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Penile Shortening After Urethroplasty?
Greetings All,
It's three weeks after my excision primary anastomosis urethroplasty to correct a stricture in the bulbar urethra. I'm unsure of the stricture's exact length -- when I phoned to ask, I was told it wasn't included in the surgical notes -- but it was estimated 1.5-2.0 cm.
The reason I'm writing is that I've noticed a pronounced penile shortening, or rather a reduced erectile length, and am wondering about others' experiences. Has anyone else had this? Or, was your erectile length always the same? I'd say my erectile length is only at best about 50-60% of what it was before surgery. I'm hoping others have seen this and that the issue resolved fully in time.
When I asked one of my doctors about this over the phone, he reminded me that he warned of possible erectile dysfunction for up to six months after surgery. ED to me means difficulty attaining or maintaining an erection, not penile shortening (!), but I guess that's beside the point. The doctor added that the catheter prevents full erection, which I can accept, but the catheter is out now and I see no improvement. He assured me that I should return to normal in time and emphasized that I'm not achieving a full erection because that my penis underwent significant trauma.
The doctor also said that he's never seen erectile shortening with the type of surgery and stricture length I had, but I'm seeing medical surveys online showing 22-25% incidence of penile shortening after the same operation and stricture size. I don't doubt my physicians, but am just struggling to reconcile apparently conflicting information.
I specifically asked my doctors before the surgery multiple times about possible complications and cosmetic outcomes and never once was possible penile shortening mentioned. Stroke, heart attack and death were mentioned as risks during surgery and failure, recurrence, and ED were mentioned as possible side effects of the procedure. Also, scars at the incision site, of course.
I plan to ask my doctors again at a follow-up if the condition doesn't improve, but in the meantime, I would really appreciate any insight others can share.
Erectile length probably shouldn't matter if the surgery is otherwise successful, but I would've preferred at the very least a warning about the risk of shortening -- even if temporary -- so I could've at least psychologically prepared for the possibility or perhaps opted for another treatment.
I'm really hoping someone out there can confirm this reduced erection length is normal and temporary.
As a 32-year old single guy who wasn't overly thrilled with my length before, cutting it in half is not an idea I relish, to say the least. :/ Hope you can understand.
Thanks very much for reading and especially for sharing any insights. I searched the boards to see if this has been discussed before and didn't turn up anything, sorry if I just missed it.
It's three weeks after my excision primary anastomosis urethroplasty to correct a stricture in the bulbar urethra. I'm unsure of the stricture's exact length -- when I phoned to ask, I was told it wasn't included in the surgical notes -- but it was estimated 1.5-2.0 cm.
The reason I'm writing is that I've noticed a pronounced penile shortening, or rather a reduced erectile length, and am wondering about others' experiences. Has anyone else had this? Or, was your erectile length always the same? I'd say my erectile length is only at best about 50-60% of what it was before surgery. I'm hoping others have seen this and that the issue resolved fully in time.
When I asked one of my doctors about this over the phone, he reminded me that he warned of possible erectile dysfunction for up to six months after surgery. ED to me means difficulty attaining or maintaining an erection, not penile shortening (!), but I guess that's beside the point. The doctor added that the catheter prevents full erection, which I can accept, but the catheter is out now and I see no improvement. He assured me that I should return to normal in time and emphasized that I'm not achieving a full erection because that my penis underwent significant trauma.
The doctor also said that he's never seen erectile shortening with the type of surgery and stricture length I had, but I'm seeing medical surveys online showing 22-25% incidence of penile shortening after the same operation and stricture size. I don't doubt my physicians, but am just struggling to reconcile apparently conflicting information.
I specifically asked my doctors before the surgery multiple times about possible complications and cosmetic outcomes and never once was possible penile shortening mentioned. Stroke, heart attack and death were mentioned as risks during surgery and failure, recurrence, and ED were mentioned as possible side effects of the procedure. Also, scars at the incision site, of course.
I plan to ask my doctors again at a follow-up if the condition doesn't improve, but in the meantime, I would really appreciate any insight others can share.
Erectile length probably shouldn't matter if the surgery is otherwise successful, but I would've preferred at the very least a warning about the risk of shortening -- even if temporary -- so I could've at least psychologically prepared for the possibility or perhaps opted for another treatment.
I'm really hoping someone out there can confirm this reduced erection length is normal and temporary.
As a 32-year old single guy who wasn't overly thrilled with my length before, cutting it in half is not an idea I relish, to say the least. :/ Hope you can understand.
Thanks very much for reading and especially for sharing any insights. I searched the boards to see if this has been discussed before and didn't turn up anything, sorry if I just missed it.
I had my surgery 8 days ago and still have the catheter inside. My biggest worry was having an erection during sleep as I thought this would cause stretching and pain to the surgical area. It wasn't until about 4-5 days after surgery I got my first erection during sleep. I want to tell you I am a bit squeemish and don't like looking or feeling around the area that was worked on. So while in sleep during the erection everything became very tight and seems to be very hard. I want to tell my normal erection was at least 6 inches and now seems to be zero inches. In flaccid state the penis stays below the surface and during sleep erections, the penis is still below the surface. Now I'm not going to stretch it while it's flaccid when the catheter is still in but I hope things will be normal. I can't imagine a half inch to 3/4 inch surgery would reduce my penis by a whole 6 inches. My catheter will stay in for 24 days. I will post follow ups.
2 Comments
This is an update and it has been 13 months since my surgery. Over time my penis kept getting longer as it was healing. However I can tell you that I lost about 1 1/2 inches of my original length, maybe more. Erections are a little painful. I don't know where the other inch and a half went to. My guess is that somehow they restricted it by stitching it in or the tissue implant does not stretch like the original tissue.
Any improvements on the situation? Did you get back the 1.5 inches? Im 7 months in to healing and having the same issue
Dr. Kulkarni is a well known expert in urethroplasty surgeon in Pune you can for sure consult him. In Bangalore you can Visit Fortis Hospital and meet Dr. Mohan Keshava Murthy
Helo guys.... I am from india and suffering from urethral strictures... I am just 23 and don't know how to deal with this problem...... Anyone here from india who knows a well qualified and experienced urologist who can perform a urethroplasty in india?
Thank you for your post. I will be having urethroplasty sometime this year. I go back in April. I had 5 UTI and I have another this year. The doctor said the only way to get rid of the UTI are to have by stricture taking out. Its just before the sphincter muscle. They found it when I was in the hospital they try to catheter me and could not get it in the bladder. It was a ordeal. They nurses never said a word to me. even after I ask what was going on they just took my pants off and stuff a stuff a catheter in me. It happen so fast. I have been having the same kind of problems like you. Sperm does not shoot out anymore it leaks out. And I have dry orgasms to. it go backwards. At 59 I should not worry about it but like to have fun once in a while. I'm going to talk to the doctor about a oral graft. Thanks for the information. Good luck with the baby.. Have a few more....I have 3.
Hello First of all have you talk to a doctor. What does he say. I'm 59 and I had my kids all ready. After reading all the problems I don't know. I have a urethral stricture just before the uriary sphincter muscle. I still like sex any kind. Had 5 UTI's last year and 1 this year all ready. My doctor said that a uethroplasty is the only way to get rid of them With all the problems I don't know Please talk to a good doctor before you decide anything
This thread has been so helpful! I have had urethral strictures most of my life (17-49) with two urethral dilutions followed (3 weeks ago) by urethroplasty. I have had 2-6 erections per night since the surgery that are painful and have the wrong angle - 60 degrees south instead of 45 degrees north. I was told the angle might change but had no idea it would be this bad. I told my wife about the reports of shortening (I haven't measured) and she said well that would actually be a good thing ;) But the angle is unworkable and I found this thread trying to learn whether angles change with time or can be altered. I was excited to hear that there is such a thing as anti-boner medication and wish my doctor (supposedly the best in the state at urethroplasty) had given me some.
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And for your question; my erections are only about 60-70% of what they were before surgery, i sometimes am able to flex the slightest bit now, but hardly at all. It's as if it doesnt have it in it anymore. I too am a bit worried about this one, i mean im only 18 years old! Wish my doctor had warned me about this. I wasnt to thrilled with my size before either. Now im almost embarressed! I go back for a checkup in 1 1/2 months. i will ask him about this then, and keep you posted if the asnwer is any different than what you had been told. On the bright side, the flow is stronger than ever! Hope you have a speedy and full recovery too!