For many men, their sense of manhood is centered around their penis. This means that any deformities or abnormalities with the penis can cause men to experience severe psychological torment and issues with their confidence. One of these cosmetic (and functional) issues that some men experience is a buried or hidden penis.
A buried penis can occur in both children and adult men and is characterized by a penis that is either only partially visible or not visible at all.
This issue can be caused by natural means (obesity, weight loss, congenital deformities) or from an overly aggressive circumcision. Often, inadequate penile skin attachment causes a buried or hidden penis because the penile shaft remains stationary while the skin moves forward, thereby concealing the penis.
Males (both children and adults) who suffer from a buried or hidden penis often experience both physical and psychological frustrations, including sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) and pain or penetration difficulties during sex, as well as low self-esteem and depression, which can cause individuals to refrain from fully participating in life (sports, dating, etc.).
While a buried or hidden penis is a very distressing physical condition, the good news is that reconstructive surgery can significantly correct this issue so that males can feel more confident with their natural appearance.
Buried or hidden penis corrective surgery is a life-changing procedure that can help males of all ages (from children to adult men) achieve a more natural penile appearance and correct many functional issues caused by this abnormality.
As the name suggests, males who suffer from this condition have a penis that is either partially visible or essentially invisible. A determining factor to classify that a penis is buried is that the penis is hidden when sitting or bending over.
If you believe that you suffer from this condition, then it is important to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alter. During your consultation, Dr. Alter will evaluate your condition to determine if corrective surgery is necessary. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your buried or hidden penis as well as the surgical procedure and recovery period.
Ideal candidates are non-smoking males who are in good general health, struggle with a buried penis and have realistic expectations about their results.
The goal of this surgical procedure is to firmly attach adequate penile skin to the erection chambers of the penis. The specific abnormality that you suffer from, as well as the specific cause of the issue (obesity, an aggressive circumcision, etc.), will determine the exact way in which Dr. Alter will approach the procedure.
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia so that you do not experience any pain, discomfort, or anxiety during your procedure.
Once the anesthesia has been administered, Dr. Alter may use liposuction to remove any excess fat in the pubic area. Excess pubic or groin skin may also be removed. Dr. Alter will then suture down the overlying skin of the pubis to the muscles. He will also stabilize the skin at the junction of the penis and scrotum to the erectile bodies of the penis itself.
For some males (especially patients who are thin), direct attachment of the skin at the junction of the penis and pubis may be necessary. Though rare, if there is inadequate penile skin, a rearrangement of scrotal or penile skin or a skin graft can be used to cover the necessary portions of the penis.
This procedure generally takes two to four hours to complete.
As with any plastic surgery procedure, every patient recovers at a different pace and experiences different levels of side effects; however, many men who undergo buried or hidden penis corrective surgery will need to take up to two weeks off of work, but some men return to work in a week.
During this time, you can expect to have some swelling, bruising, and redness in the surgical area. These side effects will dissipate over time as your body heals from the procedure.
The surgery is performed as an outpatient unless a rare skin graft is needed. You can usually walk and take care of yourself one to two days after surgery, but it is very important that you do not exert yourself at all.
Most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities in one to two weeks. It is essential that you refrain from strenuous activities for a month and sexual intercourse for about six weeks. Patients will be prescribed antibiotics and pain-management medication, but the discomfort is usually only moderate at worse.
This corrective procedure is minimally invasive surgery as there is no significant blood loss, and no major body cavities are entered.
It can take up to four to six months (or even longer) for your final penile corrective results to settle in. However, once your recovery is complete, you should feel no pain or irritation, and you will be able to maintain your genital hygiene more easily and effectively. More than anything, after your corrective procedure, you can look forward to feeling more comfortable and confident with yourself and your body. Your penis will be visible while standing and sitting.
Buried or hidden penis corrective surgery is a specialized cosmetic procedure that must be performed by a plastic surgeon who is knowledgeable about this issue and has the experience to allow you to achieve the appearance you desire. Dr. Gary J. Alter, M.D., is a rare board-certified plastic surgeon and board-certified urologist who can help you with your corrective procedure. He has developed many of the techniques used in the surgery and has published and lectured extensively about this procedure.
While not every male child or man with a buried or hidden penis will feel pain from this condition, many do experience some discomfort from having this penile abnormality. The penis may be chronically damp from urine, which causes irritation and inflammation of the penile skin. Severe buried penis can cause skin destruction and even penile skin cancer.
Though rare, every plastic surgery procedure does come with a risk of side effects and complications, including:
Buried or hidden penis correction is sometimes covered by insurance, depending on the type of policy you have. While an HMO will not cover this, a PPO insurance plan may contribute if the patient is complaining of real symptoms, including pain and discomfort. Children are more commonly covered by insurance than adults.
While many patients choose to undergo their buried or hidden penis corrective surgery as a stand-alone procedure, other men choose to combine their corrective surgery with other procedures, including liposuction surgery and/or tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) or even scrotum reduction.
Dr. Alter and the entire team are dedicated to providing every patient with exceptional individualized care—from consultation to recovery. We take the time to learn about your concerns, goals, and desires, so we can build a plan that addresses your concerns and gets you the
results you deserve.
