgical success rate: 95–98%

  • Surgery is typically straightforward with rare complications when done by an experienced urologist.

Device survival rate (no need for revision/replacement):

  • 5 years: ~90–95%
  • 10 years: ~75–85%

Patient satisfaction:

  • Malleable implants: ~80–85%
  • Inflatable implants: >90%

Partner satisfaction: ~80–90%
 

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