Penis Enlargement

Many of us are often afraid to talk about so called “embarrassing areas”; hence why one of the least talked about areas of cosmetic surgery is that available for the male genitalia or penis.

Modern society has become obsessed with the “size matters” argument, leading some men to feel that their penis size is somewhat inadequate, especially in a communal situation of undress such as gym changing room showers or when with a sexual partner; hence tempting them to seek ways of increasing both penile length and girth (width). Due to this preoccupation with penis size, many non-surgical methods are now touted as remedies, with everything from pills to pumps and massage techniques offered as a means of enhancing the penis; but the only really successful way of altering the size and shape of a penis is through surgical procedures.

Very few men actually have a very small penis, known in medical terms as a micropenis, where a stretched flaccid penis is less than 4cm (1.5inches) in length or 7cm (2.5 inches) when erect. This is a very unusual condition, which is normally diagnosed and treated in childhood with testosterone hormones.

Despite being reduced in size, a penis smaller than the average will still function as normal and problems are only noted, often leading to a lack of self-confidence, when with a sexual partner and vaginal penetration is attempted.

Should a man still be concerned about the length or girth of his penis, there are now a range of surgical options available, which can address and hopefully resolve these problems.

The most common methods of enlarging the penis involve lengthening and widening. These techniques can be performed either as separate operations, together in a single surgery.

If you are considering penile augmentation surgery; the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedures. It can’t answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient. Please ask a practitioner about anything you don’t understand.

THE PROCEDURE

Lengthening

Approximately one-third to one-half of the penis is inside the body, where it is attached to the undersurface of the pubic bone by suspensory ligaments. These ligaments make the penis arch under the pubic bone. Surgically releasing these ligaments brings more of the penis outside the body, allowing it to protrude further outward on a straighter path and providing more functional length.

In a lengthening procedure a small incision is made above the base of the penis, and the ligament which suspends it, running from the pubic bone to the top of the penis is cut. This causes the penis to drop forward, thereby lengthening its appearance from the outside by 1 – 2 inches (20 – 50%), although the actual gain will depend from person to person. The ligament is then reattached lower down and a flap of skin, taken from the pubic bone area, is used to cover the new extension, created from bringing the “inner” penis forward. Often dissolvable stitches are used, both internally and on the external cuts, but some surgeons do use normal stitches as well, which will need to be removed after a couple of weeks.

This lengthening operation only affects the non-erect (flaccid) length of the penis, any post-operative erection will remain the same size but the angle of it may be slightly lower than it was prior to surgery.

Enlarging

Your first discussion with a surgeon should clearly set out your expectations and whether the operation can give you the results you desire.

To enlarge or increase the girth of the penis, a small liposuction procedure is required first to obtain fat from the abdomen or thighs that can be transferred to the penis by injection. As the fat is injected into the penis, it avoids incision scars and reduces the recovery time required.

The penis can usually be increased in girth or circumference by 1 – 2 inches (30 – 50%). The enlargement will be visible in both flaccid and erect states.

Careful discussions regarding the reasons for wanting penile surgery and your suitability for this type of surgery are very important at this stage. Make sure that you obtain as much information as is necessary to enable you to make a fully informed choice and make sure you receive satisfactory answers to all your questions.

A medical history should also be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have this operation. You would normally be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with penile surgery.

Photographs will also be taken as a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

The surgeon may also wish to write to your GP, if you give a written consent, giving details of the operation so that if there are any problems associated with surgery in the short or long-term your doctor is aware of the procedure and can help you to recover.

Anaesthesia

Penile surgery is usually performed under local anesthetic with IV sedation, meaning that you are conscious but in a reduced state of awareness and will feel no pain, but it can also be carried out under a general anesthesia.

Please take into account that a general anesthetic carries more potential risks – this should be clearly explained by the surgeon before you make any decisions about the anesthetic. Types of anesthesia available should always be discussed with your surgeon.

The operation

If you make a decision to go ahead with penile surgery, the actual procedure may take place in an outpatient surgical clinic where you can go home the same day.

The penoplasty operation(s) usually takes about 2 hours, depending on whether you have the lengthening or enlargement procedures on their own or both.

The genital area will also require shaving prior to any of the procedures.

Repeat Treatments

With the enlargement procedure there is a risk that the body will reabsorb some of the fat injected into the penis, in fact as much as 30% of the injected fat can be reabsorbed in the first few months. For this reason, surgeons will overfill a little at the point of transfer so that the shaft is just slightly wider than the tip.

If required, top-up fat procedures can be carried out after 6 months. Final results can be long lasting. It may be necessary to have a circumcision performed after lengthening and/or enlargement procedures, as this avoids swelling of the foreskin, which can last for several weeks.

Both lengthening and widening the penis through plastic surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, either at a hospital or in a private surgical facility, using a combination of anesthetic techniques that assure a painless surgical experience.

RISKS & RESULTS

While penis enlargement surgery is safe and effective, there are risks involved. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough consultation with an accredited plastic surgeon about the possible complications of penile enlargement surgery, which may include bruising, bleeding, swelling, skin incision separation, infection, loss of the erect upward angle of the penis, loss of thickness, detachment of the graft or failure of the graft to take, nerve injury or erectile dysfunction. Further surgery may be needed to correct some of these complications.

Some men may achieve length gains up to two inches in the flaccid state, but the average gain is approximately an inch. With erection, there is usually a slightly smaller length increase.

Penis enlargement surgery is permanent; however, some patients develop scar tissue, which somewhat reduces the length. Injections, medication or topical agents often can remedy the situation. Men who desire additional widening may choose to repeat the procedure.

You will receive a booklet with extensive information about the procedure and it is mandatory that you carefully read it. In your consent form you will be asked to state that you have understood all risks complications of this surgery. Therefore, full comprehension of the booklet is necessary for the surgery to proceed.