Penile augmentation has become a popular subject over the last few
years. Magazines, newspapers and television stations have covered
new techniques and the doctors performing them. Advancements in the
world of plastic surgery and reconstruction have influenced other fields
such as psychology, sexology, urology and more. According to a local
urologist (Rheinschild, 1995), over three thousand men have already undergone
the augmentation procedure and an estimated five thousand more will have
one of the surgeries done over the following year.
As a researcher, surgeons invited me to watch them perform their penile augmentation techniques. Each doctor performs the technique with which he feels the most comfortable and which he thinks will produce the best results. Doctors often meet at conferences or privately at their offices to exchange information and techniques. Some perform experimental techniques together in order to discuss the surgery in more depth.
I had the opportunity to witness a penile elongation during which the doctor used a Y-plasty (photo 12.1). Using a Y-plasty is not as common as it was before because they can create large scars which can be seen through pubic hair upon regrowth. Patients often desire scar reconstruction surgery to eliminate the scar as much as possible.
I was also invited to watch numerous penile enlargements and lengthenings in which dermal fat grafts (photos 7.1- 7.9) were harvested and reattached in the penis. The pubic scar was always a straight horizontal line just above the pubic bone. This surgery used to be one long procedure but is now divided into two separate procedures, with approximately six months between the two sessions. This new time line procedure was initiated to give the pubic area improved healing.
In a medical journal article, John Murtagh, M.D. (1989), stated "there is no way of physically enlarging a penis." He obviously had not considered the future market for penile enlargements. This is a contemporary topic that evokes an uproar of emotion from professionals and lay persons alike. This research will investigate the social, sexual and medical characteristics of men who have previously undergone a penile augmentation surgery.
There has been no systematic research done on the patients of the penile enlargements. Who actually goes through with the surgery? Where are they from? How did the doctor and the surgery match up to their expectations and was it all worth it in the end? According to Roos and Lissoos (1994), no studies have been done on males and the possible self-image problems "due to socio-psychologically unacceptable penis size." The sexual self-image of these men is being altered by the penile enlargement surgery.
Sexologists study all aspects of human life that is concerned with what people are doing sexually and how do they feel about it. There is a condition called "inadequate personality" (Francoeur, Perper & Scherzer, 1991) in which a person perceives him/herself as always being inadequate and in no way equal to peers. Many men feel a sexual inadequacy related to penis size. Sexologists have a professional responsibility to educate and reassure men who need anatomical and physiological facts. A perceived small penis is a concern of some men who come to see sex therapists.
I studied and witnessed different kinds of penile augmentation surgeries and found a need for scientific, methodological research. Professional fields such as psychology, sociology, medicine, and sexology have a need for scientifically based answers to commonly asked questions concerning penile augmentation. According to Roos and Lissoos (1994), patients flocked to them in search of penile elongation, relating stories of "social maladjustment, fear of relationships and lack of self-confidence due to under endowment." The theme of penis size has been a source of anxiety among men throughout history.
Popular women's and men's magazines often publish articles in which the readers evaluate men's bodies according to what physical characteristics they look for in a man or what they find sexy. Men are sex symbols whose body parts are being rated by men and women all around the world. Bulging muscles and bulging genitals never miss the list of what readers look for. These anxiety provoking features have men paying thousands of dollars for some extra bulge.
As a sexologist and researcher, I feel that it is my responsibility to investigate whether penile enlargement and lengthening procedures are affecting the sexuality of the patients. The results of this analytical investigation will explain to the sexological and urological worlds the who, what, where, when and why of fifty-eight men who have undergone a penile enlargement surgery.
AREA OF INVESTIGATION
Penile enlargement surgeries are performed daily by urologists all over the United States. Should this surgery be done? Is it being done successfully? Which surgeries are the most successful and why? Is there uniformity of surgical procedures among doctors around the world or down the block? Who are the patients paying thousands of dollars for extra inches on a flaccid penis? How does the surgery affect the sexuality of the patient? How does it affect their self worth? The questions are endless because this area has never been studied. Sexologically, we have very little information on how these surgeries affect sexual relationships, stimulation and arousal.