February 21, 2023
Tarek Elhor
Founder of Brussels Surgical · Anesthesiologist and Aesthetic Physician
Penoplasty is a procedure that can help some men regain their self-confidence and overcome insecurities. It is designed to increase the length and girth of the male genital organ. This enhancement can be achieved through cosmetic surgery or a non-surgical medical procedure. Each option has its own advantages and limitations. Below, we explain both approaches in detail to help you choose the one that best fits your needs and expectations.
Penis size is a common source of insecurity among men, even though it has no real correlation with sexual performance. On average, a flaccid penis measures 9 cm in length and between 12 and 15 cm when erect. The average girth is 9 cm at rest and 11.5 cm during erection.
For reference, a micropenis is defined as less than 7 cm when erect and less than 4 cm at rest. This condition affects less than 3 percent of the male population. In all other cases, size differences are not linked to any physiological disorder.
However, some men may experience deep psychological distress over this issue, which can impact both their social and sexual lives. If you feel affected by this kind of insecurity, penoplasty is a procedure that may help. It is now a common treatment in both cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, aimed at increasing the length and girth of the penis.
You may choose to enhance either length, girth, or both at the same time. Until a few years ago, surgical penoplasty was the only option. Today, there is also a medical alternative involving injections of hyaluronic acid. Below, we explain the benefits and limitations of both techniques.
Surgical penoplasty varies depending on whether the goal is elongation or enlargement. You may request both procedures during the same operation.
To increase length, the procedure involves cutting the suspensory ligament of the penis. The purpose is to release the internal portion of the penis, making it appear longer in its flaccid state. It does not affect the length of the penis during erection.
For girth enhancement, the procedure involves fat transfer. The surgeon will first perform liposuction on a donor area of your body where fat is available, typically the buttocks, thighs, or abdomen. This fat is then injected into the penis, between the glans and the shaft, in small areas to create a smooth, harmonious result.
The main advantage of surgical penoplasty is the durability of the results. You will not need additional procedures to maintain the effects of fat grafting or ligament release.
On average, you can expect to gain 2 to 3 cm in girth and 2 to 5 cm in length at rest. Another benefit is that the technique uses your own body fat, making it a natural solution with no foreign substances.
One of the most common issues with surgical penoplasty is that the results may not fully meet expectations. The surgeon has no absolute control over the final size and cannot guarantee precise outcomes.
If the girth enhancement is insufficient, a second fat injection can sometimes be performed. After the fat transfer, irregularities or small fat nodules may appear on the penis. These are not painful or problematic for intimacy, but some patients find them aesthetically unappealing.
Such issues are more likely if the procedure is performed by a surgeon without specific experience in penoplasty, but they can often be corrected with a secondary injection.
Medical penoplasty is similar in technique to the fat transfer used in surgical penoplasty, but instead of fat, hyaluronic acid is injected beneath the skin of the penis.
The procedure is quick and performed after applying a topical anesthetic cream.
This procedure is fast, taking around 30 minutes, and carries minimal risks. It is also more affordable. No anesthesia or fat harvesting is required. The procedure can be performed by a physician, not necessarily a surgeon.
It is minimally invasive, requires no incisions, and has a short recovery period. It is also less painful than surgical penoplasty. Results are visible immediately after the procedure.
You can expect a gain of 3 to 5 cm in girth at rest, and slightly more when erect.
However, hyaluronic acid injections do not offer permanent results. This makes it a good option for testing whether penile enlargement helps alleviate your insecurities. The effects last between 6 and 12 months.
If you are satisfied, the procedure can be repeated annually. As with surgical penoplasty, irregularities may appear after the injection, although they are not always immediately visible. Small lumps may develop over time.
Choosing between surgical and medical penoplasty depends on your specific concerns, your budget, and how long you want the results to last.
Hyaluronic acid injections are a good way to test whether this kind of enhancement suits you and helps resolve your insecurities.
Surgical penoplasty is more suitable if you are looking for long-term results and want to increase the visible length of the penis in a resting state.
Our aesthetic surgery center offers both procedures. If you are unsure which option is best for you, you can schedule a consultation with one of our physicians for personalized guidance tailored to your case.
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