Penis Enlargement Surgery - A Complete Guide

July 9, 2020

For some, penis size might not seem like a big deal, but for millions of men, their penis size severely affects their lives. They may suffer from a lack of self-esteem and confidence in the bedroom. Penis enlargement surgery can be a solution to these issues, but not all procedures are created equally. In fact, the Penuma implant was developed because the previous options for penile enhancement were largely ineffective, damaging, and dangerous for men.

We specialize in the Penuma penile implant surgery. It is important to know about the available options for penile enhancement to help explain why we believe the Penuma implant is the best option.

What is the Average Penis Size?

This medically reviewed article from Medical News Today looked at studies on the average penis size from several medical journals. They found the following:

Average flaccid penis length is 2.8 to 3.9 inches
Average flaccid girth is 3.5 to 3.9 inches
Average erect length is 4.7 to 6.3 inches
Average erect girth is 4.7 inches

A 2015 systematic review from the British Journal of Urology of 15,521 men suggested that based on their meta-analysis, it is not possible to draw any conclusions about differences in penile size across different races and ethnicities. Keep in mind that these are averages. Both large and small outliers exist in every race and ethnicity.

Men often believe their penis is below average when it actually falls within these average size ranges. This belief can actually be a sign of Small Penis Anxiety (also known as Small Penis Syndrome), or even a more serious condition, Penile Dysmorphic Disorder (PDD). PDD causes men to be irrationally dissatisfied with the size or shape of their penis.

Your mental state is an important factor in determining whether penis enlargement surgery may give you the results you desire. If you have an irrational perception of your penis size compared to other men or your expectations coming out of penile enlargement surgery, then you most likely won’t be satisfied with the results of penis enlargement surgery. This is why an evaluation is part of our patient selection process.

Let’s look at the different types of penis enlargement surgery.

What are the Different Types of Penis Enlargement Surgery?

These are the surgical penile enlargement options:

Penuma Penile Implant Surgery

The Penuma implant is a medical-grade silicone implant designed specifically for the penis. It is the only device cleared by the FDA for aesthetic use on the penis.

The procedure involves a small incision made at the base of the penis. The implant, which is contoured to best fit the patient’s anatomy, is placed through this incision, and it wraps around the shaft of the penis. The procedure typically allows patients can go home or back to their hotel the same day.

Patients can usually go back to their daily routines within 2 to 4 days, but need to wait at least six to eight weeks (and sometimes longer based on individual circumstances) before masturbating or having sex.

It’s important for patients to follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Based on a published study of 400 patients over 5 years, the Penuma implant was found to have no effect on a patient’s ability to urinate or on any penile function.

Check out some of our Penuma penile implant reviews.

Suspensory Ligament Release

According to the American Urological Association, suspensory ligament release has not been shown to be safe or efficacious. While this procedure is not considered safe or effective, you still may be curious as to how it works.

The base of the penis connects to the pubic bone via the suspensory ligament. All men have two sections to their penis. The external section is the part that is outwardly visible. The internal section is the part that is “hidden” and connects the penis to the pubic bone.

The suspensory ligament helps stabilize the penis when it becomes erect. It creates an acute angle at the base of the penis that keeps the internal part of the penis safely inside.

Suspensory ligament release is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a V-shaped incision at the base of the pubic area and severs the suspensory ligament.

In theory, surgically releasing, or severing, the suspensory ligament is intended to release more of the penis outside the body. This is what “lengthens” the penis, although in reality it just makes more of the penis visible. However, the main risk with suspensory ligament release is the ligament can reattach, which erases any gain in length. Another big risk is it can cause erection instability, making intercourse difficult. Scarring and retraction of the penis are also common, thus causing the penis to ultimately be less visible than before the procedure.

After the procedure, patients must avoid strenuous activity for at least a month.

Surgical Skin Grafting

Surgical skin grafting for penis enlargement uses human skin tissue to increase penile girth. The two brands of dermal matrix used for this procedure are Alloderm and Belladerm.

Alloderm was originally invented to help treat severe burns and is used in the reconstruction of skin defects . It is made of treated cadaver tissue. It is now also popular in breast reconstruction surgery and reconstruction of abdominal wall defects. While it has been cleared for these uses, it has never been cleared by the FDA for use in the penis.

Belladerm is similar to Alloderm, with the main difference being that Belladerm is made from live donors while Alloderm comes from cadavers.

Both have been used to increase penile girth for over 20 years even though they are not intended for that purpose. FDA has sent warnings to the manufacturers for use of these products for penile enhancement.

They come in thin sheets with a thickness between 0.9 and 1.6 mm. Between 3 and 5 sheets are installed through a small incision and wrapped around the penis.

The theory is that this matrix facilitates the body’s natural revascularization process. While this may work in other areas of the body, unfortunately, it does not work for the penis. Oftentimes the tissue is reabsorbed by the body. It can also cause skin necrosis. Using skin either from a cadaver or live donor for penile enhancement is extremely dangerous and should not be done under any condition.

Penis Fat Injections

Penis fat injections involve taking fat from another area of the body, typically the abdomen or buttocks, and injecting it into the penis.

The fat cells are harvested through liposuction. About 30 percent of fat cells survive the harvesting process. The fat is then scrubbed of cellular debris and injected into the penis.

While fat injections can work in other soft tissue areas, such as the face, the American Urological Association has found that they are neither safe nor efficacious for use in the penis.

In the late ‘90s, some patients died from this procedure because the fat was injected directly into the corpus cavernosum, which is the core of the penis. The deaths were a result of a fat embolism.

Years later, urologists tried inserting fat graft under the skin of the penis. The lack of vascularity in this area caused the fat to contract and actually shrink the penis.

These injections can cause aesthetic deformities such as the formation of nodules under the penile skin. Also, the fat is often reabsorbed into the body unevenly, leaving penis asymmetrical and deformed. Even if neither of these issues arise, penis fat injections are temporary. You would need to keep getting it every few months to maintain any changes.

Dermal Fat Grafting

Dermal fat grafting is similar to penis fat injections in that it involves taking fat from another area of the body and inserting it into the penis. A dermal graft is a piece of the body (with or without underlying muscle and/or fat) that is cut off (i.e., free graft) and placed in another part of the body.

Dermal grafts for the penis are often taken from the crease where the back of the legs and the buttocks meet. Dermal grafts are used to close non-healing wound defects but are not considered safe or effective for penile augmentation.

The effectiveness of dermal grafts depends on neovascularization to reconnect to the body’s blood supply. Unfortunately, this often fails in the penile area. The fat is often reabsorbed by the body and erases any temporary gains and girth. This procedure often causes asymmetrical deformities on the penis and scarring where the fat was removed.

Penis Fillers

Injectable fillers are a popular cosmetic procedure for the forehead, lips, cheeks, and chin. Some Phalloplasty practitioners use these fillers in the penis.

Penis fillers can include one of several substances, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, silicone gel, or PMMA. These fillers are composed mostly of water and therefore are highly susceptible to reabsorption. It can cause marble-like deformities, nodules, and other disfigurements.

None of these fillers are cleared by FDA to use for cosmetic enhancement of the penis. Any results are also temporary.

What Penis Enlargement Procedure Produces the Best Results?

Out of all the penis enlargement procedures we covered, we believe the Penuma implant gives patients the best chance for satisfying results.

The average gain in penis size is between 1 and 2 inches (results may vary). According to an IRB-approved, five-year study of 400 Penuma patients, the Penuma implant increased mid-shaft circumference by an average of 56.7 percent. 81 percent of patients reported a high or very high level of satisfaction four years after their procedure.

No patients reported any negative change in their ability to urinate or ejaculate. Only 3 percent of patients had adverse events that led to the removal of the Penuma implant. In cases of removal, it is important to note that patients must follow all postoperative instructions.

Another study shows the Penuma implant to be an effective surgical treatment for retractile or buried penis.

Do Any Penis Enlargement Products Actually Work?

If you are serious about penis enlargement, we highly recommend that you avoid penis enlargement products like devices, pills, or creams if you are serious about penis enlargement.

While these options are much cheaper, there is no scientific evidence that any of these products actually work.

Devices like penis pumps may work for erectile dysfunction, but some companies falsely claim these gains are permanent.

Many penis enlargement pills and creams contain herbs thought to increase sexual health. These products are not regulated by the FDA, though, so the companies don’t have to prove their efficacy.

We recommend avoiding these products completely. If you do decide to try them, please first seek medical advice from a licensed physician.

How Much Does Penis Enlargement Surgery Cost?

Penis enlargement surgery is certainly an investment.

Suspensory ligament release costs between $15,000 and $25,000. While it may release some of the outside penis, the scar tissue formation often causes the penis to retract. Plus it can destabilize the penis, and the ligament can reattach, which puts the patient out thousands of dollars.

Alloderm and Belladerm run between $10,000 and $15,000. This is a high price tag for a procedure that often produces less than satisfactory results, using materials that were never intended for use in the penis.

The Penuma penile implant surgery costs between $16,000 and $30,000. The cost includes:

Compensation for the surgeon and surgical assistants
Operation room services
Anesthesiologist and anesthesia
Pre and post-surgery visits
Suprapubic fat removal and/or adult circumcision (if needed)

The wide range in price is due to the fact that adult circumcision and/or suprapubic fat removal may be required before the implant procedure can be performed.

The IRB-approved five-year study mentioned earlier shows that patients are satisfied with the Penuma implant for years after the procedure. Patients who get Alloderm, Belladerm, or fat injections find themselves disappointed once the results wear off after a few months.

This cost is also all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees. If you can’t afford this procedure out-of-pocket, there are several financing options available. Check out our cost and financing page to learn more.

If you want to see if you’re a good candidate for the Penuma penis enlargement surgery, fill out the contact form and an enhancement consultant will be in touch.

The above discussion is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician before pursuing penis enlargement surgery.

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