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Posted 8/22/2007 9:31 PM (GMT -8)
Don't know whether I am going nuts or what but my penis seems much smaller that it was before surgery, I know the area has been traumatised, but I can barely get him out past my fly when I pass urine, this was not the case before, researched this and read that sometimes the penile length decreases, and falls back into the space where the prostate was.

Not seeing my uro until 26th September, so I will ask him about it, hopefully when I am properly healed thing will normalise.

Regards Mal.

Posted 8/22/2007 9:56 PM (GMT -8)

Yep... I haven't taken measurements, but I have also read is hope on the horizon for restoration.

 

Some explanation of the shortness may be found here (http://www.doctor4men.com/faq.asp), I copied part of the text below:

 

DECREASE IN PENILE LENGTH

Q After recovering from my radical prostatectomy, I noted an obvious decrease in penile length. In selecting surgery over radiation, I had considered the possible side effects of impotence and incontinence, but not this other outcome. The surgeon says that he "pulled down" on the bladder neck to reconnect it with the urethra after excising the prostate, but it seems to me that the reconnection technique would also likely have a "pulling up" effect on the he urethra with an attendant effect on the external penis. How common is the situation I have described?

A - Shortening of the penis is more common than many surgeons admit to after radical prostatectomy (RP). I have had many patients tell me that their penis is shorter after RP. The reasons are not fully understood but I can think of two possibilities. First, the lower part of the incision for RP is close to the base of the penis and natural scar tissue with healing may "trap" more of the penis below the skin. Second, the re-hook-up of the urethra tube to the bladder may shorten the urethra and not allow the erect penis to be as long. Other possibilities are that the nerve supply to the penis is affected and general "tone"" of the penis is more flacid because it is not storing as much blood as before the operation. Despite this side effect, the benefit of RP as a curative treatment for early stage prostate cancer is becoming clear. The Johns Hopkins Hospital recently reported (JAMA, 281; 1591, 1999) results of almost 2000 men who had RP between 1982 and 1997. There was an 82% chance of 15-year survival free of metastases (spread).
Furthermore, as men are getting screened more, we are picking up early stage cancer that is easier to treat and the odds of side effects such as impotence; incontinence and penile shortening are less.

Hope this helps!

Idaho

Posted 8/23/2007 4:46 AM (GMT -8)
 

  Shortening is a hypoxia issue, Try 3 things.

  Using a pump for rehab 4-5 days a week should help the situation.

  LArginine twice a day for those who can use it. (SANS Vasolow) Expensive but worth the          

  money.

  Viagra, Levitra or Cialis eveyday in a small dose.

 ***I've lost no length from surgery itself but, it wasn't without a fight.

        Would have done none of this except the Levitra without Vick having

        done most of the reading and coaxing. She faught, I won. Guess it

        would be best for me to give in and win every time from now on!

 ***Good to see so many on the road to recovery and hangin in there.

Paul

Posted 8/23/2007 5:29 AM (GMT -8)

Mal, thanks for bringing this up (no pun intended).

Not to make light of the situation but I keep telling my wife if this keeps up by the time I start surfing this winter I'm going to have a tail. tongue

I figured as much that it had to due with the shorting of the urethra after removing the prostrate. When can you start using the pump? I am less than 4 weeks out of surgery and waiting for my post psa and eventually radiation therapy.

Posted 8/23/2007 6:16 AM (GMT -8)
Mal,

I had the same concern at about the same point after surgery that you are at. Once I started on the penile rehab using both Viagra and the pump my penis returned to normal length. There is a lot of healing going on in that area and it will take a couple of months before it all settles down. I started on the pump at about six weeks post surgery and was on daily Viagra three weeks after surgery.

Tamu
Posted 8/23/2007 6:30 AM (GMT -8)
Yea, I've been on Viagra 25mg since surgery with some self stimulation per Dr. orders unfortunately once it turned into a orgasm which hurt like hell. I guess the inside healing couldn't handle it. Needless to say not going to do that again for a while.    
Posted 8/23/2007 8:28 AM (GMT -8)
My dr warned that on average penis length is reduced by 1 cm as result of RRP.   I think Walsh mentions this, as well.  

Posted 8/23/2007 8:41 AM (GMT -8)
 

Fellas,

There is a very good journal article on penile shrinkage......hope it helps

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2005.05667.x?cookieSet=1

Posted 8/23/2007 11:31 AM (GMT -8)
Good article and hopefully it is temporary. I figured with the amount of stress that area has been put through it's still a bit scared.
Posted 8/23/2007 5:27 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Guys. Would you not run and hide if someone pulled a sharp knife and got that close to you????

Mika-mvesr
Posted 8/23/2007 5:34 PM (GMT -8)
It's not how deep you fish, it's how you wiggle your worm.  It's an old joke, but so am I.
Posted 8/23/2007 5:39 PM (GMT -8)
Hey....Mine "turtled" on me for quite some time. but I would have been hiding out too after being poked and prodded around! I would say I'm almost back to pre surgery leingth and my erections are starting to return on their own. Now if the leakin would just stop!!!!

Good Luck......KW
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