Peyronie's Surgery Success Stories - Improvements in Curvature and Function

Understanding Peyronie's Disease

Peyronies disease is a condition that causes curvature or indentations in the penis that can make sexual intercourse difficult or painful. It is caused by scar tissue, called plaque, that forms inside the penis. This plaque builds up over time and causes the penis to bend or dent during erections.

The plaque prevents the penis from expanding properly and can cause painful erections. In some cases, it may lead to erectile dysfunction. The exact cause of Peyronies disease is unknown, but it is thought to be due to repetitive minor trauma or injury to the penis that causes internal bleeding and scar tissue formation.

Common symptoms of Peyronies disease include:

• A significant curve or bend in the penis during erection
• Narrowing or indentation along the shaft
• Pain or discomfort during intercourse
• Shortened penis from scar tissue
• Erectile dysfunction in some cases

Peyronies often develops slowly and progresses gradually. Younger men tend to experience more rapid progression while plaque in older men is less likely to worsen significantly. Mild cases may resolve on their own, while severe curvature often requires treatment.

Medical and Surgical Treatment Options

Several medical and surgical treatment options exist for Peyronies disease including:

• Oral medications - Drugs like pentoxifylline aim to soften scar tissue and reduce inflammation.
• Injections - Verapamil or interferon shots directly into the plaque may help break up scar tissue.
• Vacuum devices - Use of a vacuum erection device helps stretch the penis to prevent further bending.
• Penile traction - Devices gently stretch the penis over time to help straighten curvature.
• Surgery - Severe cases may require surgical reconstruction or implants.

The most effective treatment depends on factors like the severity of curvature, presence of pain, and impact on sexual function. Milder cases can often be treated with non-invasive options before considering surgery.

Peyronies Surgery Overview

For patients with severe penile curvature that does not respond to other therapies, surgery is the only effective treatment option. The main goal of surgery is to straighten the penis and enable normal sexual functioning.

There are several types of surgery that may be performed for Peyronies disease:

Plication Surgery

This involves pinching or removing small pieces of tissue from the side of the penis with more scar tissue. This evens out the curve and leaves an overall straighter penis without length loss.

Grafting

Grafting uses tissue patches to replace the scarred area causing curvature. Common grafts come from a vein, skin, or cadaver tissue. This adds girth and length.

Implants

If significant erectile dysfunction is also present, a penile implant (inflatable rods or flexible wires) may be inserted during surgery to allow erections.

Combined Techniques

Some patients require a combination of procedures such as plication plus grafting or an implant combined with reconstruction.

The specific technique depends on factors like the degree of bending, overall penile length and girth, and quality of erections. The surgeon will determine the best surgical approach for optimal straightness and sexual functioning.

What to Expect With Peyronies Surgery

If nonsurgical treatments fail and your doctor recommends surgery, here is what you can generally expect as a patient:

Preparing for Surgery

• Evaluation and clinical testing to plan procedure
• Review risks, benefits, and recovery expectations
• Cease anti-inflammatory drugs several weeks prior
• Arrange a ride home post-surgery

The Operation

• Outpatient procedure under general anesthesia lasting 1-3 hours
• Incisions made into the penis to access scar tissue
• Reconstruction performed with grafting and/or plication techniques
• Implant placed if treating erectile dysfunction also
• Incisions closed with stitches and dressings applied

Recovery Process

• Hospital stay up to 1 day; return home with medications
• Take it very easy for 1-2 weeks to allow proper healing
• Swelling, bruising, and mild pain manageable with meds
• Refrain from sexual activity for 4-6 weeks minimum
• Expect complete healing within 6 months in most cases

Following all post-op instructions carefully allows the best surgical results and outcome. Most patients see a significant improvement in curvature, function, and pain after surgery.

Risks and Complications

While usually safe and effective when performed by an experienced specialist, Peyronies surgery does carry risks of potential complications:

• Reoccurrence of scar tissue and bending
• Penile shortening or other deformities
• Numbness and nerve damage
• Infection of incisions
• Problems with implanted devices
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Inability to engage in intercourse despite correction

Choosing a high-volume surgeon who specializes in Peyronies surgery can minimize risks. Being educated on potential complications and having realistic expectations of outcomes is also important.

Peyronie's Surgery Success Stories

Despite risks, the majority of men who undergo surgery for Peyronies disease report favorable results and improvement in symptoms. Here are some success stories from real patients.

Mark's Story

Mark started noticing a curve during erections after a minor penile injury in his 40s. Over time, the curvature worsened making sex uncomfortable and difficult.

After 24 months of worsening deformity despite traction and injections, Mark opted for surgery performed by a specialist. The surgeon used a combination of plaque incision, plication, and grafting techniques.

After surgery, Mark experienced swelling and discomfort for several weeks but no serious complications. At 5 months post-op, his curvature was reduced by an estimated 80% and intercourse was much improved. Mark was glad he went the surgical route after exhausting other options.

Alex's Experience

Alex struggled with Peyronies for 3 years before pursuing surgery. The plaque caused a 60 degree upward curve making penetration nearly impossible.

He underwent a multi-step procedure to remove extensive plaque buildup followed by grafting. After initial discomfort, Alex saw a dramatic improvement in curvature and function within 4 months of surgery.

While Alex dealt with some numbness and erectile dysfunction post-op, he was pleased with the overall straighter, normal looking appearance. Oral ED meds restored sexual functioning to near pre-operative levels after several months.

Steve's Outcome

At just 33, Steve had a severe case of Peyronies with two large indentations causing extreme pain with erections. Verapamil injections proved ineffective after 9 months.

Steve had surgery involving incision, plication and multiple grafting procedures. Recovery took 3 difficult months of swelling, bruising and complete impotence.

After 6 months Steve's curvature was reduced about 70% though some minor dents remained. His pain was gone and erections substantially improved. Steve regained confidence and sexual fulfillment despite wishing some indentations could have been better corrected.

Key Factors in Peyronie's Surgery Success

What contributes to optimal surgical outcomes in patients like Mark, Alex and Steve? Here are key factors that improve success rates:

Experienced Surgeon

Having an experienced, high-volume surgeon performing the operation reduces risks and enhances results. Choose a specialist with proven Peyronies expertise.

Multi-Modal Approach

Combining techniques like plaque removal, plication, grafting and implants in one surgery improves straightness and function more than a single method alone.

Realistic Expectations

Understanding potential complications and knowing severe cases may only see 60-80% improvement sets realistic goals for a successful outcome.

Following Post-Op Instructions

Strictly adhering to all post-op directions for rest, icing, medications and activity precautions is vital for proper healing after surgery.

Patience

Allowing at least 6 months for full recovery and remodeling gives surgery the greatest chance for success.

Finding a Surgeon for Peyronie's Repair

Choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important factors in achieving optimal results from Peyronies surgery. Here are tips on finding a specialist:

• Look for urologists or reconstructive surgeons with proven expertise in Peyronies specifically.
• Check their experience and background - a high volume of surgeries yields better results.
• Read reviews and seek referrals to find skilled, reputable surgeons.
• Look for up-to-date surgical techniques - grafting and implants may improve outcomes.
• Meet with potential doctors to establish rapport and comfortability.
• Ask questions on their approach, expected outcomes and handling of complications.

Putting in the effort to vet surgeons thoroughly gives you the greatest chance of successful Peyronies surgery.

Takeaways on Peyronie's Surgery

For men with severe, debilitating Peyronies disease, surgery offers the only chance for real improvement in curvature and sexual function. While not without risks, the majority of patients report favorable outcomes from reconstructive surgery in experienced hands.

Combining techniques like plication and grafting performed by a top specialist allows for the best results. Having realistic expectations for about 70% improvement is important.

While full elimination of plaque and curvature is unlikely, surgery can restore satisfactory erection quality and appearance for most men. Committing to post-op care and allowing plenty of recovery time also improves success rates.

Even with residual curvature, successful surgery can bring renewed confidence, comfort and capability to engage in intercourse after battling Peyronies disease.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.