Inflatable Penis Prosthesis (IPP)
When pills, injections, and office treatments do not fix erectile dysfunction, many men start to feel out of options. Confidence drops. Intimacy feels forced or disappears.
At Riverstone Urology Specialists, Dr. Russell Libby offers inflatable penis prosthesis surgery as a final step for men with severe, long standing ED. An inflatable implant sits fully inside the body and gives you control over when you have an erection and when you do not.
This page explains what an IPP is, who it suits, and how Dr. Libby approaches this decision.
What Is An Inflatable Penis Prosthesis
An inflatable penile prosthesis is a three piece device placed completely under the skin.
It Has Three Parts:
Cylinders
Placed inside the erection chambers in the penis. When they fill with fluid, the penis becomes firm.
Reservoir
A small fluid filled container placed in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Pump
A small pump with a release button placed in the scrotum, between the testicles.
Tubes connect all three parts into a closed system. When you squeeze the pump several times, fluid moves from the reservoir into the cylinders and creates an erection. When you press the release, fluid returns to the reservoir and the penis becomes soft again.
From the outside, no one sees the device. You choose when to have an erection.
Who Dr. Libby Considers For An IPP
An Implant Is Not The First Step. It Is A Strong Option When Other Tools Have Failed Or Lost Reliability. Dr. Libby Usually Considers An IPP When A Man:
- Has moderate to severe erectile dysfunction that has lasted years
- Has tried pills at proper doses without good results or with side effects
- Has tried or seriously discussed injections, vacuum devices, and wave therapy
- Has ED after prostate surgery or pelvic surgery that has not improved with time
- Wants a long term, mechanical solution rather than constant trial of medicines
Large studies show high satisfaction for many men and their partners after IPP surgery, often in the range of 85 to 95 percent in recent data.
This is not for men who still respond well to simple treatments, or for men who are unsure about surgery on the penis. The decision needs time and clear discussion.
How An IPP Works In Daily Life
Once You Heal, Day To Day Use Is Simple:
- When you want an erection, you feel for the small pump in the scrotum and squeeze it several times.
- Fluid moves into the cylinders, and the penis becomes firm enough for penetration.
- After intercourse, you press a release area on the pump, and the penis returns to a soft, natural looking state.
There is no wait for a pill to work, and no need for needles in the penis before sex. Many couples like the control and reliability, especially when other health issues are present.
How Dr. Libby Decides If An Implant Makes Sense
For Each Patient, Dr. Libby Walks Through Three Main Questions.
Is The Diagnosis Clear
He reviews the history, prior treatments, hormone tests, vascular risk factors, and any prostate or pelvic surgery. The goal is to confirm that ED is unlikely to improve with simpler tools.
Are Expectations Realistic
An IPP restores firmness and function, not the exact erections you had at twenty. Length, width, and sensation are limited by your current anatomy and tissue health.
Is Surgery Safe And Worthwhile
He reviews heart and lung status, diabetes control, smoking, medications, and prior pelvic surgery. Infection risk and healing ability matter a lot for this device.
Only when all three areas make sense does an implant move to the top of the list.
The Surgery Step By Step
IPP surgery happens in a hospital or surgery center under anesthesia.
Typical Steps:
- You arrive, check in, and meet the anesthesia team.
- After you are asleep or fully numb from the waist down, Dr. Libby makes a small incision, usually at the base of the penis or in the scrotal area.
- He measures the erection chambers, places the cylinders, positions the reservoir in the pelvis, and places the pump in the scrotum.
- All parts are connected, filled with sterile fluid, tested, and then left deflated.
- The incision is closed and dressed.
Most men go home the same day or after one night of observation, depending on health and local protocol.
Recovery And Activation
Recovery Has A Few Phases.
First Week Or Two
- Swelling and bruising of the scrotum and penis
- Discomfort that improves with pain medicine and time
- Limited activity, no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise
Next Several Weeks
- Gradual reduction in swelling
- Return to normal walking and desk work
- Follow up visits to check healing
Most surgeons wait four to six weeks before full activation and sexual activity. At that visit, Dr. Libby teaches you and, if you prefer, your partner how to pump and deflate the device.
The more you practice, the more natural the steps feel.
Risks And Possible Problems
Ipp Surgery Has Good Safety Data, But Risk Never Reaches Zero. Known Issues Include:
Infection
Infection is the most serious problem and can require removal of the device. Modern implants use antibiotic coatings and careful sterile technique to lower this risk.
Mechanical Failure
The device is a hydraulic system. Over many years, parts can wear out or leak and may need revision surgery. Large series show most devices work for many years, with many lasting beyond ten years.
Pain Or Scar Tissue
Some men notice chronic discomfort or curvature, especially if Peyronie’s disease is present.
Erosion Or Position Problems
Rarely, device parts can move or wear into nearby tissue.
Dr. Libby explains these risks in plain language and relates them to your health profile before you decide.
How Implants Compare With Other ED Treatments
During An ED Visit, Dr. Libby Usually Lines Up Your Choices. The Implant Sits At The Far End Of The Pathway.
- Pills: Helpful for many men with mild to moderate ED, less helpful after some prostate surgeries or with severe vascular disease.
- Injections and vacuum devices: Effective for many men who no longer respond to tablets, but they require preparation before each sexual encounter and some men dislike the feel or routine.
- Wave therapy and hormone treatment: Support tissue health and libido in selected cases, especially when low testosterone is present, but do not fix severe structural ED by themselves.
- Inflatable implant: Surgical, permanent, and mechanical. High satisfaction, the most reliable way to get an erection on demand, and no need for pills or needles before sex.
The right choice depends on your goals, your health, and how far you want to go to restore sexual function.
IPP Care At Riverstone Urology
Riverstone Urology serves men from North Houston, Cypress, The Woodlands or a nearby community.
If you have lived with ED for years, tried standard treatments, and still feel stuck, schedule a visit with Dr. Libby. The first step is an honest conversation about what you want your sex life to look like and whether an inflatable penis prosthesis fits that picture.
Riverstone Urology Specialists is the private urology practice of Russell P. Libby, MD, a board certified urologist serving adults in Cypress.
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