Sometimes a man’s unrealistic (and often unarticulated) expectations will sabotage a technically perfect operation. Some doctors require all patients to be psychologically evaluated in the hopes of identifying just such patients.

An example of this problem is Zachary, a 53-year-old diabetic who had been divorced for many years. He was convinced his potency problem was to blame for his nonexistent social life. If he got himself into an intimate situation with a woman, he was afraid he would be “discovered.” Zachary was convinced that once his potency was restored his problems interacting with women would be over. He could not admit to himself that his social difficulties were long-standing and preceded his potency problem.

Unfortunately, Zachary kept his hopes of a personality transformation completely private. He told his doctor that he wanted the surgery so he could have intercourse again. In terms of his health and general physical condition, Zachary appeared to be a good candidate for the operation. And as far as his doctor knew, he had realistic expectations.

The operation went without a hitch. During the recovery, however, Zachary complained of a great deal of pain. After several weeks, the pain subsided, but he was still displeased. He referred to the implant as “that thing.” Nothing was right. Finally, quite upset, he let his hidden expectations come to light. He had expected the implant to take away his social ineptness and fear of women and make him a different man. Instead, after the operation he was the same man, except he was able to get an erection. And he was bitterly disappointed.

After several months, Zachary demanded to have his implant removed. He resisted all advice to get psychological and sex therapy to help him with his problems. Looking back on Zachary’s situation, it’s clear that he would have fared much better if counseling had helped him first develop his social skills, overcome his shyness and become more comfortable around women. Then his decision to get an implant would have been based on a desire to have intercourse—not on a wish to change his personality.

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• CONTRACEPTION AFTER CHILDBIRTH – THE IMMEDIATE PUERPERIUM (INTRODUCTION)
• THE SECOND BABY – GRADUAL PROGRESSION
• COUNSELLING THE PATIENT WITH THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY – GENERAL INFORMATION
• CARE OF THE YOUNGER PATIENT – SEXUAL INTERCOURSE FOR A GIRL
• THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERS – MISS C. (INSTANCE)
• POTENCY IMPROVING: SELF-HELP PROGRAM
• BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA ( BPH)
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• SEX AND THE OPERATING TABLE: REASON FOR THE OPERATION