For men whose erectile dysfunction hasn’t responded to medication or other treatments, a penile implant can be life-changing — a discreet, reliable way to restore spontaneous, on-demand erections. Far from a last resort to dread, the inflatable penile implant is one of the most effective and satisfying solutions in all of men’s sexual health, with results that are entirely within the man’s control. The key to a great outcome is the experience of the surgeon placing it.
Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons whose practice has earned designation as an AMS 700 inflatable penile prosthesis Center of Excellence — a recognition reserved for surgeons with significant implant expertise. Fellowship-trained in male reproductive and sexual medicine at UCLA and an Assistant Professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, he has been featured in national media including the New York Post for his work in men’s sexual health. That combination of high surgical volume and academic rigor is exactly what penile implant surgery demands.
I recommend Dr. Houman for any urology need whatsoever. No question he will handle and take care of you and will make you feel comfortable throughout the entire process. He and his staff are reachable and answer all of your questions and concerns. If you are looking for someone like that, look no further.
What Is a Penile Implant?
A penile implant, or inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP), is a discreet medical device placed entirely inside the body during surgery to allow a man to achieve a firm erection whenever he chooses. It’s typically considered for men whose ED hasn’t responded to medications, injections, or a vacuum device, or who aren’t candidates for those options. Once healed, the device is invisible to others and operated by the man himself, restoring not just function but spontaneity.
Types of Penile Implants
The right device depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, and goals, which Dr. Houman reviews in detail during your consultation:
Three-Piece Inflatable Implant
The most popular option, with cylinders in the penis, a pump in the scrotum, and a reservoir in the abdomen — producing the most natural firm erection and the most natural flaccid appearance.
Two-Piece Inflatable Implant
Combines the pump and reservoir within the scrotum for a simpler design, which can suit certain men based on anatomy or medical history.
Semirigid (Malleable) Implant
Bendable rods that hold a firm position and are manually adjusted, with no mechanical parts and a quicker, simpler surgery.
Is a Penile Implant Right for You?
Penile implants are usually the right step when ED doesn’t respond to first-line treatments, when there’s no clearly reversible cause, or when ED is related to a condition such as Peyronie’s disease. A thorough consultation reviews your medical history and any factors — such as diabetes or heart disease — that could affect your procedure. Realistic expectations matter, too: a penile implant is permanent and irreversible, and while it restores the ability to have a firm, on-demand erection, it does not increase penis size, libido, or sensation, and it does not change orgasm or ejaculation.
What to Expect From Penile Implant Surgery
Penile implant surgery is typically completed in under an hour, often on an outpatient basis. After preparing you according to detailed pre-surgery instructions, Dr. Houman makes small, discreet incisions and positions the implant according to your individual measurements so it fits precisely. A long-acting pain block helps manage discomfort for the first 48 to 72 hours, and rest, along with prescribed medications to limit inflammation and infection, supports healing. Most men follow up shortly after surgery and wait about four to six weeks before using the implant for sexual activity.
Penile Implant Satisfaction and Results
Penile implants consistently rank among the highest-satisfaction treatments in all of men’s health. Studies report high satisfaction rates for both men and their partners — often cited above 90 percent — largely because the implant restores true spontaneity: an erection whenever desired, for as long as desired, without pills, injections, or timing. Once healed, the device is concealed and undetectable, and it doesn’t interfere with sensation or orgasm. For many men, that combination of reliability and discretion is exactly what other treatments couldn’t provide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penile Implant Surgery
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No — once healed, an inflatable penile implant is completely concealed; it isn’t visible when flaccid and is undetectable to others.
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No — the implant restores the ability to have an erection but doesn’t change penile sensation, orgasm, or ejaculation.
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Most men manage initial discomfort with a long-acting pain block over the first 48 to 72 hours and wait about four to six weeks before using the implant for sexual activity.
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Penile implants have among the highest satisfaction rates of any ED treatment, with studies reporting high satisfaction for both patients and their partners.
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Yes — placing an implant alters the erectile tissue, so it’s considered permanent and irreversible, which is why the decision is made carefully and with full information.
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Men with severe ED that hasn’t responded to medication, or ED related to conditions such as Peyronie’s disease, are often excellent candidates after a complete evaluation.
Why Choose Dr. Houman for Penile Implant Surgery in Los Angeles
- AMS 700 Center of Excellence: Recognized expertise in inflatable penile implant surgery.
- High Surgical Volume: Extensive implant experience that directly shapes results.
- Natural, Concealed Results: Technique focused on a firm erection and a natural flaccid appearance.
- Complete ED Expertise: Implants offered as part of the full spectrum of erectile dysfunction care.
Meet Dr. Houman
Expert in Men’s Health with Tower Urology and Cedars Sinai
Dr. Justin Houman, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained microsurgeon at Tower Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of practicing urologists in the United States.
His clinical focus is narrow by design. Varicoceles, chronic testicular pain, male infertility, vasectomy, testosterone optimization, erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery, and Peyronie’s disease are not add-on services here. They are the practice. Patients travel from across the country and internationally for procedures, particularly microsurgical varicocelectomy, spermatic cord denervation, and inflatable penile implant surgery, that require a level of subspecialty training and surgical volume most urology practices do not have.
Penile Implant Surgery in Los Angeles
When other treatments fall short, a penile implant can restore not only function but the spontaneity and confidence that ED takes away. Dr. Houman brings Center of Excellence expertise and a discreet, results-focused approach to men across Los Angeles and Southern California. Contact the Los Angeles office to schedule a confidential consultation and learn whether a penile implant is the right solution for you.
