SUMMARY: I am happy with my testicular enhancement, but the journey and story might be meaningful to some. I will share my journey, constructive and critical comments, and lessons learned. I found this forum before the surgery, and I took careful notes and photos during weeks 1-8 in preparation for this review. I have waited this long so to be more complete in a single post.
JOURNEY:
For much of my life, I have always been a curious and well-researched individual, and in the past, I remember reading about fat grafting and ligament cuts, pumping, weights, and miracle pills. Perhaps being in the average or maybe average-plus category kept me from doing any of these options. I am not small or large, but I show well in clothes (perhaps false advertising).
I have always been a leader, well educated, and well-spoken. And sexually, I have always been more of a dominant or aggressive partner. Average has never been enough for me, whether sports, speaking, various hobbies and skills, etc. So…
2020:
Fast forward to 2020, and I find articles (now realized as likely paid advertisements or similar) for the Penuma. I am sure other services use paid advertising, but the Penuma caught my attention as did his testicle enlargement option. Both were distinctly different than other methods for which I was aware, and solid silicone had an overall positive result in so many other cosmetic procedures. So, with my hopeful and wishful thinking, I booked a flight and off to Hollywood I went to meet with Dr. Elist and his team with little hesitation. The meeting offered ample time. I was not rushed, nor did I feel I was being aggressively sold. During this time, I saw older and current models of the Penuma and the Testicular encasements.
OPTIONS CONSIDERED:
I looked at other options before I booked my surgery with Elist. I omitted implants as an option as my testicles were functioning correctly and were already of decent size. I also omitted options to simply increase volume within the scrotal sack. Dr. Eppley offers a silicone wrap that is egg-shaped hollowed, with an opening at the top to “stretch over” the testicle. He was very helpful to talk with, but in the end, I felt this would not feel as natural. Dr. Elist offers a silicon wrap with a larger opening on the side of the egg-shaped silicone. From my non-doctor point of view, I think the Elist approach looks and feels far more natural. It appeared to me at the time that the Eppley approach was perhaps more simple, it was also less natural in that the overlay was enveloping the goods, cord and all, as opposed to encapsulating just the testicle. So, I think the Elist surgery is more complex than Eppley – but well thought out. So, I booked my surgery and knew I would be four weeks without sex.
This is where I should perhaps interject a lesson: We believe what we want to. I have known this for most of my life, but if there is a topic where it is forgotten, penis enlargement is likely one of them! I found this group within a week of my surgery booking. Let’s just say I was glad my first surgery was not for the Penuma. The reputational concerns of Elist were still heard loud and clear. I had decided to do my testicles first. I was more comfortable with the alternatives offered. I felt it offered far less risk of disappointment. I thought it might give me a better trial run for which I might get enough personal satisfaction to stop after this one procedure. I am overall pleased with what that approach as well as what I have today. I have not (yet) done any
Girth enhancements to the penis.
CRITICAL THOUGHTS:
1) Dr. Elist comes off as too confident and often not the best in patient manners. He can come off brash or abrupt. So, if you pause too long after a question, he will think you are done. Have your agenda in order before you start. On the other hand, he never brushed me off. We had several video calls post-surgery where he provided me the time I wanted. I have seen this temperament before. I did not see it as intentional but perhaps he has grown a view of his work being overly simplistic.
2) Post-surgery, they want you to submit weekly photos – it is a strict rule. However, this does NOT mean that the post-op staff will always reply! You may have to nudge or call for them to provide feedback. I feel they were not that helpful, and that is why I asked and got video calls with Dr. Elist.
3) While the four weeks of no sex is true, be prepared for restrictions even after. I’d tell anyone to plan on careful (non-aggressive) handling for 2-3 months. “milking” or soft stretching will generally be started at 4-6 weeks post-op. Bottom line: the post-care was arguably understated prior to surgery.
4) On the surgery date, the disclosures are provided for the first time in print. I realize many doctors do this and I find it most frustrating. You paid your money, and within an hour of being sliced up, here comes the real picture, warnings, etc.
5) I view cosmetic surgeries as if you do not know your full results for a year. My testicles, scrotum (cremaster muscle and related) is naturally pretty tight or over-reactive. They are more so after this surgery. I have had this discussion with several patients of Dr. Elist. I would summarize that those who have abnormal extra scrotum will do fine. All others, it will take time to soften and stretch. You won’t get low-hangers as a result of this surgery.
6) Size: Elist advertises L, XL, and XXL. Not true. He has 4 sizes. If #1 is Small, I wanted #3. Elist agreed pre surgery but at surgery he opted to use #2. While I now believe it was the right decision, this information was not easily provided to me without me pressing them to let me know. #2 is likely the largest one should go to remain impressive but not fake. I do have days I want bigger. Imagine that - nothing new there.
FINAL RESULTS:
I am nearing 2 years since surgery. I have had to do more stretching than most of the other men I have contacted. Overall, I am pleased. Yes, I would do it again. Before surgery, the common ball stretcher rings would fall off, because the smaller of my two testicles would slip up, and then it was game over. Today, I cannot put a 2”
Cock ring around my
Balls – unless the ring is hinged, and even then, it is difficult. This is primarily due to a lack of thin extra skin within the scrotum below the
Cock but above the
Balls. They are not low-hangers but are at a point today where they are not "up and tight" as they were feeling following surgery.
As far as reaction from others, they are noticeable when in briefs or nude when in settings like a locker-room or when in certain wet swimsuits or select shorts in public. In sexual settings, I have had nothing negative - a mix of positive and increased attention. Certainly, most women likely don't care or notice. But the feeling has enhanced my satisfaction during sex. And for oral sex, shockingly, I feel my testicles are far more shielded from pain - a tap or bump does not produce discomfort as it would have before surgery. So oral attention for me is more pleasing than before. With regard to comments from some patients saying they are harder 'hard," yes they are a denser feeling. I think the latest
Revision is a very soft silicone that I understand is near the softest able to be made and still be solid. I am happy with them, but I would certainly discuss with someone this aspect if reducing the softness was something one was concerned with. Overall, Elist's choice to use #2 XL was right. Had he used #3 I feel confident that they would have been just too large. Measurements are not precise but in general, listed below.
Before:
Width: ~25-31mm
Height: ~48mm
Today:
Width: ~41mm
Height: ~62-73mm