Does it work? Is it worth it? 

Source: medicalnewstoday.com 

Penis enlargement surgery
Does it work? Is it worth it?

Penis enlargement surgery can involve silicone implants, fat transfer, ligament division, and other procedures. Surgery is rarely necessary in medical terms, and it can entail complications. 

Although penis enlargement surgery may work in some cases, there is no guarantee that it will be effective, and the procedures carry some risks, about which patients must be informed from the start. 

Most people who opt for the surgery have a normal and functional penis, which makes the surgery purely cosmetic. But, as has been known for a long time, in these purely cosmetic cases, the patient has to bear the costs, which, in some cases, can represent a barrier for many patients. 

What is penis enlargement surgery?  

Penis enlargement surgery is a procedure that aims to increase the length or girth of the penis.  

Surgery may involve the insertion of silicone implants, the transfer of fat cells, or the use of skin grafts to increase the size of the penis. Other approaches may take the form of cosmetic surgery to give the appearance of a longer penis.  

The true need for penis enlargement is rare. According to the Urology Care Foundation (UCF), surgery is only necessary if a person has a condition called micropenis. This term describes a penis that is 7.5 centimetres or shorter when stretched.  

A penis that functions adequately for both sexual intercourse and urination does not require surgery. The authors of a 2020 review noted that the majority of those seeking treatments for penis size have a penis within the normal, functioning range. The same researchers attribute this finding to the ill-conceived notion, reinforced by pornography that sexual fulfilment depends on the size of the male phallus. 

How does the procedure work?  

There are a few different procedures for penis enlargement surgery, each of which has its own method. We will discuss each of these procedures below to restore men’s self-confidence. 

Silicone implants 

This type of surgery involves the insertion of a crescent-shaped piece of medical-grade silicone under the penile skin to make the penis longer and wider. 

Currently, the Penuma procedure is the only penis enlargement surgery that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared for commercial use under the 510(k) regulation. 

A surgeon first makes an incision above the penis and then inserts a silicone slip through it onto the shaft of the penis. They will shape the silicone implant to ensure that it fits the size and shape of the penis. 

Fat transfer 

During a fat transfer procedure, the plastic surgeon will remove fat tissue from a larger area of the body and inject it into the shaft of the penis. The surgery is carried out through 2 small incisions in the sides of the penis, where the previously extracted fat will be injected. 

Suspensory ligament division 

Suspensory ligament division surgery, or ligamentolysis, offers a way to make the flaccid penis appear longer by cutting the suspensory ligament. This ligament attaches the penis to the pubic bone. 

During the procedure, the surgeon will sever this ligament and move skin from the abdomen to the shaft of the penis. 

Depending on the needs and particularities of each patient, the specialist doctor may also recommend other procedures, such as the removal of fat from the area around the penis. This can make the penis appear larger, but in reality it does not actually change its length. 

Other augmentations 

Other, less popular augmentations include: 

• tissue grafts 
• hyaluronic acid injections 
• polylactic acid injections 

All these aesthetic procedures dedicated to men…does is work? 

Basically, depending on the method the patient opts for, they have a high success rate. Currently, the Penuma implant is the only cosmetic surgical procedure approved by the FDA to increase penile size. 

A 2018 study showed that the Penuma device (silicone implant) demonstrated an average increase of 56.7% in penile circumference, as well as high patient satisfaction and improved ratings of confidence and self-esteem, even at term long. 

In addition, the Penuma procedure can help treat problems affecting the penis. A 2019 study notes that using a silicone implant helped correct a retractile penis. 

Another 2019 study found that cosmetic penis enlargement using a combination of a silicone spacer and fat transfer provided satisfactory results. The procedure increased the length and girth of the penis and improved its function, even 12 months afterward. 

However, there is no guarantee that penis enlargement surgery will be 100% effective for any patient. 

Penis enlargement by injecting your own fat may not be satisfactory in many cases, because, according to specialists, the body can reabsorb or break down approximately 30% of the injected fat, as early as the first 2 months. A 2017 review suggests that fat grafting can decrease volume by 20-80% within a year. 

The same review also notes that the outcomes for people undergoing suspensory ligament operations are not consistently favourable either. Patient and partner satisfaction rates for this procedure range from 30–65%. 

Is it safe? 

The American Urological Association believes that neither fat injections nor suspensory ligament division procedures are 100% safe, the area being very sensitive and the human body extremely different. 

Even though surgery may seem the most complex, a 2019 study suggests that cosmetic penile enhancement surgery is mostly safe and is becoming safer as technology and surgical techniques evolve.  

Side effects and risk 

Each step of penis enlargement surgery has certain risks, including possible side effects, but these are individual cases. 

A person may experience: 

• bruising at the operation site 
• bruising along the penis 
• changes in the shape of the penis 
• bleeding at the incision 

• infection 
• swelling 
• temporary loss of sensation in the penis 
• pain with erection 
• scarring 

There are also some operative requirements to consider before surgery. For example, the person must already have had a circumcision to undergo enlargement with silicone implants. If not, they will require circumcision before proceeding. 

How long is recovery? 

The typical downtime after surgery is relatively long to ensure that the penis heals correctly. Experts recommend 30 days of no intense physical activity and 60 days of no sexual activity or masturbation after cosmetic penile enhancement surgery. 

How much does it cost? 

In most cases, penis enlargement surgery is a cosmetic procedure. Most insurance policies do not cover cosmetic surgeries such as these, so the person will have to pay out of pocket. 

As a result, penis enlargement surgery can be expensive. Moreover, since we are talking about a surgical intervention, the patient must take into account a short leave, during which to recover after the operation. 

The insurance may cover the surgery if the patient really needs this operation, such as to correct disorders that disrupt the functioning of the penis. 

Frequently asked questions about penis enlargement surgery 

Below are some of the top frequently asked questions about penis enlargement surgery. 

● Does penile lengthening surgery work? 

Urology Care Foundation writes that the only medical reason for penis enlargement surgery is to treat micropenis.  

Individuals should talk to a doctor about the benefits and risks involved, depending on the type of penis enlargement surgery they are considering. 

● How long does it take to recover from penis enlargement surgery? 

The patient can expect a relatively long recovery time after penis enlargement surgery. ResearchTrusted Source suggests that a person should not engage in vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 30 and 60 days, respectively. 

A person should come in for regular check-ups during the recovery period to ensure that the penis is healing properly.