Penile implant surgery involves pre-operative assessment, planning the appropriate device, placement in theatre, discharge and structured recovery. Anaesthesia, incision, length of stay, medicines and the timing of device use vary by person and centre; only the plan provided by your surgical team applies to you.
This is a general roadmap and does not replace your own instructions about fasting, medicines, wound care, movement, follow-up or device use.
1. Assessment before surgery
The history of erectile dysfunction, treatments already tried and expectations are reviewed. The urologist may consider general health, diabetes control, previous abdominal, groin, pelvic or prostate surgery, signs of urinary or skin infection, bleeding risk and the ability to operate the device.
The scope of examination and testing is individual. The surgical and anaesthetic teams may select blood tests, heart or lung assessment, or other investigations according to health needs.
Read who may be considered for an implant and the treatment guide for the decision stage.
2. Why personal preparation instructions matter
Tell the team about all prescribed and non-prescribed medicines, supplements and allergies. Medicines that affect bleeding are particularly important, but do not stop, change or restart any medicine without the prescribing clinician and surgical team.
Fasting, skin preparation, infection screening and medicines on the day vary between centres and patients. If written instructions are unclear, ask the team before the operation.
Clarify why a particular implant type is planned, the anaesthetic plan and personal risks, required tests, expected stay, transport home, post-discharge contact and personal limits for work, driving, sport and sexual activity.
3. Admission and anaesthesia
Identity and the operation plan are checked on admission, and the surgical and anaesthetic teams complete their final review. Surgery may use general or regional anaesthesia depending on health, local practice and the anaesthetic assessment. A urinary catheter or temporary drain is used in some patients, not all; ask why it may be needed and when it is expected to be removed.
4. What happens during the operation?
Through an incision at the penile base, scrotum or groin, the surgeon prepares space within the two erectile bodies and places appropriately sized cylinders or malleable rods. In an inflatable system the pump is positioned in the scrotum; a three-piece system also requires a reservoir. Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery may influence reservoir position and incision planning. Components are checked before the wound is closed.
There is no single operation time that applies to everyone. Device type, anatomy, previous surgery and intra-operative findings can change the duration.
5. Recovery area, ward and discharge
After surgery, vital signs and pain are monitored. Movement, eating and drinking, urination, dressing care and any catheter or drain are reviewed according to the individual plan.
Official patient information often describes a stay of about one night, but this is only a general example. Same-day discharge or a longer stay may be appropriate depending on health, anaesthesia, the course of surgery and local practice; the team assessing you makes the discharge decision.
Before leaving, obtain written instructions for pain relief and other medicines, wound and dressing care, showering, movement, driving and lifting limits, follow-up, the state in which the device should remain and when it may be touched, and which signs require contact through which number.
6. The first days
Pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising can occur; their degree and duration vary, but pain should gradually ease and the wound should follow the expected healing course. Follow only your own team’s wound, movement, lifting and medicine instructions. A programme given to another patient may not be appropriate for your operation.
Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, increasing redness or swelling, discharge or persistent bleeding, worsening pain despite prescribed treatment, inability to pass urine or unexpected device behaviour. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms may require urgent medical assessment.
7. Returning to work and sexual activity
The following are dated institutional examples, not universal instructions or personal clearance. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust’s 2022 information for inflatable penile prosthesis patients describes around two weeks away from work, extending to six weeks for manual work or work with a high risk of wound contamination. See The Christie document, “Work”, p. 5.
The same 2022 document states in “Outpatient appointments”, p. 5, that use for intercourse may be proposed after reassessment at about six weeks. This is not a current local protocol or personal permission; the decision depends on examination and training.
Your own return is determined by pain, wound healing, workload, the course of surgery and follow-up findings. Return to heavy exercise or sexual activity only when your surgeon has cleared you.
8. Follow-up and device training
Follow-up reviews healing, device position and function. There is no universal schedule for first activation, and official centre protocols differ. Do not inflate, deflate or begin an exercise programme until your surgeon or trained professional has demonstrated it. Training should cover pump position, correct operation, expected sensations and when to seek help.
For the longer-term practical and intimate questions, continue to life after a penile implant. General questions are available in the FAQ.
A well-planned pathway is more than the operation itself: appropriate selection, personal preparation, safe discharge and continuing follow-up are parts of the same process.