Penis prostheses, known as happiness bars, are medical devices used to help men regain their sexual functions. They are especially preferred in men who have erectile dysfunction (erection problems) and who do not benefit from different treatment methods or as an alternative to other treatments. These devices aim to increase the quality of life of both their spouses and their partners-partners by helping our patients achieve a healthy sexual life. With the development of technology, there are different types of penis prostheses that offer different features today.
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What Does the Penile Implant Do?
Happiness bars are surgically placed prostheses used to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). For this reason, they are also called penile implants.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve erection in the penis or the rapid deterioration of the erectile penis, and most men experience this problem at some point in their lives. This problem can be a result of psychological, physical, biological and environmental factors. For some men, medications, injections, pump devices or other treatment methods may not be effective. This is where penile prostheses come into play.
Happiness sticks are considered a last resort in the treatment of erectile dysfunction to provide erection. Prostheses are placed inside the penis tissue and allow couples to continue their normal sexual intercourse.
How to Use Happiness Sticks?
The purpose of penis prostheses called happiness sticks is to provide a healthy sexual life for the person. Different types of prostheses have been developed for this purpose. Inflatable or flexible prostheses are the most widely used in the world.
How to use flexible prostheses?
Flexible prostheses are slightly flexible and the person can adjust the prosthesis according to his/her body position at his/her own request. He/she can bring his/her penis to an erect position before intercourse and bend it by hand after intercourse. It is relatively easier to use mechanically. It can be erect and bent with a simple hand manipulation.
How to use inflatable prostheses?
Inflatable implants are soft cylindrical prostheses placed inside the penis. These prostheses can be 2 or 3 pieces. Since 2-piece prostheses have not been very popular in our country in recent years, I will mostly talk about 3-piece prostheses.
They are also known as 3-piece prostheses because there is a pump and reservoir connected to inflatable prostheses. They are inflated during sexual intercourse by a pump placed in the ovary. They are the prostheses that best mimic natural erection in this respect. When intercourse is completed, the person can deflate his penis by pressing the small button on the pump in the ovary.
There are 2 different models of inflatable 3-piece penile prostheses. When the first group is inflated, it only expands in width and the penis becomes erect. When the penile prostheses in the other group are inflated with a pump, they expand in width and length. As a result of using these prostheses, extra lengthening (1-2cm) is achieved in the penis over time.
Happiness Rod Surgery
Happiness rod surgery begins with the patient’s preoperative anesthesia examination. The necessary anesthesia examination is performed in the days before the surgery, if possible. Our patient, who has been fasting since the night of the surgery (after 6-8 hours of fasting), is admitted to the hospital and taken to the operating room. Before starting the surgery, the doctor or personnel cleans the genitals of hair. Afterwards, the genitals are cleaned with special disinfectants. The cleaning of the skin of the genitals is important in terms of preventing postoperative infection. Since diabetics are especially prone to infection, the sterilization of the surgical field in prosthesis surgeries should be done meticulously. In addition, broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered intravenously to all patients. The surgical field is frequently washed with antibiotic solutions during the surgery.
The prostheses called happiness rods are placed in cylindrical structures called corpus cavernosum, which provide erection in the penis. These structures are reached with 2 methods. The first is the area called infrapubic on the upper part of the penis. Incisions made in this area are not preferred much due to the risk of scarring or damage to the erectile nerves. The other method is to reach the structures called corpus cavernosum inside the penis through a 2-3 cm incision made in the penoscorotal region between the penis and the ovary. Prostheses of appropriate size are placed inside them. In inflated prostheses, a water bladder called a reservoir is placed under the muscles in the groin, and a pump is placed inside the ovary. The working system of the prosthesis is checked frequently during the surgery. The opened skin and layers are closed and the surgery is completed. During the surgery, a catheter-foley catheter that drains the patient’s urine from the bladder is placed.
is placed. The penis is wrapped with a special bandage.
Types of Happiness Rods
Penis prostheses called happiness rods can generally be classified into 2 main categories: semi-rigid prostheses and inflatable prostheses. Each type is designed according to different patient needs.
Flexible Semi-Rigid (Malleable) Penile Prostheses
These prostheses are also known as one-piece or malleable prostheses. Semi-rigid prostheses are usually made of elastic and rigid materials and give the patient’s penis a natural rigidity. Such prostheses are constantly erect. The user can shape the prosthesis according to the body position, but such devices do not work in a way similar to natural erection processes. Semi-rigid prostheses are relatively easier to use. They are more economical than other types of prostheses and have less mechanical failure.
Inflatable Penile Prostheses
Inflatable penile prostheses consist of cylindrical inflatable structures placed inside the penis, a reservoir placed in the abdomen from the groin, and a pump placed in the ovary. The user can achieve an erection by inflating the prosthesis. Inflatable prostheses offer users a more natural experience because the erection process can be controlled more.
Which Prosthesis is Preferred in Happiness Rod Surgery?
The approach to the happiness rod preference depends on the doctor and the patient. Flexible prostheses are preferred for elderly patients with weakened manual skills. Inflatable prostheses are more prominent in young-middle-aged patients.
Which Doctor Performs Happiness Rod Surgery?
Happiness rod surgery is a surgical procedure that requires experience and meticulousness. It should be performed by experienced urology and andrology specialists who have previously placed a penile prosthesis and can follow the patient in the following process.
How Long Does Happiness Rod Surgery Take?
Happiness rod surgery may vary depending on the type of prosthesis to be placed and the patient. In general, this surgery duration may vary between 6-120 minutes. Especially in patients with Peyronie’s disease or who have previously received injection treatment, the procedure is more complicated and may take longer.
How is the Happiness Bar Surgery Performed?
The happiness bar is reached by an incision made between the penis and the ovary or from the pubic region, to both the right and left corpus cavernosums that provide erection in the penis. These structures are opened appropriately, their interiors are expanded and prepared for the prostheses to be placed inside. Prostheses of appropriate size are placed inside the corpus cavernosums. In inflatable prostheses, erection is achieved by filling the prosthesis with water. This water is in the form of a bubble and is called a reservoir. This reservoir is placed under the muscles in the lower abdomen through the same incision. The other piece, the pump, is placed between the testicles inside the ovarian sac. The connections of these 3 pieces are provided, checks are made and the skin layers are closed with self-dissolving stitches. After the surgery, a catheter (Foley catheter) is placed in the urinary tract. The wound is dressed and the penis is wrapped with a bandage and the surgery is concluded.
How Many Days Does the Happiness Bar Surgery Heal?
Our patients usually stay in the hospital for 1-2 days after the surgery. It is recommended that they rest at home for about 1 week.
Who Cannot Have Happiness Rod Surgery?
Happiness rod surgery is not recommended for patients with infections in the urinary tract or genitals. Our patients cannot have surgery in people with an infection detected in their blood values for anesthesia or lung infection due to both anesthesia and surgical risks. Again, happiness rod is not recommended for people with psychiatric problems.
Happiness rod surgery is not recommended for people with serious diabetes due to anesthesia and infection risks. It can be applied to patients who use diabetes medications regularly and whose blood values have fallen to acceptable levels by taking the necessary precautions.
What Are the Risks of Happiness Rod Surgery?
Although happiness rod surgery is generally a safe and effective treatment, there are some risks as in every surgical procedure. Possible complications may be:
• Infection: There is a risk of infection during surgical procedures. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to hygiene rules after the surgical procedure.
• Prosthesis Malfunction or Movement: In some cases, the prosthesis may not work properly or may slip out of place. In this case, additional surgical interventions may be required.
• Pain and Irritation: Some patients may experience pain or discomfort after the prosthesis is placed. This may be part of the treatment process, but excessive pain may be a sign of a serious complication.
When Can You Return to Normal Life After the Happiness Rod Surgery?
Our patients can return to normal life approximately 1 week after the happiness rod surgery.
Is There Pain After the Happiness Rod Surgery?
Our patients may have acceptable levels of pain after the happiness rod surgery. We also prescribe the necessary painkillers for this pain. Pain ı especially in the first process. The pain decreases over time and no painkillers are required. It would be more appropriate for patients who have severe and unbearable pain despite treatment to consult their doctors.
What to Consider After Happiness Rod Surgery?
After the happiness rod surgery, we discharge our patients by prescribing some medications (antibiotics and painkillers). It is very important to use these medications regularly. Social life can be resumed approximately 1 week after the surgery.
Our patients who have a happiness rod can take a bath a few days after the surgery. Heavy exercises and sexual intercourse are not recommended for 4-6 weeks. Your doctor will call you for a check-up at certain intervals.
Bruises may occur on your suture line or in your ovary sac, in your groin. If these bruises increase, if there is discharge from the suture line or if your fever exceeds 38, you should contact your doctor.
Happiness Rod Surgery Prices
Happiness rod surgery prices vary depending on the prosthesis used, the hospital where the surgery is performed and the doctor who will perform it. Especially the prosthesis that provides extra extension from 3-piece prostheses is more costly than other prostheses. The hospital where the surgery will be performed also affects the price. It would be healthier to have it done in high-level hospitals where sterilization conditions are good.