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Penis enlargement surgery, or male enhancement procedure, is a procedure with the goal of enhancing the size of the penis. There are several methods used to enhance the size of the penis; however, not all are safe or effective. Here are some of the known operations offered across the US.
● Himplant®
● Suspensory ligament division
● Skin grafts such as AlloDerm
● Penis fillers
● Fat injections
The following table offers a comparative analysis of some of these procedures.
ProcedureCostProcedure TypeFDA Cleared For Penis Use?Himplant®$16,000 to $20,000Surgical ImplantYesDivision of Suspensory Ligament$15,000 to $25,000SurgicalNoAlloDerm/ BellaDerm$10,000 to $15,000Surgical Graft from the cadaverNoDermal Filler/Fat Graft (Including Hyaluronic Acid)$25,000 to $30,000 (multiple treatments required)InjectionsNoFat Injections$14,000 to $30,000 (multiple treatments required)Injections(After Surgical Liposuction)No
Suspensory Ligament Division
The suspensory ligament joins the pubic bone to the base of the penis. The idea behind a suspensory ligament division is that cutting the ligament can cause the internal parts of the penis to move forward and outside of the pubic area, giving the visualization of a longer penis.
Unfortunately, this procedure is risky and ineffective. The division does not actually increase the length of the penis and may in fact retract the penis and lead to a loss of length if scar tissue forms.² As such, many urologists as well as the American Urological Association do not consider suspensory ligament division “safe or efficacious”.
Suspensory Ligament Release
Penis Enlargement with Skin Graft (AlloDerm)
Acellular dermal matrix, or AlloDerm, is graft from cadaver. AlloDerm is normally used to repair damaged sections in hernia and breast reconstruction surgeries.
AlloDerm is most successfully applied in procedures that require regenerative properties. AlloDerm has not been cleared for use in penile enhancement and can cause serious complications. AlloDerm penoplasty complications may include asymmetrical appearance of the penis, moderate to severe skin adhesion that can result in necrosis, and severe infections caused by the AlloDerm material.
Side Effects and Complications of AlloDerm:
Allograft Phalloplasty (Acellular Dermal Matrix)
• Infection
• erosion formation (insult to tissue integrity)
• ulceration (development of erosion)
• lesion formation
• inflammation
• necrosis (Fournier’s gangrene or tissue death)
• rejection of the graft
• disfiguration
V-Y Plasty (Skin Reconstruction Plasty)
• Compromised flap vascularization (Lack of vascularization)
• wound dehiscence (wound reopening)
• infection
• dorsal flap loss (skin loss)⁷
• penile reattachment to pubis (adhesions, scar tissue formation)
• alteration to angle of erection (penile curvature, shifts to orientation)
Penis Enlargement with Skin Graft (AlloDerm)
Penile Enhancement Fillers
Penile enhancement fillers include gel injections, PMMA injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and fat grafts. While some of these materials may be approved for use elsewhere on the body, none of them are approved for penile use.
Because filler materials are reabsorbed by the body, they can potentially lead to severe deformities, asymmetrical penile appearance, and permanent skin damage. They do not impact the length and can only temporarily increase girth.
Side Effects and Complications of Penile Enhancement Fillers:
Hyaluronic Acid Injection (Soft Tissue Filler)
• Substandard augmentation (below standard results)
• Deep vascular compromise
• excessive injection of the filler (disfiguration)
• Infection
• erythema (bleeding)
• ecchymosis (bruising)
• hyperthermia (inflammation)
• swelling
• hypersensitivity
• non-inflammatory nodule formation (nodule formation, abscess formation).
Silicone Injection (Soft Tissue Filler)
• Inflammation
• delayed abscess formation
• Penile dysfunction
• ulceration (development of erosion)
• migration of filler
• disfiguration
• necrosis (Fournier’s gangrene or tissue death)
• edema (seroma)
• Penile curvature.
Penile Enhancement Fillers
Penis Enlargement with Fat Injections
For a penile fat injection, the surgeon will lipo fat tissue from a fatty portion of the patient’s body, prepare and, then inject it under the penile skin using a large needle.
Fat injections are risky. As with fillers, the body absorbs the material over time and can lead to lumps and severe deformities. Even without side effects, any girth gains are temporary, meaning the procedure needs to be repeated regularly.
Subcutaneous fat injections are not recommended by the American Urological Association (AUA).
Penis Enlargement with Fat Injections
Silicone Injection
PMMA Injection
Fat Injection
Silicone Injection
Gel Injection
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Please note that individual results may vary. The potential complications, risks, benefits, and alternatives, including no surgery, will be discussed with you at length before proceeding with any procedure.