If you’re feeling insecure about the size of your penis, you may be considering penis enlargement surgery. Maybe exercises, stretching, devices and pills just aren’t delivering the results you want. Surgery may seem like it will deliver more promising results.
But before you dive in headfirst, there are several things you need to consider, like how much does penis surgery cost? Let’s take a closer look at the true cost of penis enlargement surgery.
Phalloplasty Definition
Phalloplasty is the technical term for penis enlargement surgery. The goal of the procedure is to increase the girth or length of the penis. There are a few types of surgeries that can help accomplish this goal.
Types of Penis Enlargement Surgeries
While there are many types of penis enhancement surgeries, the most common procedures include:
Silicone Implants
Just as breast implants can be used to make a woman’s breasts appear larger, silicone implants can also be used to enlarge a man’s penis.
With this type of procedure, a crescent-shaped implant is inserted under the skin at the base of the penis to increase length and girth.
Penuma implant surgery is the only surgery that’s cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial use through the 510(k) regulation. Penuma’s plants are shaped to match the shape and size of the patient’s penis.
Penile Suspensory Ligament Surgery
Also known as ligamentolysis, this procedure is designed to make the flaccid penis look bigger. Surgeons cut the suspensory ligament (the ligament that connects the pubic bone to the penis) to add length to the penis.
Once the ligament is severed, the surgeon will move skin down from the abdomen to the shaft of the penis. While this procedure can make a flaccid penis look larger, it doesn’t actually increase penis size.
Fat Transfer
Another popular form of penis enlargement surgery is fat transfer. During the procedure, fat cells are taken from the body and injected into the shaft of the penis. The fat is removed via liposuction, usually on the thighs or abdomen.
Once the fat is extracted, it goes through a purification process.
Small incisions are made along the sides of the penis, and the purified fat cells are injected into these openings. Once injected, the fat can be manipulated to make sure that it’s evenly distributed.
Unfortunately, fat transfer only delivers temporary results. The fat cells may be reabsorbed by the body. Surviving fat cells may stick around, but there’s no guarantee. To maintain results, you may need to repeat this procedure again in the future.
How Much is Penis Enlargement Surgery?
In most cases, penis enlargement surgery is an elective, cosmetic procedure. Insurance generally doesn’t cover these types of procedures, so patients will have to pay for their surgery out of their own pockets.
Some surgeons offer financing in-house or through a third-party lender. This can make it easier for patients to pay for their surgeries, but it’s important to understand the costs before making a commitment.
Average Penis Surgery Costs
The cost of surgery can vary depending on your personal circumstances. In addition to the cost of the procedure itself, you also have to consider other indirect costs.
Cost of the Procedure Itself
The cost of the surgery will depend on what type of procedure you’re considering. Here’s a rundown of the average costs of the most common types of penis surgery.
- Penuma Implant: Costs can vary, but on average, patients pay $16,000 for this procedure.
- Fat Transfer: Costs can range from $3,500 to $8,500 or more, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
- Ligamentolysis: The cost of this procedure can range from $15,000 to $25,000.
In addition to the actual procedure, consider travel costs. How will you get to the facility and back home? Will you need to pay for a cab or Uber? If a friend or loved one is driving you, you may need to pay for gas. Transportation costs should be added to the costs of the procedure.
Keep in mind that the costs listed above are just averages or ballpark estimates. Your surgery may cost more, especially if you plan to include other complementing procedures (like injections) into the mix or will require a more complicated surgery.
Recovery
Any type of surgery will have a recovery period, and that period needs to be considered in the overall cost. You will likely need to take some time off of work while your body heals, and that will add to the overall cost of the procedure.
Recovery periods can vary depending on the procedure. For example:
- Implant surgery takes one to two weeks to fully recover.
- Fat transfer surgery takes, on average, two weeks to fully recover, and you’ll need to take at least one day off of work.
- Ligament transection can take up to four months to fully recover, and you’ll need to take at least two days off of work.
Consider the cost of taking time off of work and any help you need during recovery. It may be a few days before you can be up and about doing everyday chores, so you may need to ask for help or hire someone to take care of everyday tasks until you’re feeling better.
If you have paid vacation time, having to take off of work may not be a big deal. Otherwise, you’ll need factor in each day’s pay that’s lost.
Non-Monetary Costs
In addition to cash, penis surgery also has non-monetary costs, such as:
- Not being able to have sex or masturbate for an extended period of time.
- Not being able to exercise until you’ve recovered enough.
- Stress and fear related the surgery.
For example, with fat transfer surgery, you can’t:
- Have sex for 1-2 weeks
- Wear tight-fitting clothing for 1-2 weeks
- Exercise for 1 month
These costs may not drain your bank account, but they can disrupt your life or have negative effects on your well-being. Keep these costs in mind when considering whether surgery is the right choice for you.
Permanent Male Enlargement Surgery Options
At the moment, the only permanent penis enlargement surgery available is the Penuma implant. It’s also the only surgery that’s been cleared by the FDA.
Key Benefits of This Procedure
- Quick outpatient procedure – up to 60 minutes
- Quick recovery time (2-4 days on average)
- No scars or incisions on the penis
- Track record of success
- Few adverse events
A 2018 study found that Penuma increased girth by an average of 56.7%, and the procedure has a high rate of satisfaction even years after the procedure.
Another study from 2019 found that Penuma’s silicone implant allowed more of the penis glans and shaft to be visible.
On average, people experience a 1.5”-2.5” increase in size while flaccid and erect.
How Does the Procedure Work?
The Penuma implant is inserted into the shaft of the penis through a small incision at the groin area. The goal of the implant is to stretch the penis and the penile tissue. This is what makes your penis look and feel bigger.
Although this is a surgical procedure, it doesn’t take quite as long as other surgeries. Typically, the procedure lasts 45-60 minutes. Most people will go home the same day of the procedure. Make sure that you have a ride home from the facility. You’ll be under general anesthesia during the procedure, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home.
After the procedure, you’ll need to plan for at least two to three days of rest, although your doctor may recommend a longer rest period. You may experience some swelling in the penis for a few weeks. You’ll also need to abstain from sex for 4-8 weeks, or until you’re cleared by your doctor.
The Bottom Line
Penis enlargement surgery is a big deal. This is not a decision that you should take lightly. Because these are true surgical procedures, concerns about your health and the risks of surgery need to be considered before you commit to the procedure. Costs are also high, so that’s another consideration. Can you realistically afford to have penis surgery? Will you be able to take time off of work and commit to recovery?
With surgical implants, many people feel the cost and life disruption is worth it. But you’ll need to decide whether it’s right for you. Implants are also the only procedure that delivers permanent results, so you may need to pay for future surgeries if you choose one of the other procedures above.