Short Answer: Unfortunately penile shortening is the most common complication of penis lengthening surgery (ligamentolysis).

But only if the ligaments reattach. We always use a silicone buffer to help prevent ligaments from reattaching and the penis shortening.

In a small number of cases the silicone buffer can become infected and may need to be surgically removed.

Wearing a penis extender for 8 hours per day for 1 year after surgery also helps to prevent retraction and shortening of the penis.

Make sure you are familiar with wearing a penis extender before your surgery and are convinced that wearing one for this length of time will not disrupt your normal routine.

Image of Two Pencials Shorther and Longer

Explanation:

If you don’t wear a penis extender after penis lengthening surgery, the ligaments are likely to reattach to the penis shaft, further down towards the head, making your penis shorter than before surgery.

Surgeons have tried to prevent penile shortening and reattachment by inserting plastic or Gore-tex into the gap between the penile base and the pubis, with varying levels of success.

Penis Extender Device

Before having penis lengthening surgery, first buy a penis extender, to make 100% sure you can wear it for 8-10 hours per day, as part of your normal everyday routine.   You’ll need to wear one after lengthening surgery.

Example of an Extender

“Penile shortening is a major complication of penile lengthening surgery, usually resulting from the freely hanging penis reattaching to the pubic bone located higher on the corporal bodies.  The likelihood of this complication can be minimised by the placement of surrounding soft tissues, fat tissues, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, Gore-Tex, and other artificial materials.”

Nam Cheol Park, Kim, Moon, Penile Augmentation 2016.