Men who undergo AMS 700 LGX implantation generally see measurable gains in both penile length and girth compared to their preoperative measurements, with published studies reporting roughly a 10 percent increase in length at full rigidity over the first year. The device is specifically engineered to expand in two directions, and published before-and-after data paint a more detailed picture than a single number can capture. Satisfaction rates are high for both patients and their partners, though the timeline of results, the surgical approach used, and even a patient’s mental health history all play meaningful roles in the final outcome.
What Makes the LGX Different From Other Inflatable Implants
The AMS 700 line includes several cylinder designs, but the LGX stands apart because of what it is built to do. Both the AMS 700 CX and LGX use woven Dacron fabric in their cylinders, but the CX expands only in girth when inflated, while the LGX expands in both length and girth.1PubMed. Comparative revision rates of inflatable penile prostheses using woven Dacron® fabric cylinders That dual-expansion capability is the reason the LGX gets singled out in discussions about preserving or restoring penile dimensions after implant surgery. When you inflate it, the cylinders physically elongate within the penis, rather than simply becoming rigid at whatever length they were sized to.
This matters because men with erectile dysfunction often experience some degree of penile shortening over time, and the surgery itself can sometimes leave patients feeling shorter than they were before the problem started. The LGX was designed with that concern front and center.
Measured Dimensional Changes After Surgery
The most commonly cited before-and-after data come from studies that tracked stretched flaccid penile length and length at full inflation (called P100, meaning 100 percent device stiffness) at several points after surgery. In a study of 45 men with a median age of 61, length at full rigidity increased by an average of about 1.3 centimeters from baseline to 12 months, a roughly 10 percent gain.2PubMed Central. Implantation of AMS 700 LGX penile prosthesis preserves penile length without the need for penile lengthening procedures Stretched flaccid length also improved between the 6-month and 12-month checkpoints, suggesting that the tissues continue to adapt to the device well past the initial recovery window.
A Korean study echoed those findings with its own cohort. Men started with a mean stretched flaccid length of about 11.1 centimeters before surgery. At 3 months it had risen to roughly 11.9 centimeters, at 6 months to 12.0, and at 12 months to 12.2 centimeters, with improvements at every time point reaching statistical significance.3PubMed Central. Experience with AMS 700 LGX penile prostheses for preserving penile length in Korea No intraoperative or perioperative complications were reported in that study, though one patient developed an infection and ten experienced mechanical failure during longer-term follow-up.
What stands out across both studies is that length preservation and modest length gain are the realistic expectation, not dramatic transformation. The LGX does not add inches out of thin air. It unfurls tissue that has lost elasticity and gives it a mechanical scaffold to stretch against over time. Patients who go in expecting restoration to their pre-ED dimensions tend to do well; those expecting something far beyond that are more likely to feel disappointed.
What Postoperative Vacuum Therapy Can Add
Some surgeons prescribe a vacuum erection device (VED) as part of the rehabilitation protocol after LGX implantation, and the before-and-after numbers in studies that include vacuum therapy tend to be more impressive. In one study where patients used a VED after surgery, the median stretched penile length went from 14 centimeters preoperatively to 17 centimeters by the end of the study period, and girth went from 9 centimeters to 11 centimeters.4International Journal of Impotence Research. Postoperative vacuum therapy following AMS™ LGX 700® inflatable penile prosthesis placement: penile dimension outcomes and overall satisfaction Those are notably larger gains than what the implant-only studies report.
It is worth flagging that studies combining the LGX with vacuum therapy are measuring a combined intervention, not the device alone. Still, if your surgeon recommends a postoperative VED protocol, the available evidence suggests it can meaningfully amplify the dimensional benefits of the implant. The key is consistency with the regimen over the weeks and months following surgery.
Patient and Partner Satisfaction
Before-and-after results are not just about a tape measure. The psychological and relational dimensions of living with an implant matter at least as much for long-term quality of life, and the satisfaction data for AMS inflatable prostheses are generally strong. In one survey of 78 patients and their partners, roughly 69 percent of patients said they never had problems using the prosthesis and considered themselves satisfied, while 90 percent of partners said the same.5PubMed. Patient and partner satisfaction after AMS inflatable penile prosthesis implant When asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale, about 79 percent of patients and 82 percent of partners scored a 7 or higher out of 10.
Partners consistently rate satisfaction higher than patients themselves. That gap is worth noticing, because one of the most common anxieties men have before surgery is how a partner will react to the device. The data suggest partners tend to adapt well and value the restored ability to have penetrative sex.
A separate mixed-methods study explored what drives satisfaction more deeply. Among the roughly 79 percent of men who reported being satisfied, the most frequently cited reasons fell into two equally weighted categories: psychological benefits (including improved self-esteem, confidence, and sense of male identity) and improved sexual function (including the ability to achieve penetration and better erectile rigidity).6PubMed. Why Are Men Satisfied or Dissatisfied with Penile Implants? A Mixed Method Study on Satisfaction with Penile Prosthesis Implantation Relationship improvements and giving pleasure to a partner also surfaced as themes, though less frequently. The takeaway is that for most men, the “after” experience is defined more by restored confidence and function than by specific centimeters gained.
How the Surgical Approach Affects Outcomes
The AMS 700 LGX can be implanted through two main approaches: infrapubic (an incision at the base of the penis, above the scrotum) and penoscrotal (an incision where the penis meets the scrotum). Both work, but they produce some differences that are relevant to before-and-after results.
A comparative study found that the infrapubic approach allowed surgeons to place longer cylinders without rear tip extenders. The cylinder length without extenders averaged about 18 centimeters via the infrapubic route compared to about 16.6 centimeters via the penoscrotal route.7The Journal of Sexual Medicine. (803) Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Surgery: Does the Approach Matter? The infrapubic approach also required fewer rear tip extenders and was significantly faster, averaging about 94 minutes versus 120 minutes for the penoscrotal technique. Complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Why does cylinder length matter? The LGX expands in length as a percentage of its size. A longer cylinder has more room to elongate when fully inflated. So the surgical approach is not just about how the surgeon gets in; it can influence the potential range of length expansion after the device is activated. Not every patient is a candidate for the infrapubic approach, so the choice depends on anatomy, surgeon training, and clinical judgment.
Why Cylinder Sizing Matters More Than You Might Think
One of the most consequential decisions in the entire surgery happens during the operation itself, when the surgeon selects the cylinder size after measuring the internal corporal bodies. The temptation, naturally, is to go as large as possible. But the evidence strongly cautions against oversizing.
Inserting a cylinder that is too large for the corporal space can produce an S-shaped deformity, where the device buckles inside the penis because it does not have room to sit straight. Oversized cylinders often do not inflate or cycle properly, and multiple studies have linked aggressive oversizing to persistent penile pain and a higher risk of the device eroding through tissue.8International Journal of Impotence Research. Optimizing cylinder selection in inflatable penile prosthesis surgery: a narrative review In those cases, the cylinder needs to be replaced with a correctly sized one, adding another surgery to the patient’s timeline.
This is one area where realistic expectations directly protect your outcome. A skilled surgeon will choose a cylinder that fits the anatomy, not one that pushes the boundaries of it. The LGX’s built-in expansion capacity is meant to do the length work over time. Forcing extra millimeters at the point of implantation can backfire in ways that are painful and expensive to fix.
Long-Term Durability and Mechanical Survival
An inflatable penile prosthesis is a mechanical device, and mechanical devices eventually wear out. Understanding the durability timeline is part of the “after” picture for anyone considering the procedure. A long-term study tracking 74 patients at a median follow-up of just over 8 years found that the mechanical survival rate of inflatable prostheses was about 93 percent at 5 years, roughly 77 percent at 10 years, and about 65 percent at 15 years.9PubMed Central. Long-term survival and patient satisfaction with inflatable penile prosthesis for the treatment of erectile dysfunction The most common mechanical failure was cylinder leakage, which accounted for about 8 percent of cases. Overall survival, which includes both mechanical and non-mechanical failures like infection and erosion, was about 89 percent at 5 years and 60 percent at 15 years.
A systematic comparison of the AMS 700 and its main competitor, the Coloplast Titan, found that durability and prosthesis survival were similar between the two brands. The Coloplast device showed slightly greater resistance to forces simulating penetration and gravity in bench testing, but overall satisfaction was high for both, and head-to-head clinical comparisons remain inconsistent.10PubMed Central. A Comparison Between AMS 700 and Coloplast Titan: A Systematic Literature Review For most patients, the choice between the two brands comes down to surgeon familiarity and specific anatomical considerations rather than a clear winner on durability.
What this means practically is that most men can expect their device to last a decade or more, but they should plan for the possibility of a revision surgery at some point in their lifetime. Revisions are a known part of the long-term implant journey, not a sign that something went wrong.
Infection Prevention and the InhibiZone Coating
Infection is the most feared complication of any implant surgery, and it usually means the device has to come out entirely. AMS addressed this risk by developing an antibiotic-impregnated coating called InhibiZone, which combines rifampin and minocycline on the surface of the prosthesis.
A large-scale analysis comparing implants with and without the antibiotic coating found a significant reduction in infection-related revision surgery: roughly 1.1 percent of men with impregnated implants underwent revision for infection over up to 7.7 years of follow-up, compared to 2.5 percent of men with non-impregnated implants.11PubMed. Long-term infection outcomes after original antibiotic impregnated inflatable penile prosthesis implants: up to 7.7 years of followup The difference was statistically significant on survival analysis.
The benefit becomes more dramatic in men at higher risk of infection, such as those undergoing revision surgery or those with diabetes. A study from Taiwan found that the overall infection rate dropped from about 9.6 percent with conventional prostheses to roughly 2.6 percent with InhibiZone devices. In the high-risk subgroup specifically, the rate fell from 25 percent to about 5.6 percent, and in revision cases, it dropped from about 33 percent to roughly 8 percent.12Urological Science. Benefits of antibiotic-impregnated inflatable penile prosthesis in patients at high risk of infection in Taiwan For men with common etiologies of erectile dysfunction (the lowest-risk group), the infection rate went to zero with InhibiZone.
These coatings are now essentially standard on AMS devices, but it is still worth confirming with your surgeon. If you have diabetes, have had a prior implant, or carry other infection risk factors, the coating makes an especially large difference in your expected outcome.
How Anxiety and Depression Shape Surgical Results
One of the less discussed before-and-after factors is mental health. A large population-level study examining over 15,000 men who underwent inflatable penile prosthesis surgery found that roughly 21 percent had a documented history of anxiety or depression. Those men faced notably worse outcomes across several measures.13PubMed. What is the impact of anxiety and depression on penile prosthesis outcomes? A population-level assessment
Within the first 90 days after surgery, men with anxiety or depression had a 79 percent higher risk of infection and a 42 percent higher risk of needing reoperation compared to matched controls without those conditions. Over the longer term, they also experienced a 33 percent higher risk of mechanical failure and reached device failure sooner. The mechanisms are not entirely clear, though possibilities include differences in wound healing, immune response, medication interactions, and adherence to postoperative protocols.
This does not mean men with anxiety or depression should avoid the surgery. But it does argue for having mental health treated and optimized before the procedure, and for closer follow-up afterward. If you are managing depression or anxiety, raising it with your surgical team can help them plan your recovery with those risks in mind. Ignoring the connection does not make it go away; acknowledging it gives you and your surgeon a better shot at a smooth outcome.
The Timeline of Recovery and Realistic Expectations
If there is one theme that runs through the before-and-after literature on the AMS 700 LGX, it is that the “after” keeps evolving for at least a year. Most surgeons activate the device around 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery, and initial use involves daily inflation and deflation cycles to stretch the surrounding tissue and help the patient learn the pump mechanism. Early on, inflation may feel tight, the penis may not look as long as hoped, and discomfort can dampen enthusiasm.
The data from the length studies make clear that 6 months is too early to judge the final result. Stretched flaccid length continued to improve between 6 and 12 months in the primary LGX preservation study, and length at full inflation showed the same trend.2PubMed Central. Implantation of AMS 700 LGX penile prosthesis preserves penile length without the need for penile lengthening procedures Patients who judge the device at 3 months are seeing an incomplete picture. The tissue remodeling that allows the LGX cylinders to reach their full expansion potential takes time, and regular cycling of the device is what drives that process forward.
Satisfaction scores tell a similar story. In the same study, scores on the desire domain and overall satisfaction scales improved significantly between 6 and 12 months. Interestingly, scores on a separate treatment satisfaction inventory did not improve over that same window, hinting that some aspects of the experience plateau earlier than others. Desire and confidence kept climbing; perception of the device as a medical treatment stayed about the same.
For men weighing this surgery, the practical lesson is straightforward: commit to the full rehabilitation protocol, keep using the pump as directed, and do not write the experience off based on how things feel in the first few months. The device was designed to work with your body over time, and the published data consistently show that it does.