Penile augmentation (also known as phalloplasty, penile enchancement, penis enlargement) is intended to increase the size of a penis, offering patients enhanced confidence and sexual pleasure. Penis enlargement surgery consists of two surgical procedures to enlarge the penis, one is used to increase the girth of the penis, the second is used to increase the length of the penis. Typically, patients opt to have both penis enlargement procedures carried out at the same time. Traditional penile-enhancement surgery involves one or both of two basic procedures. The first, to increase length, involves making an incision at the base of the penis and snipping the ligament that anchors it to the pubic bone. This causes the portion of the penis that is normally inside the body to fall forward, giving the illusion of more length — usually about an inch, but up to two and a half inches. The second procedure, penis widening, adds girth to the penis. This requires the insertion of a filler material under the skin of the penis and can increase girth by up to 30 percent. Often to create a more natural look, both lengthening and augmenting the girth will be performed at the same time, although one or the other can be performed as a single operation. It is also important to have realistic expectations to avoid disappointment with the results. Only fully trained and qualified surgeons should perform penile surgery.
If you are a man concerned about the length or girth of your penis, Prof. Dr. Halim Hattat with an expertise in the area of uro-andrology for over 30 years is ready to explain to you a range of surgical options available which can address and hopefully resolve these problems.
What happens during the procedure?
Lengthening procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are made at the root of the penis where it joins the pubic area. The penis is then released from its attachments (suspensory ligaments) to the pubic symphysis. The space is closed with local tissue. Skin from the penis and/or the pubic area is used to cover the new extended penis. Post-operative traction using weights reduces the chance of retraction and provides more natural shaft skin.
Increasing the girth of the penis relies on fat cells (usually from the patients gluteal region) being transplanted (injected) around the penis. The procedure, known as fat transfer, bulks-up the penis and can increase the girth of the penis by 1 to 3 inches. A variant of the fat transfer method called “dermal transfer” strips of skin and fat together. The skin stops the fat from being re-absorbed into the body but because this procedure requires strips of skin and fat to be grafted onto the penis the surgery is more complex and the risk of disfigurement is much greater.
It can take 40 minutes to 2 hours to perform penile enlargement surgery. Time requirements vary depending on the method of the surgery being used.
What to expect post-procedure?
You will wear a light pressure dressing for at least a few days and elevation is recommended as well as wearing jockey shorts. The penis and scrotum are usually swollen and bruised for two to three weeks. You will be sore in the groin and pubic regions for up to two weeks, but this can be controlled with medication. You will see the doctor two to three days after surgery. At this time, it is possible that you are able to shower or bathe and start your own wound care and shaft wrapping. Sutures are removed 7-10 days post-op.
How soon does normal life resume?
It is highly recommended that you take two weeks off minimum, and then slowly reintegrate yourself back to normal life. Avoid sexual intercourse and heavy sports and activities for at least 4-8 weeks. Even after free-fat transfer, it is best to give the new cells at least 3-4 weeks to heal and early sexual activity might cause them to shift to an unwanted location.
Prof. Dr. Halim Hattat
