Introduction
Penis enlargement surgery encompasses various procedures, including the use of silicon implants, fat transfer, and ligament division. It is not typically medically necessary and may pose complications. While some people may experience success, there is no guarantee of effectiveness, and the procedures come with inherent risks. Typically, individuals who undergo surgery have a healthy and normally functioning penis, making the surgery cosmetic. However, the cost of the procedure can be prohibitive for many people. This article explores the details of penis enlargement surgery, its potential effectiveness and risks, and associated costs.
What Is Penis Enlargement Surgery?
Penis enlargement surgery is a medical procedure aimed at increasing the size of the penis, either in length or girth. This surgery can involve the use of silicone implants, fat transfer, skin grafts, or even cosmetic procedures to create the illusion of a longer penis.
However, a true medical need for penile enlargement is uncommon. Surgery is only required in cases with micropenis, defined as a penis that is 7.5 cm or shorter when extended, according to the Urology Care Foundation (UCF). A normally functioning penis does not require surgery for adequate sexual or urinary function. In fact, a 2020 review found that the majority of individuals seeking penis enlargement treatments already have a penis within the normal and functional range.
What Is the Mechanism of Action for This Procedure?
The following are the distinct methods used in penis enlargement surgery, each with its own procedure.
- Silicone Implants: To increase the length and girth of the penis, penis enlargement surgery can involve the placement of a crescent-shaped medical-grade silicone implant beneath the penile skin. The Penuma procedure is the only FDA-approved commercial penis enlargement surgery under the 510(k) regulation. During this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision above the penis and inserts a silicone sleeve through it onto the shaft. The implant is then shaped to match the size and shape of the penis.
- Fat Transfer: In a fat transfer procedure for penis enlargement, the surgeon extracts fat cells from a fatty region of the body and injects them into the penile shaft. This is accomplished by creating small incisions along the sides of the penis and inserting purified fat cells into these locations.
- Ligament Division Surgery: Ligamentolysis, also known as suspensory ligament division surgery, is a technique that can lengthen the flaccid penis by severing the suspensory ligament. The penis-pubic bone ligament connects the penis to the pubic bone. The surgeon will remove the ligament and relocate the skin from the abdomen to the penile shaft during this treatment. While this may result in a longer, flaccid penis, it does not actually increase its size. Additionally, the surgeon may suggest some operations, such as eliminating fat from the area surrounding the penis, which can give the illusion of a larger penis but not change its length.
- Other Augmentation: There are a few less common types of penis augmentations, including:
- Tissue grafts.
- Injections of hyaluronic acid.
- Injections of polylactic acid.
- Penile disassembly.
Do These Methods Work?
The UCF states that there is very little evidence to support the effectiveness of most penis augmentation methods. The Penuma implant is currently the only FDA-approved surgical procedure for cosmetic penis enlargement. Studies have reported an average increase in girth with high patient satisfaction and improved self-esteem following the procedure.
Some studies suggest that silicone implants may help correct a retractile penis or increase the length and girth of the penis. However, the effectiveness of these procedures is not guaranteed, and patient satisfaction rates for suspensory ligament operations can be low.
Fat transfer procedures may not provide satisfactory results in many cases, as the body may reabsorb or break down much of the injected fat within the first few months. Fat graft volume may also decrease significantly within a year.
Are Penis Enlargement Surgeries Safe?
The safety of penis enlargement procedures is a subject of debate. While the American Urological Association considers fat injections and suspensory ligament division procedures to be unsafe and ineffective, a 2019 study suggests that cosmetic enhancement surgery for the penis is generally safe, and the safety is improving. Nonetheless, the study acknowledges that complications may still arise.
What Are the Risks Associated With These Surgeries?
Each stage of penis enlargement surgery carries some potential risks and possible side effects.
These risks include sexually debilitating penile deformity, extreme shortness, curvature, edema, subcutaneous tumors, infection, non-healing wounds, and sexual dysfunction. Potential side effects of the surgery include:
- Bruising at the operation site.
- Changes in the penis's shape.
- Bleeding at the incision.
- Infection.
- Swelling.
- Temporary loss of sensation in the penis.
- Pain with an erection, and scarring.
A 2018 study on the complications of penis enlargement surgery found that some individuals experienced penis curvature, sexual dysfunction, and non-healing wounds. It is important to note that certain prerequisites must be met before surgery. For instance, a person must have undergone circumcision to be eligible for penis enlargement with silicone implants. Otherwise, they will need to have a circumcision before the procedure.
Potential risks are associated with using anesthesia during surgery, such as allergic reactions, heart rhythm problems, confusion upon waking up from sedation, and awareness during the operation. Individuals with sleep apnea are more likely to have issues during and after surgery because anesthesia can cause the throat to close up, making breathing more difficult after the procedure.
What Is the Duration of the Recovery Period?
According to experts, the recovery time after cosmetic penile enhancement surgery is typically lengthy to ensure proper healing. They suggest refraining from intense physical activity for 30 days and from sexual activity or masturbation for 60 days after the surgery.
What Is the Price of Penis Enlargement Surgery?
The cost of penis enlargement surgery is usually not covered by insurance because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. This means that the person undergoing the procedure must pay for it themselves. Penis enlargement surgery can be costly, with the procedure alone costing thousands of dollars. Additionally, one needs to consider the cost of taking time off work and other activities during the recovery period. However, in certain cases where surgery is necessary to correct conditions that interfere with the function of the penis, insurance may cover the cost.
Conclusion
Penis enlargement surgery may seem like an easy solution to boost confidence or improve sexual performance, but it is a cosmetic procedure that is not medically necessary and comes with inherent risks. The different methods used in penis enlargement surgery, including silicone implants, fat transfer, and ligament division, have varying levels of effectiveness and risks. Patients should be aware of each procedure's possible side effects and complications, including sexual dysfunction and non-healing wounds. Before considering any surgery, individuals must undergo a thorough evaluation to determine whether they meet the prerequisites for surgery and whether it is medically safe for them.
