hoddle10 wrote: Thanks for much for the update. So you are about 3.5 years post op? It will be fascinating to see where you are at the 4 and 5 year mark.
I've always questioned the validity of the idea that Ellanse is a "safer" option than PMMA and think that it's main benefit is psychological. At what point does the length of time a temporary product lasts become so long that it negates pretty much all the benefits of not being permanent? If this stuff doesn't degrade within 5 or even 10 years, then what benefit does it have?
So far, every guy with Ellanse issues have been offered steroid injections or Removal surgery. If you can't dissolve it and it doesn't get absorbed over time, then what happens if the patient has an issue or doesn't like the result? Let's say you have the 4 year product and after a few weeks lumps and nodules appear. Do you wait four years? What, if I suspect to be the case, after 4.5 years it hasn't gone? Do you continue to wait? I just don't see it. From my experience of following PE procedures, if a guys has an issue that causes them stress, they want it dealt with asap.
Maybe there is the possibility that less reactions happen due to the micro-spheres being made from different material, but it will be hard to get any data on that, as so many more guys have had PMMA and because it's cheaper, often so much more is injected. But ml for ml, I'd be surprised if there was any real statistical difference.
Ellanse is a fantastic option for those who live in areas where PMMA isn't a viable option, but over the course of time, I'd be very surprised if it had a statistically significant better safety profile, even if, after 4 or 5 years, it does wear off.
One thing is for sure, Ellanse 100% isn't the happy medium between HA and PMMA. It's far, far closer to PMMA and possibly just the same.
One very positive aspect I've noted with Ellanse, is that ml for ml, I'm sure it creates more volume than PMMA. It's purely anecdotal, but I swear I've noticed guys getting 10ml of Ellanse get similar results to 15 or 20ml of PMMA.
Hi Hoddle10.
I found your post very relevant as it also seems to me that
Ellanse is more of a permanent solution than anything else.
I am uncut and been considering
Ellanse for a while but worry about the accordion effect. Ive been told by Dr C to have a lower dose of 8ml to 10ml of
Ellanse to reduce that chance but worried that I might get stuck with this accordion effect for 3 years.
What would you recommend given that
Circumcision is not something that Im ready to consider? Finally, I suggested to dr C to have
HA instead and see how it goes but advised me against it given that patients are not happy with the spongy feel.
thanks