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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.
Thanks for posting a comment, alzak, I'm really glad to know you found it informative. I hope you're healing well and I wish you full recovery. Happy holidays!
Hey JohnnysQ, sorry to hear about your accident, surgery, and not-so-fun side effects. I hope they're getting better. Thank you for sharing, I know it's helpful for me to hear others' experiences, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Wishing you a complete recovery and happy holidays!
I have had a similar experience. I am 60 years old, and my wife and I agree that I have lost about 2 inches of length! That is substantial, and it is making sex difficult. A certain amount of length is necessary to fully penetrate the vagina and be able to move back and forth without coming out. It is still fairly soon after the surgery (6 weeks), so maybe this will improve, but it sounds like most people are not experiencing any improvement. Additionally, my "erect" penis does not point up, but out, so it is very uncomfortable when pressing against sheets, pajamas, or clothing.
And, like you, I was not told that this was a possible complications, though I asked.
And, like you, I was not told that this was a possible complications, though I asked.
I have had a similar experience. I am 60 years old, and my wife and I agree that I have lost about 2 inches of length! That is substantial, and it is making sex difficult. A certain amount of length is necessary to fully penetrate the vagina and be able to move back and forth without coming out. It is still fairly soon after the surgery (6 weeks), so maybe this will improve, but it sounds like most people are not experiencing any improvement. Additionally, my "erect" penis does not point up, but out, so it is very uncomfortable when pressing against sheets, pajamas, or clothing.
And, like you, I was not told that this was a possible complications, though I asked.
And, like you, I was not told that this was a possible complications, though I asked.
Hey Brian! Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that and I do hope you see some improvement with time. I encourage you to press your doctor about this issue in your follow-ups. I can't believe that doctors are not counseling patients better about this possible complication beforehand, even when we ask, like you and I did! Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe if other patients and doctors see these postings, patient education and expectation management can improve. Wish you an improved recovery and all the best.
I HAD MY OP 2 WEEKS AGO ,the op where they take skin out your mouth, HURTS LIKE HELL WHEN HARD .POINTS OUT INSTEAD OF UP, I ALSO LOST ABOUT 2INCH , CAN WE SUE AS 2INCH A BIT CHUNK . AT LEAST IT GOES UP haha!! but very uncomfy ,hurts like hell my surgeon did not mention shorten penis size WTF
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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!