Non-surgical vs surgical
Non-Surgical vs Surgical Penis Enlargement
Non-surgical vs surgical penis enlargement: what each approach can and cannot do, with the sources.
The non-surgical penis enlargement approach
- Instant results with less downtime: patients can resume sexual intercourse after 14 days
- A less expensive option than surgery, and considerably less invasive
- Increases flaccid and erect thickness (girth) at the same time
- Dermal filler selected for maximum aesthetic and functional result
- Safer, and reversible if necessary using a dissolving enzyme
Studies in peer-reviewed medical journals are listed in our medical studies section.
What the UK NHS says about surgery
Surgery to increase penis length
The most common technique involves cutting the ligament that attaches the penis to the pubic bone and performing a skin graft at the base to allow for the extra length. Professor Wylie says the surgery can result in an average gain in length to the flaccid penis of 2 cm, but there will be no change to the size of the erect penis. Furthermore, the erect penis will not point as high as before, because the ligament which was cut no longer offers support.
"A lot of men who have this treatment don't truly appreciate this loss of angle. It can make sex quite uncomfortable. You've got to do a lot more manoeuvring with your partner. The advantage of a 2 cm gain in flaccid length is far outweighed by the loss of angle of erection."Professor Kevan Wylie, NHS, 20 April 2015
"A study in 2006 found that this procedure led to an average increase of 1.3 cm in penis length. However, only 35% of men who had the operation were happy with the results."NHS, 4 April 2015
Surgery to increase penis girth
"Some surgical techniques to increase penis girth involve injecting fat taken from another part of the body into the penis. Some studies have reported increases in circumference of 1.4 to 4 cm. However, studies that followed men up over a longer time suggest disappointing results, with complications including disfigurement, scarring, lumpiness and infection."NHS, 20 April 2015
"The problem with injecting fat is that over time, the body will re-absorb the fat which can result in a return to the penis' original size."Professor Wylie, NHS
"There's a risk that the penis may look uneven or lumpy, and there may be scarring. The injected fat can also disappear over time. Very little evidence has been published on the long-term effectiveness and risks of this technique."NHS, 4 April 2015
Fat transfer, or lipofilling, to the penis
It may sound like a good idea to make the penis "fatter" using fat. However, the penis is not made of fat to begin with and is not designed to store it. The reliability and predictability of fat transfer results remain highly variable. An article documenting the risks of fat injection in penoplasty lists mild to severe absorption with deformity, skin adhesions, scarring, necrosis and severe infection.
See our full lengthening surgery and fat transfer vs filler pages.
Why reversible dermal filler
Dermal fillers are a tried and tested method of adding volume to the lips, cheekbones and elsewhere on the face, and to areas of the body such as the buttocks. The main attraction is that there is no surgery, the treatment takes minutes, there is no general anesthetic or sedation, and little to no downtime except 14 days without sexual intercourse.
The penis is instantly thicker. Results typically last 12 to 24 months (half-life), with less filler needed on repeat treatments because some residual filler remains. You can have repeat treatments for more girth whenever you want. Generally, the firmer the filler, the longer it lasts, but the harder it is to mould out any irregularity before it sets.
Reversible filler can be dissolved quickly with an enzyme at any point after the procedure in the unlikely event of a problem. Permanent results can mean permanent problems; it may be better to opt for a less invasive, non-permanent and reversible procedure than accept the risk of permanent deformity.
Treatments in Edmonton are offered in 10, 15 and 20 ml packages. The Androfill approach involves less risk to the penis and significantly less downtime than traditional fat transfer methods.
All patients considering cosmetic surgery of any kind should make themselves aware of the risks. Search for "penis surgery complications" and read forums such as Phalloboards before committing to any procedure.
Weigh it up with Dr Anwer
A candid consultation in Edmonton about what filler can and cannot do. No obligation.