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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.
Hi! It's better to get your stricture fixed asap as with time you may have various complications and recurrent infections (uti). Stil it's up to you. Does it somehow affect your life (pains, low flow, infections, prostatitis and so on)?
Hey guys i am 18 and wondering if i should get a Urethroplasty? I can pee relatively normal just my stream isn't great. Should i wait until after i get married and have kids? Anything would help thanks guys.
Also my doc recommended using vacuum erector device to stretch the penis as it helps a lot to stretch the urethra. You may do it two months after surgery (15 minutes, twice a day). In some cases penile extender may be used, but you should do it very carefully not to damage the urethra (better to consult your doc).
Hi all! I'm from Russia and had urethroplasty done about 5 years ago when I was 30 (the urethra was badly injured by a catheter in Moscow). I had a long stricture about 15 cm from bulbar section to penile included.
I underwent the surgery on march 2010. In fact, the doctor decided on a combined method - the penile urethra was mended by penile graft and the bulbar urethra by buccal graft. I went to Israel for that and met a very trained and experienced doc. He is a professor and the Head of Urology Department in Jerusalem Clinic. His name is Professor Ofer Z Shenfeld. By this time he's done over 1000 urethroplasties and though he confessed that every case is quite complicated, no matter, whether a patient had a short stricture or a long one, I should say that he did an excellent job regarding my case (though now in five years after I have a small restricture about 1 cm in the bulbar part).
Right after the surgery that had lasted about 9 hours I had no much pain anywhere, but in my mouth. I was taken home on the 5th day. I should say that the most annoying thing was the night erections and orgasm with the sperm leaking out while the catheter was in - I couldn't sleep at nights.
The numbness in the scrotum didn't trouble me much. After I was relieved from the two catheters I started urinating very well, but one thing I was worried about is my penile length - in fact it was half length while erected as compared to the length before the surgery. But be sure, that in several months you'll have exactly the same length as you used to have before (the doc also said that end-to-end may shorten the length for the rest of life, but oral graft urethroplasty is most unlikely to affect the length). At least, in my case. Everything came back - the length, the angle. The quality of my sexual life is the same as compared to it before the op. By the way, my girfriend is now pregnant, so it doesn't affect fertility. But one thing I miss very much - the sperm only leaks out when I have orgasm. Still I got used to it. Now I'm scheduled for another urethroplasty to fix my small restricture in the bulbar urethra, but not afraid of it as I trust my professor and know him to be very efficient.
He also said before the op that these kind of surgeries should not affect your phisycal erections for better or for worse, at least in case of anterior urethroplasty.
Hope, I somehow helped you sharing my experience.
Be well.
I underwent the surgery on march 2010. In fact, the doctor decided on a combined method - the penile urethra was mended by penile graft and the bulbar urethra by buccal graft. I went to Israel for that and met a very trained and experienced doc. He is a professor and the Head of Urology Department in Jerusalem Clinic. His name is Professor Ofer Z Shenfeld. By this time he's done over 1000 urethroplasties and though he confessed that every case is quite complicated, no matter, whether a patient had a short stricture or a long one, I should say that he did an excellent job regarding my case (though now in five years after I have a small restricture about 1 cm in the bulbar part).
Right after the surgery that had lasted about 9 hours I had no much pain anywhere, but in my mouth. I was taken home on the 5th day. I should say that the most annoying thing was the night erections and orgasm with the sperm leaking out while the catheter was in - I couldn't sleep at nights.
The numbness in the scrotum didn't trouble me much. After I was relieved from the two catheters I started urinating very well, but one thing I was worried about is my penile length - in fact it was half length while erected as compared to the length before the surgery. But be sure, that in several months you'll have exactly the same length as you used to have before (the doc also said that end-to-end may shorten the length for the rest of life, but oral graft urethroplasty is most unlikely to affect the length). At least, in my case. Everything came back - the length, the angle. The quality of my sexual life is the same as compared to it before the op. By the way, my girfriend is now pregnant, so it doesn't affect fertility. But one thing I miss very much - the sperm only leaks out when I have orgasm. Still I got used to it. Now I'm scheduled for another urethroplasty to fix my small restricture in the bulbar urethra, but not afraid of it as I trust my professor and know him to be very efficient.
He also said before the op that these kind of surgeries should not affect your phisycal erections for better or for worse, at least in case of anterior urethroplasty.
Hope, I somehow helped you sharing my experience.
Be well.
1 Comments
Hey Innuendo91,
Thanks for your post, it gives me hope that erections will return to normal. I was wondering, however - you said in several months things will go back to normal - how long exactly did it take for you? It has been 3 months now for me without much improvement
Thanks for your post, it gives me hope that erections will return to normal. I was wondering, however - you said in several months things will go back to normal - how long exactly did it take for you? It has been 3 months now for me without much improvement
Hello,
My name is Lee and I’m from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a 28 year old male who has recently had a urethroplasty with buccal graft (almost 4 weeks ago). I thought I might share my pre-op experience with those who are interested with the pro’s/con’s etc.
Roughly 6 months ago, I had UTI (my 3rd one) and my wife encouraged me to see a urologist. I was also having some weird things like constant nightly urinations, a very weak stream, and trouble draining my bladder. I must admit, I was nervous going in to see a specialist, as I was expecting they might find something life-threatening. A cat scan revealed my kidneys were very swollen and my bladder looked unhealthy and distended. Further, a cystoscopy revealed that I had massive scar tissue build up. This was I guess something I was born with. So the decision was made that I would need a urethroplasty with a buccal graft. However, before they could perform the procedure, they needed to put a SP catheter in to reduce the swelling in my kidneys an return my bladder to normal shape.
The Supra-Pubic Catheter:
I had the SP Catheter for 6 weeks before my operation. I would recommend anesthesia when inserting the SP catheter, I made the mistake of being awake and doing it in my doctors office. I had very painful bladder spasms in the beginning and was in bed for a few days. Once I had the SP tube changed (2-3 weeks later) to a silicone one, it became more comfortable and felt some what ‘normal’. A couple times my tube became clogged and I needed to rush to the hospital and get it unclogged. I must stress the importance of drinking a lot of water to avoid those kinds of problems. I was also able to continue a healthy sexual life style with this catheter, which was a big plus.
The urethroplasty with buccal graft:
On August 7th I had my surgery. I was obviously nervous, as the incision was going to be in the area between my anus and testicles. When I woke from surgery, I was a bit nauseous. The pain at the incision site was actually fairly dull, however, my mouth was in a TON of pain. I also had the addition of a Foley Catheter, so I was now sporting two catheters. I spent two nights in the hospital. Between the morphine and the painkillers, I was fairly comfortable. When I left the hospital, I was worried about having two catheters, but it really wasn’t that bad. Most the pain I had really stemmed from my mouth. I was given antibiotics, Vicodin, a Stool Softener, and an anti-boner pill for night-time. After three weeks, they took the Foley out. For a week now I have been peeing on my own (my stream is like a pressure washer- my confidence has been totally boosted. Peeing at first was a bit uncomfortable for a few days. My testicals were swollen after surgery which I was not expecting, however, eventually the swelling reduced (about 1-2 weeks). My SP catheter is pinched off and they say I will have it for another week (mostly there as a precaution). I have not been allowed to have sex yet, my doctor plans on talking to me about it next week when he takes out my SP. I do get a nightly erection now and then which can be sometimes kind of painful. Also, I can still feel a little tingling down by my incision site. Hopefully I will be able to resume physical and sexual activity soon. I will update next week (week 5).
My name is Lee and I’m from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a 28 year old male who has recently had a urethroplasty with buccal graft (almost 4 weeks ago). I thought I might share my pre-op experience with those who are interested with the pro’s/con’s etc.
Roughly 6 months ago, I had UTI (my 3rd one) and my wife encouraged me to see a urologist. I was also having some weird things like constant nightly urinations, a very weak stream, and trouble draining my bladder. I must admit, I was nervous going in to see a specialist, as I was expecting they might find something life-threatening. A cat scan revealed my kidneys were very swollen and my bladder looked unhealthy and distended. Further, a cystoscopy revealed that I had massive scar tissue build up. This was I guess something I was born with. So the decision was made that I would need a urethroplasty with a buccal graft. However, before they could perform the procedure, they needed to put a SP catheter in to reduce the swelling in my kidneys an return my bladder to normal shape.
The Supra-Pubic Catheter:
I had the SP Catheter for 6 weeks before my operation. I would recommend anesthesia when inserting the SP catheter, I made the mistake of being awake and doing it in my doctors office. I had very painful bladder spasms in the beginning and was in bed for a few days. Once I had the SP tube changed (2-3 weeks later) to a silicone one, it became more comfortable and felt some what ‘normal’. A couple times my tube became clogged and I needed to rush to the hospital and get it unclogged. I must stress the importance of drinking a lot of water to avoid those kinds of problems. I was also able to continue a healthy sexual life style with this catheter, which was a big plus.
The urethroplasty with buccal graft:
On August 7th I had my surgery. I was obviously nervous, as the incision was going to be in the area between my anus and testicles. When I woke from surgery, I was a bit nauseous. The pain at the incision site was actually fairly dull, however, my mouth was in a TON of pain. I also had the addition of a Foley Catheter, so I was now sporting two catheters. I spent two nights in the hospital. Between the morphine and the painkillers, I was fairly comfortable. When I left the hospital, I was worried about having two catheters, but it really wasn’t that bad. Most the pain I had really stemmed from my mouth. I was given antibiotics, Vicodin, a Stool Softener, and an anti-boner pill for night-time. After three weeks, they took the Foley out. For a week now I have been peeing on my own (my stream is like a pressure washer- my confidence has been totally boosted. Peeing at first was a bit uncomfortable for a few days. My testicals were swollen after surgery which I was not expecting, however, eventually the swelling reduced (about 1-2 weeks). My SP catheter is pinched off and they say I will have it for another week (mostly there as a precaution). I have not been allowed to have sex yet, my doctor plans on talking to me about it next week when he takes out my SP. I do get a nightly erection now and then which can be sometimes kind of painful. Also, I can still feel a little tingling down by my incision site. Hopefully I will be able to resume physical and sexual activity soon. I will update next week (week 5).
I thought it best for me to share my experience with a urethroplasty. I like most of you had a urethroplasty about 8 months ago. Unlike some of you I woke up one morning with an inability to urinate and went to the local emergency room were they punctured my urethra while trying to relieve my full bladder. After several excruciating hours a urologist walked in and saved the day. I was dilated via catheters increasing in size and was told to wait for six weeks. After which they removed the catheters and I was able to pee more so then before. I have no idea what caused the initial problem in the first place but this is where my life got turned upside down.
Before I tell the rest of the story I just want to share my experience I have no idea what any of you should do for your situation. As you will see after reading my situation I chose the wrong path. Any way on with the story. After three months I had lost all my stream and ability to pee. I contacted the same urologist that saved the day impressed by his abilities from the previous nightmare I thought I was in good hands. He did a consult told me of my options and advised me that Erectile dysfunction can occur but very rare so I said lets do the plasty. Recovery was followed by the letter no direct pressure on the incision area. No sex for six weeks. (I waited longer). Let yourself heal or lay low as he put it. I have been in constant pain if I have sex for almost a year. Not one person can figure out what is wrong. I have no infections, the stream is just fine but if I have sex I have burning in my urethra, sometimes bladder, my penis is sore for days afterwards. I am now starting to have erectile dysfunction didnt have it before (could be psychological because I hate sex now) on the account that it is constantly disappointing. And like so many of you not one person told me about penile shortening. I lost an inch or so but the part that upsets me is the pain you can have the inch I want sex without having soreness. I have given up on seeing my doctor because he just tells me it takes time to heal. I think he just dont want to deal with me anymore. I am constantly on pain medications for the pains that come and go. Feelings of being kicked in the balls, sore and painful shaft, burning after sex discomfort. I can deal with most of it but I am so sick of the damn pain and the meds. I wanted to be somewhat normal after this I can accept maybe less than normal but this constant pain *****. If I had a do over I would have done something different. If I lose the ED battle I think I will have a sex change and try that out just kidding. Lastly I wish all of you the best I am not the best person to listen to as far as basing a decision. I also wanted to ask do others have spots of numbness or loss of feeling. There is a quarter size patch on my penis of course on the sensitive side that has little to no feeling. Love to hear your posts wish you all the best.
Before I tell the rest of the story I just want to share my experience I have no idea what any of you should do for your situation. As you will see after reading my situation I chose the wrong path. Any way on with the story. After three months I had lost all my stream and ability to pee. I contacted the same urologist that saved the day impressed by his abilities from the previous nightmare I thought I was in good hands. He did a consult told me of my options and advised me that Erectile dysfunction can occur but very rare so I said lets do the plasty. Recovery was followed by the letter no direct pressure on the incision area. No sex for six weeks. (I waited longer). Let yourself heal or lay low as he put it. I have been in constant pain if I have sex for almost a year. Not one person can figure out what is wrong. I have no infections, the stream is just fine but if I have sex I have burning in my urethra, sometimes bladder, my penis is sore for days afterwards. I am now starting to have erectile dysfunction didnt have it before (could be psychological because I hate sex now) on the account that it is constantly disappointing. And like so many of you not one person told me about penile shortening. I lost an inch or so but the part that upsets me is the pain you can have the inch I want sex without having soreness. I have given up on seeing my doctor because he just tells me it takes time to heal. I think he just dont want to deal with me anymore. I am constantly on pain medications for the pains that come and go. Feelings of being kicked in the balls, sore and painful shaft, burning after sex discomfort. I can deal with most of it but I am so sick of the damn pain and the meds. I wanted to be somewhat normal after this I can accept maybe less than normal but this constant pain *****. If I had a do over I would have done something different. If I lose the ED battle I think I will have a sex change and try that out just kidding. Lastly I wish all of you the best I am not the best person to listen to as far as basing a decision. I also wanted to ask do others have spots of numbness or loss of feeling. There is a quarter size patch on my penis of course on the sensitive side that has little to no feeling. Love to hear your posts wish you all the best.
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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!